THE COUNTER

Understanding Eggs: Behind the Ingredients

February 25, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 3 Comments

There is a lot of freedom in knowing how key ingredients work the way they do. Leave the guesswork behind in the first of this Behind the Ingredients series where we dive into learning about the humble egg.

`Photo by Natalie Rhea Riggs on Unsplash`

THE HUMBLE, YET MIGHTY EGG

Almost all of us have eaten eggs at some point in our lives and many of us reach for the egg carton first thing in the morning. Apart from making bacon and eggs, why is it that eggs are called for in so many recipes? What is it about eggs that keep us hungry for more?

Well, for one, eggs are a complete protein checking off all the essential amino acids. Eggs also have a number of B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, minerals, and other nutrients you can easily look up online. They’re nutritious, they keep us full, and they’re relatively inexpensive.

We don’t usually think about these things when we fry, scramble, or poach these edible gems. They’re humble in that they’re depended on, yet overlooked. When’s the last time you’ve been grateful for eggs? During rationing in WWII, eggs were a precious commodity and unless folks kept their own chickens, dried egg powder took the forefront. Gross. Indeed, eggs are humble, but they’re also mighty.

RELATED: Sauerkraut and Bacon Quiche

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Lacto-Fermented Chilli Lemon Carrot Sticks

February 21, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 2 Comments

Tangy lacto-fermented chilli lemon carrot sticks make a tasty probiotic-rich snack and have just enough kick. Learn how to make this easy small-batch ferment and prepare yourself to get addicted!

making lacto-fermented chilli lemon carrot sticks

FERMENTED CARROTS: THE PERFECT SNACK

Not to knock regular carrot sticks, but lacto-fermented chilli lemon carrot sticks are a whole other ball game.

Do you know how carrots are brimming with vitamins? Well, fermenting them not only gives carrots a vitamin booster but also enriches them with probiotics.

Probiotics are key for a healthy gut and help to strengthen the immune system. Also, did I mention that they’re more delicious?

Lacto-fermented chilli lemon carrot sticks are still raw, which is why there are so many amazing benefits. Depending on how long you ferment them, the carrot sticks retain their crunch factor but are easier to chew.

My toddler has a hard time eating regular carrot sticks, but he has no problem when they’re fermented. In fact, he likes them more! And why wouldn’t he? They’re tangy and flavourful.

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How do I Quarter a Chicken?

February 14, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 8 Comments

Buying and quartering a whole chicken is a lot more economical than picking up a couple of chicken breasts. When you make the switch from purchasing pieces to a whole bird, the question needs to be asked: How do I quarter a chicken?

kefir brined chicken on carrots and onions

READY, SET, QUARTER

So you went to the grocery store and bought a whole chicken, now what?

First off, look at you, you savvy shopper! Buying a whole chicken is a much more economical option in the long run because you can get three or four meals out of it and you won’t need to buy chicken broth if you make your own.

There are so many options when you bring home a whole chicken.

One route to go is throwing it in a roaster with some veggies, herbs, and salt and pepper, like my paprika roast chicken recipe.

Another is to quarter up the bird for more meal variety and more flavourful stock. Let’s take a look at what we will need to get started.

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Making Sauerkraut from Scratch for Beginners

January 31, 2020 by Sylvia Rose 18 Comments

Making sauerkraut from scratch is not only a rewarding experience it is also fairly easy to do. If you’re new to the traditional art of fermentation, homemade sauerkraut is a great place to start. Let’s get started!

RECLAIMING A LOST SKILL

Before modern conveniences like refrigerators and freezers found a place in every home, folks needed a way to preserve their harvest.

While root cellars were excellent for storing potatoes, squash and other hardy produce, a lot would have gone to waste without a means of preservation.

Fermentation is an art that goes way back and is a means to preserve produce, dairy, and even fish.

Today it’s a skill that is slowly being reclaimed, although in some parts of the world it still lives strong (ex. Korea’s totally healthy obsession with kimchi).

Related: How to Make Milk Kefir

While you can ferment pretty much anything, today we’ll be looking at how to make sauerkraut from scratch.

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Sweet Shortcrust Pastry Dough aka Pâte Sucrée

January 17, 2020 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Sweet shortcrust pastry dough, or, pâte sucrée, is a classic French recipe that is perfect for tarts. Richer than a standard shortcrust pastry, it is sweet, buttery, and good to the last crumb.

FOR THE BEST TARTS, MAKE A SWEET SHORTCRUST PASTRY DOUGH

The crust, next to the filling, is arguably the most important part of any tart or pie.

A good filling can redeem a bad crust, but why have a sad crust in the first place? They’re not hard to make!

Let me tell you, though, I’m a happy camper whenever I dig into a tart to discover a sweet shortcrust pastry crust.

Pâte sucrée (what I call it at home) is practically a dessert in itself, tasting almost like a cookie.

This makes for one decadent slice that most folks will gobble right up. So? What’s the secret behind it tasting so darn good?

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The Best German Christmas Treats

December 10, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 14 Comments

German Christmas treats like lebkuchen and marzipan make excellent stocking stuffers. Served on a platter, they make it especially easy to surprise and delight guests with something special and sweet.

a plate of the best german christmas treats

THE BEST GERMAN CHRISTMAS TREATS: A ROUNDUP

Growing up, Christmas was always a special affair.

Christmas is that time of year where my German heritage really shines with old world traditions being passed on down the generations.

From the decor to the festivities on the 24th, one thing is always a given during the holidays, and that’s the German Christmas treats.

All of these treats are store bought and can be found at almost any German or European delicatessen this time of year.

One of my goals is to learn how to make all of these from scratch, but in the meantime, I will keep enjoying these once-a-year goodies.

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