food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
food-and-wine-pairing-a-sensory-experience-robert-harrington
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78<br />
Chapter 4 Gastronomic Identity II: Food <strong>and</strong> Cuisine<br />
Food Item: Mardi Gras King Cake (courtesy Chef John Folse)<br />
Yield: 10 servings<br />
The king cake is the traditional dessert of the Carnival season <strong>and</strong> was originally served on the Feast of the<br />
Epiphany. To make the dessert fun <strong>and</strong> unique, a bean was pressed into the dough prior to cooking. Whoever<br />
got the slice containing the bean had to host a party for all guests in attendance. Today the bean has been<br />
replaced with a plastic baby to signify the New Year.<br />
Ingredients for Dough<br />
1 /2 oz (14 g) instant yeast<br />
11 /2 c (360 ml) warm water<br />
1 /2 c (113 g) sugar<br />
5 c (1.13 kg) flour<br />
1/2 c (113 g) dry milk powder<br />
2 tsp (10 g) salt<br />
2 eggs, beaten<br />
1 c (240 ml) melted butter<br />
Ingredients for Glaze<br />
2 lb (907 g) powdered sugar<br />
1 pinch salt<br />
1 tbsp (15 ml) almond extract<br />
3 /4 c (180 ml) water<br />
3 tbsp (43 g) cinnamon<br />
Ingredients for Assembly<br />
1 /4 c (60 ml) melted butter<br />
1 /2 c (113 g) sugar<br />
1 tbsp (14 g) cinnamon<br />
Egg wash ( 1 /2 c [120 ml] milk plus 2 eggs,<br />
beaten)<br />
Purple, green, <strong>and</strong> gold sugars (available at<br />
pastry <strong>and</strong> cake decorating outlets)<br />
THE ENVIRONMENT<br />
Preparation<br />
In a measuring cup, combine yeast <strong>and</strong> 1 /2 cup water. Set<br />
aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together all dry<br />
ingredients. Using a dough hook on an electric mixer,<br />
blend dry ingredients 2–3 minutes on low speed. In a<br />
separate mixing bowl, combine eggs, 3 /4 cup butter,<br />
<strong>and</strong> remaining water. Slowly pour egg mixture <strong>and</strong><br />
bloomed yeast into mixing bowl with flour, gradually<br />
increasing speed. Mix 8–10 minutes or until dough<br />
separates from bowl. An additional 1 /2 cup of flour<br />
may be sprinkled into bowl if dough is too wet. Brush<br />
a large stainless-steel bowl with melted butter until<br />
coated, then place dough inside. Brush dough with<br />
remaining butter <strong>and</strong> cover tightly with plastic wrap.<br />
Allow dough to proof in a warm place 1 hour or until<br />
double in size.<br />
Preparation<br />
In an electric mixer, combine sugar <strong>and</strong> salt. Mix on low<br />
speed while slowly pouring in almond extract <strong>and</strong><br />
water. Add cinnamon <strong>and</strong> continue to blend until<br />
glaze is smooth. Set aside.<br />
Preparation<br />
Preheat oven to 350°F. After dough has proofed, roll out<br />
onto a well-floured surface into an 18–by-12-inch<br />
rectangle. In a small bowl, combine sugar <strong>and</strong><br />
cinnamon. Brush top of dough with melted butter,<br />
then sprinkle with sugar <strong>and</strong> cinnamon mixture. Cut<br />
cake vertically into 3 even sections. Pinch together<br />
end of each strip. Starting from the joined end, form<br />
into a basic three-str<strong>and</strong> braid. Shape braid into a<br />
circle <strong>and</strong> pinch together to hold form. Brush entire<br />
cake with egg wash <strong>and</strong> proof in a warm place until it<br />
doubles in size. Bake 20–25 minutes or until golden<br />
brown. Drizzle glaze over entire cake <strong>and</strong> sprinkle<br />
with colored sugars.<br />
There are many factors in the external environment that impact <strong>food</strong>, <strong>food</strong> production,<br />
traditions, the fusion of styles, <strong>and</strong> product offerings. In the following sections, the focus is<br />
on the impact of geography <strong>and</strong> climate on indigenous <strong>food</strong> products <strong>and</strong> the integration