The Bookshelf: The Curious Case of Amy’s Amazing Pink Cake

by jbfauthor on August 11, 2009

It was a few years ago that our colleague Phyllis first told us about the incredible pink-frosted cake she had at Amy’s Bread. I have to admit, we were a little skeptical. Cake? From Amy’s Bread? But several years later, the nostalgia-inducing, pink-frosted yellow cake with its delicate crumb has become our unofficial office birthday cake. Curiously, we've tried other colors of cake from Amy’s, and while good, none of them measures up in terms of moistness to the cakes with the pink frosting. How can the color of the frosting affect the moisture content of a cake, we’ll wonder as we take just another “sliver” and lick our plastic forks clean? Now that we have the recipe from The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread, our current theory is that the fondant that Amy adds to her pink frosting seals in the cake’s moisture. To confirm, we’ll ask Amy, herself,

Comments (0)

Eat this Word: Sea Urchin

by jbfauthor on August 11, 2009

WHAT? A no brainer. If you’ve stepped on one of these spiny creatures while strolling along the beach you’re not likely to forget the pain. Similarly memorable is the sea-kissed, faintly iodine taste of the custardy roe—when fresh. Sea urchins are brainless echinoderms that live on the ocean floor. Their hard shells (called tests) are covered with pointed spines that they use for locomotion, food gathering, and protection. Evidently, their unfriendly exterior is effective; in 2003 BBC News reported that sea urchins can live for over 200 years. To the urchins’ human predators, the saffron-colored roe (the only edible part) is considered a delicacy. Most sea urchins harvested in the United States are exported to Japan, where the roe, called uni, is used extensively in sushi and other dishes. WHERE? Michael Solomonov's Beard House dinner WHE

Comments (0)

Twitter Cook-off: Meet our Judges

by jbfauthor on August 10, 2009

The recipes have been pouring in, but who will be tasting these masterpieces? Our panel of esteemed judges hails from all areas of the food world—we’ve got a chef, a food stylist and cookbook author, and a few dedicated foodies too. Each has a keen eye for detail and a highly developed palate. First up is current Top Chef Masters contestant Anita Lo. One of our favorite NYC chefs, Anita’s restaurant Annisa has been at the top of critics’ lists for nearly a decade and her contemporary, elegant, and adventurous dishes always leave us wanting more. Next we have the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Chris and Jennifer McBride, founders and editors of the video restaurant guide www.savorycities.com. They’ve sampled the cuisine of top

Comments (0)

Ask a Chef: John Besh

by jbfauthor on August 10, 2009

JBF Award winner John Besh, of Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Lüke, and La Provence, tells us where to eat in the Crescent City.

Comments (0)