PreGel AMERICA announced the launch of Industrial Flavors to its versatile product lines. The line presents a variety of bulk flavors to professionals in the food business and adds an eighth line to the company’s many dessert ingredient solutions. The products featured are highly concentrated, powdered flavorings ideal for ice cream pints, private label franchise… Read more »
One of the most important holidays in India, Diwali, or “festival of lights,” is a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Following the Hindu calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November. Indians decorate their homes, set off firecrackers at night, and exchange sweets between family and friends, including Kesar Burfi (cashew nuts… Read more »
With so many uses for every part of the coconut, there’s no wonder why the coconut palm tree is known as “the tree of life.”1 A widely used fruit, the coconut is a staple food that has sustained many generations around the world.2 The coconut’s meat, milk, water and oil contribute naturally toward health and… Read more »
Some of my fondest childhood memories stem from spending hours in the kitchen with my Italian aunts and grandparents, baking sweet treats we would share on special occasions or just for dessert after Sunday dinner. At the time,there wasn’t much of a concern that the desserts we made were healthy; they just had to look… Read more »
Chef Frederic Hawecker conducted his first 5-Star Pastry SeriesTM seminar at PreGel AMERICA’s Professional Training Center on February 19-21, 2013. Chef Hawecker inspired attendees with unique flavor combinations resulting in a stunning buffet. Step-by-step, Chef Hawecker explained and demonstrated the techniques needed to create each component in his recipes. During the demo, individual students were… Read more »
Gelato’s undeniable popularity is international. It’s Europe’s crowned artisanal frozen delicacy, and North America is becoming more and more saturated in the sweet waves of authentic gelato and delightful swirls of soft serve. The magnitude of the dessert’s notoriety has gained a solid presence inside the borders of our northern neighbor, Canada, thanks to flourishing… Read more »
If the culinary world had a boxing match, the headliner would be fresh ingredients versus powdered/concentrate ingredients. Trending are locally sourced, organic ingredients, which we can all appreciate, but are the alternatives really all that bad? In the culinary world, every ingredient out there serves a purpose. Today’s underdogs, the powders, concentrates and innovative ingredients… Read more »
A quick inhale of the distinct citrus aroma of pink grapefruit and within seconds it invigorates the senses. Wafts of clean, refreshing sweetness with just the right amount of tangy tartness create an alluring scent that is only matched by the delicate blushed flesh the tropical fruit brings to the table time and time again…. Read more »
A breakfast buffet sure to make anyone an early riser. (To download the poster as a whole, click here.) Method of Preparation One day before baking: 1. Bring the eggs and milk to 65°F/18°C. Place all of the ingredients, except the butter, in the bowl of a five quart mixer. Mix with a dough hook… Read more »
It’s true, consumers eat with their eyes. That’s why it’s extremely helpful to have good photographs to showcase your products. It’s like adding curb appeal to your menu; the more delicious and mouthwatering an entrée appears, the more likely it is that people will order it. Fortunately, with the advancement in camera technology you don’t… Read more »
Try as it might, the thin beige shell of a ripe pistachio nut is utterly plain compared to the goodness it surrounds. In fact, the pistachio itself at first glance could be considered modest; the nut’s crunch is unaggressive, the flavor is subtle and the texture is creamy; even its pale green color is a… Read more »
The world of pastries and desserts is a world of intrigue and craftsmanship. Desserts have been around for ages; and yet, they continue to evolve through time as chefs and dessert makers become more and more creative and daring in their ingredients and methods. Some of these creations are truly works of art, created from… Read more »
First, what is yogurt? According to culturesforhealth.com “yogurt is the product of beneficial bacteria fermenting milk and turning it into a thickened, acidic food that will stay fresh longer than milk itself, and that contains millions of bacteria that are welcomed by the human digestive system.” Yogurt is produced using two primary forms of bacteria…. Read more »
Pushing peas around the dinner plate and sneaking Brussels sprouts to the family pet have both been despairing and time-consuming activities at numerous American dinner tables throughout the years. Such traditional behavior could be due to the average American consumer not associating vegetables as a “mouthwatering treat,” but a “boring obligation” to be endured for… Read more »
DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients together. Blend with immersion blender Pasteurize the mix at 85°C/185°F. Pour in batch freezer and freeze. DIRECTIONS Preheat waffle cone maker. Whisk together egg and egg white; whisk in sugar and beat until sugar has dissolved and egg mixture is frothy—about 1 minute. Add flour and whisk until completely incorporated and… Read more »
DIRECTIONS In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, add butter, egg yolks, eggs and 5-Star Chef Pastry Select Vanilla Compound. Mix until evenly incorporated. Add PreGel Frollis and almond flour; mix just until it comes together. Remove from mixing bowl and knead until smooth. Allow to rest for 10 minutes in refrigerator. Roll to… Read more »
We have all experienced one time or another walking into a place of business and having to interrupt what seems like a personal conversation to ask for assistance or to simply check out. When this happens we walk away feeling like we weren’t welcome at that establishment, that customer service was lacking and maybe even… Read more »
Peanuts are the preferred nut of Americans and they are everywhere! Americans consume over 600 million pounds of peanuts annually, according to The National Peanut Board, but how much do they really know about them? Peanuts can be described in a plethora of ways. Legume is the most technical option, given that the pod usually… Read more »
In 2011, PreGel AMERICA hosted four 5-Star Pastry Ambassador demonstrations in select cities including: • New York, NY, featuring Ron Paprocki, executive pastry chef of Gordon Ramsey at The London, and Jerome Landrieu, director of the Chicago Chocolate Academy • San Francisco, CA, featuring Michael Gillet, executive pastry chef of Valley View Casino • Washington,… Read more »
First, imagine a dream as the seed of an acorn; and to make that dream sprout it would need to be nurtured with the water and oxygen of resolute ambition combined with unrelenting will. Now visualize a young, thirty-two-year-old Italian man armed with a wealth of knowledge and passion about the Italian delicacy that shaped… Read more »
The word “fat” immediately conjures negative thoughts for most people. In reality, fats are an inescapable, necessary and often healthy part of a balanced diet. The key is to identify the types of fats found in our foods, and to recognize that some are far better than others from a health perspective. While the body… Read more »
It’s not hard to figure out why an introverted flower, which is commonly referred to as a fruit, has been revered by mankind since the beginning of civilized existence. Although July through September is the fresh market season for this succulent crop, there’s never a bad time to discuss the addictive fig. Figure These Facts… Read more »
Three Ts that have created the success of PreGel’s Professional Training Center PreGel AMERICA’s Professional Training Center (TC) has been instructing dessert-preneurs and professionals since 2005. It is certified by the American Culinary Federation and recently brought in some of the world’s best pastry chefs as instructors. Accomplishing that much in its six young years… Read more »
Once upon a time, during an era not too long ago known as the twentieth century, the blackberry was more synonymous with the delicious, edible fruit than the technological device used for the purpose of electronic communication. Today, the good news for zealous connoisseurs and cooks alike is that the blackberry fruit is still an… Read more »
Drinkable desserts are a go-to favorite when it comes to choosing a lighter dessert fare in restaurants these days. This new twist on plated-desserts is making its presence known in the pastry world and is climbing the list of hot trends.1 With endless possibilities for beverage and flavor combinations, there is something to please every… Read more »
The perfect food of your dreams is back and better than ever. With nostalgia reigning supreme among culinary trends since the late 2000s, it was only a matter of time before pies came back into vogue. For one, they are exceptionally practical; for another, they are infinitely customizable and seasonal. As if you needed more… Read more »
Standard Inventory Management Terms First, it is important to understand frequently used inventory terminology and definitions: Cycle Count: A periodic count of all supplies and inventories. Reorder Point (ROP): The inventory level at which a new order should be placed. Economic Order Quantity (EOQ): The quantity to order once the reorder point is reached. Minimum… Read more »
While most often found scrambled, poached, boiled, deviled, coddled or fried, the egg is a staple part of our diets and is also a key component in pastries and frozen desserts. How humans identified eggs for their nutritious benefits and functions in the kitchen is somewhat of a mystery—likely a result of trial and error… Read more »
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in America who doesn’t know what vanilla is. It’s the best-selling flavor of ice cream with a segment share of 27.8%, according to a recent study by the NPD Group.To put that in perspective, the next best-selling flavor is chocolate with 14.3%, followed by strawberry and chocolate chip,… Read more »
To think of vanilla as a simple, basic flavor is to highly underestimate its complexities and sophistication. From the great lengths we go to in harvesting vanilla beans, to the broad range of flavor intensities and distinct properties, it is clear that true vanilla is fit for the finest of palates. To satisfy the wide… Read more »
Gelato has been a frozen dessert delighting many for thousands of years, and is the original muse for modern treats such as American ice cream, custards and today’s froyo. With the zeal of American gelaterias like Ciao Gelato and Cold Spoons Gelato, as well as passion-driven ice cream retailers like OwowCow Creamery, it is no… Read more »
Sublime curves, brilliant, eye-popping colors, artisan-crafted elements that defy the logics of physics – all of these and more are among the elements of well-crafted chocolate sculptures. Chocolate architecture is as popular as ever today, and it is finding its way into everything from simple cake adornments to complex structures presented at the most trendy… Read more »
Directions: Chocolate Mousse Whip PreGel Ovissimo (Pasteurized Egg Yolks) to ribbon stage. Whip heavy cream to soft peaks. Melt the dark chocolate. Heat milk and place in a bowl; whisk in PreGel Textura (Mousse Base– Gelatin Replacement), PreGel Cacaopat Traditional Paste (Chocolate – Unsweet) and dark chocolate. Fold in the whipped PreGel Ovissimo (Pasteurized Egg… Read more »
The pastry chefs of New York City continue to thrive and make headlines, and such was case the moment Ron Paprocki of Gordon Ramsay at the London, NY, was named the 2010 StarChefs.com International Pastry Competition winner. Presenting the final round elements that included a chocolate showpiece, bonbons and an entremet, Chef Paprocki found himself… Read more »
To many people, lavender represents the delicate color of light purple, and its scent can evoke thoughts of a warm summer evening breeze and colorful fields of wildflowers. Whatever the thought may be, the sweet-scented flowering plant of the mint family has much more to offer than warm thoughts and pretty visuals. The Lavandula plant… Read more »
Directions: Meringue Bring water to a boil; remove from heat; add rosemary leaves and allow to steep for 10 minutes; strain rosemary from water. In a mixing bowl fitted with a whip attachment, add sugar and water. Whip until sugar is dissolved. Add PreGel Albumissimo (Egg White Base) and whip until stiff peaks are… Read more »
Directions: Place milk and yogurt in a large mixing container, preferably twice as large as the amount you are mixing. In a bowl, mix sugar, PreGel Yoggi 30® Powdered Flavor (Yogurt – KSA Dairy) and PreGel Fruttosa® (Water & Milk Base). With an immersion mixer, blend liquid ingredients while slowly adding the powders. Add PreGel… Read more »
The PreGel Training Center kicked off the 2010 5-Star Chef Series with amazing talent in February. True forces in the industry, Master Chocolatier Jean-Pierre Wybauw and MOF Olivier Bajard led dynamic 5-Star Chef Series seminars on the Art of Chocolates and Bonbons, and Techniques for Entremets and Tarts. “It was a pleasure to refine my… Read more »
A store’s window display can make all the difference to someone walking past, urging them to walk in and experience all the store has to offer. Seasonally decorated gelato has the same alluring effect. Be it Easter, Mother’s Day or the 4th of July, gelato decorated to the nines for that month’s festive holiday inevitably… Read more »
Eureka is not only a well-known term proclaiming the triumph of discovery, it’s also a type of supermarket lemon used to create the famously delicious Italian liqueur, limoncello. The extraordinary spirit of lemon oil, water, sugar and vodka was invented about 100 years ago in Southern Italy, along the Amalfi coast. It is said to… Read more »
