The Original Kitchen Cooperative: Straight Wooden Rolling Pin #Review #RollingPin

I bake on a weekly basis and sometimes even twice. From baked goods that range from sweet to savory, I have come to the point where I rarely even buy baked anything from stores. When I do, I regret it. The one thing I learned over the years, is the tools you use matter. It’s not the cost but how they perform. I have a french style wooden roller that has lasted me over a decade. Simple to care for and I am one of those that if it needs a wash, a wash is something it better handle because this wipe and store idea to make it last…….well, I find it gross. Butters, fats and oils age and if your crust or dough has them, they will oxidize and go rancid on the wood. Not something I exactly wish to share with my next baked creation.

 

 

Retail Price Point: $13.75 via Amazon with free shipping if you have Prime Membership.

 

Verdict:

The straight rolling pin from The Original Kitchen Cooperative is made of 100% Beech wood. The roller arrived smooth and with zero imperfections. Has a nice weight that is balanced and easy to roll even when your pie crust is between having cold spots and softer warmer ones. It plays nice with most dough types and because it’s so smooth, it almost acts like if it had a nonstick surface, allowing the dough to softly stretch without tearing. I have used the roller and washed it and what was nice, no split wood or separations the next day, so this roller is not only fairly priced but should last with regular use. I do not have to worry about treating it softly, just as long as I wash it (never fully submerge in water), quickly dry it and then allow it to air dry on the rack before storing. The company also offers a 100% money back guarantee and that means they stand behind the quality of the products they produce. I don’t see myself needing to use the guarantee but there is something to be said about a company standing behind their products.

Connect with The Original Kitchen Cooperative at:

• Amazon

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from The Original Kitchen Cooperative. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Advertisement

Kitchen Hearts Silicone Baking Mat Set

I do more baking than anyone I know. As a result, I’ve got a wealth of tools to assist me and I’m always on the lookout for something new and innovative to help me along. Over the years I’ve graduated from wax papers and sprays to parchment and silicone mats. If you’ve used one, you know they quickly become indispensable. But Kitchen Hearts had something I’ve yet to try: A ROUND silicone pizza mat!! Oh, baby!

Silicone mats are probably one of the most versatile tools in a kitchen. They can be used for a multitude of things, and be used hundreds of times before needing to be replaced. From a splatter-catcher in the oven, to making french fries, cookies, macaroons, or biscuits, there’s almost no limit to the goodies one can make on a silicone mat. They clean up with a little warm soapy water, need no oils or sprays to be non-stick, and virtually nothing sticks to them. Fats and oils bead up, and little crispy bits fall right away. They are also oven safe up to 475 degrees, so the limit is really your imagination!

Ideally. Sadly, 9″ Kitchen Hearts Pizza mat came with a critical defect. See, silicone mats are almost just that: silicone. The silicone, however, encases a fiberglass mesh weave that gives the mats some tensile strength and help to hold it’s shape better. But when you puncture the silicone, the fiberglass is exposed and it’s time to toss the mat, both for health and safety reasons. And my round mat had exposed fiberglass all around the outside edge. Not only would that let water in and ruin the mat, but it’s unsafe. One should never consume the fibers from fibergalss, and putting a sticky dough on exposed fibers a sure-fire way to do just that. So I didn’t even get to try it, sadly. The large mat (a now-standard half-sheet 16.5″ x 11.6″ size) did not have these issues. I may contact the company about this because I’m really hoping to a new tool in my kitchen!

Connect with Kitchen Hearts:

• Online
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Kitchen Hearts.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

The Simple Baker: Premium Silicone Baking Mat for Macarons #Review #macaronmat

 

Being a baker means I need products I can count on and a multi-tasker is a must in my kitchen. The Simple Baker does everything my expensive silicone baking mats do, plus as much as I did not appreciate the circle pattern at first, I became to really like the convince it provided. My cookies never touched each other, so I have to admit I’m not the best spacer I thought I was!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The mat yielded the same results as my french branded mat and clean-up was a cinch. The mat cleans up instantly with a little soapy water and I just fill the sink 1/4 way up, make some bubbles and suds on top of the mat and this I find is the most gentle way to clean the mat with no sponge and/or sink brush needed. I simply roll the Simple Baker mat (without creating fold or creases) and use a silicone band to keep it in place.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

I wanted to test the silicone mat out with by making dark chocolate ganache cookies. The cookies are a butter base recipe and I tried both round shapes and heart shapes when baking. My baking time was adjusted, as these silicone mats provide even baking, which tends to accelerate the baking but produces what I call the “perfect cookie”. You get a soft flaky texture on the inside with a cookie top crust that stays in place and only crumbles until you take a bite.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Filling

Cookies in all shapes can be baked

Perfect results every time!

 

Retail Price Point: $17.97 via Amazon

The Simple Baker Mat will save you money in the long run and pay for itself. I use parchment paper and that gets costly over time and can be a wasteful expense. These silicone mats are reusable, do not hold odors, and are also safe because they are non-toxic. The silicone used is food-grade quality and no need to add extra fats or oils to make them non-stick……their finish stays non-stick time and time again!

Connect with The Simple Baker at:

• On-line
• Amazon

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from The Simple Baker.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Giveaway Time: Rigoni di Asiago Nocciolata Box filled with goodies ENTER TO WIN

Starting today and until June 1’st, you can enter to win the above package, which I received from Rigoni di Asiago.  The box came filled with goodies that you can taste and some that you can wear, to the hazelnut bag you can shop with!  Entering is super easy too:

Please, kindly just:

 

1.  Follow Rigoni di Asiago on Facebook here- https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
2. And also here on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
3. Then on  Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
4. and lastly leave me a comment on any of the reviews and/or recipes I shared.

• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-Tj
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SX
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SB
• http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-Se

4 easy small steps and this gorgeous box could be yours……..the hazelnut shopping bag melts your heart while you munch on the Nocciolata.  Good luck!

Winner will be notified via the contact connected to your account.  I will then forward the address to the company, which will then send the box to your home address, minus the squirrel of course 🙂

Rigoni di Asiago: Nocciolata with Raspberries, this is a 2-in-1 #Recipe Turnovers & Cookies Part 2

I wanted to create a filling that is easy to make, does not require a plethora of ingredients and is fast……but of course delicious. With Mother’s Day upon us, many of us want to give something chocolate and fruity but the same fallback of strawberries dipped in chocolate is so yesterday! Think chocolate and raspberries snoozing in a puff pastry dough.

 

Let’s Begin……

• 35 grams of Nocciolata spread
• 7 grams of Almond Flour/Meal
• 20 grams of Frozen Red Raspberries
• 2 sheets of Puff Pastry (each sheet measures 5X5) and is in square shape
• 1 egg at room temperature (whisked and with a brush)
• Optional- Raw Hazelnuts
• Powder Sugar for dusting

Make your filling like in part #1 http://wp.me/p2B5Rd-SX

Cookies (yields about 12 to 14 cookies):

Take Puff Pastry out and allow it to come to temperature, but just enough to be manageable.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

 

Get two sheets and begin spreading your filling like this-

A dollop of 1/2 the filling to each sheet

Spread but mind the edges

Then brush with egg wash

 

Begin to roll dough over from each edge, towards the inside like this-

 

Again, more egg wash and fold again and again…..you will be creating a heart ❤

Keep going

and going

until it closes

I use the same parchment papers that come with the puff pastry to keep the roll sealed and then wrap in plastic wrap.  Put roll in the freezer to stiffen up (15 to 20 minutes) so you can cut without destroying the cookie.  Repeat with the other dough sheet the same process.

Tightly wrap with parchment

so it can keep the heart closed and you can add more egg wash to the center if needed.

Wrap closed

Then in Plastic Wrap and into the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes

 

 Once the dough is stiff enough to cut without destroying the shape, you can start making cookies.

Unroll log

Cut into cookies, you will 6 to 7 out of each roll

Place on parchment

Then take the Hazelnuts (optional) and chop roughly, placing one small piece in each center.

Cut Hazelnuts

Place a piece in the center of each cookie

Then wash with egg and place in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes to bake at 400 degrees.

Take the cookies out and allow them to rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a rack.  This helps dehydrate and also finish off the cooking in the dough, plus give it a crisp texture.

Allow to cool on cookie sheet

For 10 minutes before moving on rack or dusting with Powder Sugar

Dust with Powder Sugar.

Then you can eat them semi-warm or completely cooled.  Enjoy!

Get your Nocciolate fix at:

• On-line– http://rigonidiasiago-usa.com/our-products/nocciolata/organic-hazelnut-spread-with-cocoa-and-milk/
• Say “hi” to their cute Squirrel on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
• It’s a popular Squirrel so you can also visit Facebook here-https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
• See what Nocciolata can do for your taste buds on Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/nocciolata/
• Chitter on Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
• Available for purchase on Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Rigoni di Asiago.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Rigoni di Asiago: Nocciolata with Raspberries, this is a 2-in-1 #Recipe Turnovers & Cookies Part 1

 

 

I wanted to create a filling that is easy to make, does not require a plethora of ingredients and is fast……but of course delicious. With Mother’s Day upon us, many of us want to give something chocolate and fruity but the same fallback of strawberries dipped in chocolate is so yesterday! Think chocolate and raspberries snoozing in a puff pastry dough. This is a 2-in-1 recipe where you can make heart shaped cookies or turnovers. You pick!

Let’s Begin……

• 35 grams of Nocciolata spread
• 7 grams of Almond Flour/Meal
• 20 grams of Frozen Red Raspberries
• 2 sheets of Puff Pastry (each sheet measures 5X5) and is in square shape
• 1 egg at room temperature (whisked and with a brush)
• Fork or you can crimp dough by hand
• Powder Sugar for dusting

 

Start by taking out your Puff Pastry out of the freezer.  I used 2 sheets that measure 5×5 each.  Turn your oven on to 400 degress to preheat.  While the dough defrosts just enough to be manageable, combine your fillings ingredients.

Nocciolata Spread

Almond Meal/Flour

Frozen Raspberries

Using a small spatula or spoon, just mix.

 

Set the mix aside and then begin by opening an egg and whisking.  You can set your pastry brush by it as you will need it.

Crack egg

Whisk and I like to just rest my brush in the bowl

Take your 2 sheets of Puff Pastry and by now they should be pliable (not overly soft) to begin working with.

 

For Turnovers (this will make 4 of them):

Cut one 5 x 5 Puff Pastry Sheet at diagonally, so you are left with 2 triangles

Take your filling and add about 1/4 of it to each triangle

 

 

Then take egg wash and brush all sides lightly

 

Fold dough, as to create a smaller triangle

Softly press making sure each side meets with each other nicely and if any filling comes out, give it a wipe but try not to stress about it 🙂

Then crimp closed with a fork

Give the top an egg wash and repeat the same process with your second turnover

Place both turnovers on parchment paper and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees.  Allow the pastry to cool and give it a dusting with powder sugar! Serve warm alone, with cream or ice cream.

 

This one slightly opened and still looks beautiful so this is why I say not to worry

Gooey on the inside and delicious

Get your Nocciolate fix at:

• On-line– http://rigonidiasiago-usa.com/our-products/nocciolata/organic-hazelnut-spread-with-cocoa-and-milk/
• Say “hi” to their cute Squirrel on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/NocciolataUSA
• It’s a popular Squirrel so you can also visit Facebook here-https://www.facebook.com/RigonidiAsiagoUSA
• See what Nocciolata can do for your taste buds on Pinterest–http://www.pinterest.com/nocciolata/
• Chitter on Twitter– https://twitter.com/NocciolataUSA
• Available for purchase on Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Rigoni di Asiago.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.