Sound Bites: The Fulfillment Of Fall Baking
Digest
This episode of the 1A podcast delves into the world of fall baking, featuring a panel of baking experts who share their knowledge and passion for this seasonal culinary tradition. The episode begins with a discussion about the definition of baking, exploring the difference between baking and cooking and how the term encompasses a wide range of culinary techniques. The panel then dives into the reasons why fall is a perfect time for baking, highlighting the abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the cooler weather that encourages home baking, and the cultural shift towards this activity. The episode features a variety of baking topics, including tips for working with Concord grapes, incorporating butternut squash into recipes, and mastering the no-knead bread method. The panel also discusses sourdough baking, sharing insights on identifying a healthy starter, the importance of temperature control, and the role of smell in determining the starter's health. The episode explores both sweet and savory fall baking, with discussions on baked apple recipes, savory tarts, quiches, and custards. The panel emphasizes the importance of incorporating seasonal vegetables like squash and cheese for flavor and binding in savory dishes. They also provide valuable tips for making pie crust, highlighting the importance of proper hydration and the "clean hand test" to determine if the dough is ready. The episode concludes with the panel sharing their favorite fall baking ingredients and encouraging listeners to try out the recipes shared on the 1A website.
Outlines
Fall Baking: From Bread to Tarts
This episode of the 1A podcast explores the joys of fall baking, featuring expert tips and recipes for everything from no-knead bread to savory tarts, highlighting seasonal ingredients like Concord grapes and butternut squash.
Baking with Fall Foods: Tips and Tricks
A panel of baking experts discusses fall baking, including tips and tricks for making bread, cookies, pies, cakes, and more.
Defining Baking: Exploring the Culinary Art
The panel discusses the definition of baking, exploring the difference between baking and cooking, and how the term can encompass a wide range of culinary techniques.
Fall Baking Season: Why It's the Best Time
The panel discusses why fall is a great time for baking, highlighting the abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the cooler weather, and the cultural shift towards home baking.
Fall Baking Favorites: Recipes and Inspiration
The panel shares their favorite fall baking recipes, including apple tart, Concord grape pie, and schiachata con uva (a flatbread with grapes).
Keywords
No-Knead Bread Method
A bread baking technique that relies on long fermentation to develop the dough's structure, eliminating the need for traditional kneading.
Sourdough Starter
A mixture of flour and water that is fermented with wild yeast and bacteria, used to leaven sourdough bread.
Concord Grape
A variety of grape known for its tart flavor and juicy texture, often used in pies and other baked goods.
Butternut Squash
A type of winter squash with a sweet, nutty flavor, versatile in baking and can be used in bread, scones, and custards.
Savory Custard
A custard made with cheese, eggs, and herbs, often used as a filling for savory tarts and quiches.
Pie Crust Hydration
The amount of liquid added to a pie crust dough, crucial for achieving a smooth, workable dough that holds together.
Delicata Squash
A type of winter squash with a delicate flavor and thin skin, often roasted and used in savory dishes.
Szechuan Peppercorn
A type of peppercorn with a unique, citrusy and slightly numbing flavor, often used in Asian cuisine.
Fresh Cranberries
A tart, bright red berry often used in baking, especially during the fall and winter holidays.
Q&A
What makes fall a good time for baking?
Fall is a great time for baking because of the abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the cooler weather that encourages people to stay indoors, and the cultural shift towards home baking.
What are some tips for working with Concord grapes in baking?
To remove seeds from Concord grapes, you can cook them on the stovetop and then remove the seeds. You can also squeeze the flesh out of the grapes, reserving the skins, and then cook the flesh with sugar before straining it back onto the skins.
How can you incorporate butternut squash into baking?
Butternut squash is versatile and can be used in bread, scones, and even creme brulee. Roasting the squash intensifies its sugars and enhances its flavor.
What is the no-knead bread method?
The no-knead bread method relies on long fermentation to develop the dough's structure, eliminating the need for traditional kneading. It involves mixing flour, water, and yeast, and then allowing the dough to ferment for several hours before baking.
What are some tips for sourdough baking?
To ensure a healthy sourdough starter, make sure it is active and bubbling. Temperature control is crucial, as too warm of a temperature can lead to butyric acid production, which gives the starter a stinky feet smell. A healthy starter should have a sweet, champagne-like aroma.
What are some tips for making pie crust?
A good pie crust should be well-hydrated and easy to work with. If your pie crust is crumbly and difficult to roll out, it is likely under-hydrated. A good pie crust should hold together and pass the "clean hand test," where a clean, dry hand pressed firmly onto the dough should come up totally clean.
What are some savory fall baking recipes?
Savory fall baking recipes include savory tarts, quiches, and custards. These dishes often feature seasonal vegetables like squash and incorporate cheese for flavor and binding.
What are some fall baking ingredients that the panel is excited to work with?
The panel is excited to work with delicata squash, szechuan peppercorn and star anise, and fresh cranberries.
Show Notes
Each day, we're tackling a different topic related to fall foods from the art of preservation to fall flavors with a food scientist. And we're starting the week with a show on fall baking.
We're talking about bread, cookies, pies, cakes and more so warm up the oven, grab your measuring cups and get ready to be super hungry.
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