A Ratio Revelation

 

 

I've just stumbled across something that has changed my life.  Or at the least, my kitchen's life.  One word:

Ratios.

If you're a chef, a restaurant conisseur, or just really really into baking, you know what I'm talking about.  If you're like the pre-60 minutes ago me, then you haven't a clue as to what you are missing.  A word of caution here - if you're happy in your blissful state of every-day cooking ignorance, like to keep things straight and simple, and you don't ever deviate from the recipes in your most trusted cookbook, then stop reading now.

No, seriously.  No offense and  none taken.

Ok, now for the rest of you.  Maybe this is just for me actually, as I do feel a bit behind the boat on this recent revelation I'm celebrating with you all.  Did you know that it does not matter what amounts of food you need to make just so long as you know the ratio for that particular creation?

For example, according to Shauna over at Gluten-free Girl and the Chef, which is where I was given this epiphany, cakes are a ratio of one.  That's it.  Simple straightforward one.  

All of baking is comprised of four components: flour, liquid, eggs, and fat.  Every baked creation is a ratio of these four components, then sometimes salt/baking soda or powder/sugar is added - but not always.

So, going back to our cake example, Shauna explained that perfect, traditional cake, is simply equal parts each of flour, egg, fat, and liquid.  Traditionally, the fat is butter and the liquid is milk.  Also traditionally, the flour is AP baking flour, but of course, as evidenced in Shauna's name and as you'll soon realize here with me, our flours are always of the non-gluten variety.  

By the way, on that note, GF is a huge, flavorful, free world and DO NOT let anyone convince you it is anything but!

Not only are there cakes but also for pancakes, crepes, muffins, breads ... you get the idea.  So please, swing on over to Shauna's blog and check it out!  She really is amazing and I'm sure it won't take you long to fall in blog-love with her.

Hmm? What's that? Oh, you thought this was my first blog post and you're confused at the lack of 'previous posts' link down below?  Well, that's because it is my first post!

Anyhoo, I thought about doing a lame, boring, self-centered first blog post all about me, my interests, blah blah blah.  But that's not really who I am.

Who am I, then? Well, keep reading and you'll find out the way all good things in life are meant to be discovered - through experience (hi, Dad)!  After all, blogging is born out of a desire for relationship - whichever side of the keyboard your might find yourself sitting on.

So, welcome.  I'm so glad you're here! And yes, darlings, I do respond to comments and emails.

xx,

Katie