Category Archives: Culinary

Making macarons is not easy – anyone that tells you otherwise has either never trued making them or is lying for some reason. If some of the world’s greatest chefs admit that they often struggle to make perfect macarons, how can any of the rest of us claim otherwise?

However, the good news to come out of all this is that making decent macarons you don’t in fact intend to serve to members of the aristocracy or sell to the public doesn’t have to be an unmitigated nightmare. The basic recipe is pretty simple and so too is the process of putting the ingredients together – tasty and pretty macarons do not demand a degree in the culinary arts.

So, you may ask, why are you coming out with pure garbage pretty much every time you try? Well, the simple answer is that you’re most likely making once of a few extremely common mistakes and not even realizing it. So if you happen to be guilty of any of the following, you probably have your answer as to how and where you’re going wrong:

1 – Fresh, Cold Eggs The most common pitfall of all that’s happening all over the world right now as you’re reading this is the use of fresh eggs straight from the fridge. Any good recipe will tell you that it is preferable to use fresh egg delivery that have been -aged’ for a few days to get the right texture for your batter. It will also tell you that using eggs that aren’t at room temperature is inadvisable. Of course, some see it as easier to ignore the rules than to delay their baking any longer, so they end up with a batch of bothersome biscuits they have no use for. Ignore this tip and you’re wasting your time.

2 – Weak Whisking If you don’t give your egg whites enough time and attention with the whisk, your batter will be a disaster. This is pretty much the be all and end all of your macarons after all, so be prepared to really go for it and not stop until you know you’re on the money – even if you’re getting sore and bored. Just to coin a comparison, you’ll know you’re heading in the right direction if and when the mixture looks similar to shaving foam.

3 – Timing the Sugar Call it dull and boring all you like, but if you don’t time the adding of the sugar exactly, you’re in for a disappointment. You need to add the icing sugar – NOT icing mix – after you’ve been beating the egg whites for about 30 seconds-no more and no less. This timing is essential to ensure the right consistency, so don’t ever overlook its importance.

4 – Oven Issues About half way through the cooking process, you should open the oven door and rotate the baking trays. Why? Two reasons – one being that you need to let the excess moisture escape from the oven and the other being the importance of even cooking across the board. Ignore either and you may end up with half your macarons fit for a king and the other half not fit for the dog.

There are different types of food processors in the market. They come in different sizes, for instance, to meet the needs of different types of customers, usually those who are culinary experts or people who like to spend most of their time in the kitchen. One of the numerous reasons people buy processors is that they want to save time making food. Those who want to make quick meals may find processors extremely handy. However, there are so many brands available nowadays, that which one to buy is the question. One way to find out is by reading food processor reviews.

Food processors come in different sizes. The small ones are good, because you can easily operate and clean them. If you are preparing food for yourself only, then a small one is suitable for you. Otherwise, go for a big machine, which takes up more space and is tougher to clean. Large ones also take longer to set-up, but they can really save time and energy.

Some people simply own a compact food blender, which is very portable. However, the problem with blenders is that they have fewer features. You cannot chop onions using a food blender, but you can do that using even a small food processor. A food processor can do anything that a blender does, but the blender cannot do everything the processor does.

If you want to buy a food processor, buy one that meets your needs. If you live alone, having one big in size is probably not economical. It is not rare for homeowners to have two different types of processorsone small and one big one. Usually, it is the smaller processor that gets used more often. The bigger one is only used for special purposes, like when preparing food for a party or a special dinner with friends.

Another thing to remember is to check out food processing functions. Food processors come with slicing blades, which are useful for certain recipes. The more functions a processor has, the more kinds of recipes you can do. People who are fond of cooking should invest in processors that come with a good range of functions. If you do not spend too much time in the kitchen, consider buying a processor with limited functions, which is also cheaper.

There is a little competition between blenders and small processors. One may be more appropriate than the other for some people. A small processor is the better option for people who do a lot of chopping. A blender, on the other hand, is the better option for those who prefer having smoothies and fruit blends. So, determine what you want and decide which one will be more useful for you. Many people think that its safe to have both.

The budget is another deciding factor. If you have a limited budget, you can have a small or compact processor, which is not a bad choice, considering it is a convenient kitchen appliance. For instance, a 1-2 or 3-5 cup food processor may be good enough already.

Do not forget to read product descriptions. Good customers read several product specifications before making a purchase. Also, look at the products warranty. At the same time, find out what previous buyers say about a certain food processor by reading reviews about it. Food processor reviews provide you with more information about the product which will help in deciding which one to buy. Again, you should also consider your culinary preferences.