Make your own Bread!!: Introduction

I have spent years working in every kind of place I could get myself into to learn the tricks and then to do my best to learn more on my own perfecting my skill. One of my favourite things is making bread. A skill so many people told me was really hard but honestly once you know the basics and have a good reference its easy, it just takes work and time.

For starters the "Bread Bible" is just that, my bible. Chef Anthony Bourdain of Les Halles mentioned about getting his cook book dirty, get the grease stains on it. Well both books have banged up covers and both have gotten a lot of face time in the kitchen with me. A great reference book will teach you some tricks and logic will carry you the rest of the way as you make your own twist on the recipes.

When I first was taught bread the moral was "treat it like a woman". Be firm, be soft, love it and do not rush and in the end you will be rewarded. Now I take that phrase to heart in my kitchen with everything but it is honestly the best piece of advice when making bread. An there is nothing better then fresh bread out of the oven and some good butter and maybe even a lavender honey.

The next few days I will discuss my favourite breads to eat and of course to make. Remember fresh bread tastes great, is cheap to make and if your wife/husband is on your back its a great way to get some stress out if you are not yet at the "make up" stage.

slainte

The Garden

For people that know me they know that I do not like the idea of growing flowers in a garden. I just find it a waste of money and space when I can grow great produce and herbs to feed myself. Maintained, a garden of various vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and an assortment of herbs can look just as good as flowers and it will smell better to.

I love flowers for their looks and like to have them around the house but I love digging into the black soil, clay and sand planting my vegetables and sowing the seeds. The entire time I think of pickling the extra green beans with the chillies I am growing for antipasto platters, pepper jellies, roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic and fresh basil. The possibilities are endless when you can just walk out your back door.

So what is in the garden?

42 Green Bean Plants

4 Roma Tomato Plants

2 cucumber plants

1 egg plant

2 Health Kick Tomato Plants

4 Golden Cherry Tomato Plants

3 Red Cherry Tomato Plants

1 Chili

1 Cayenne Pepper

2 Banana Pepper Plants

3 Red Pepper Plants

4 small hot red pepper plants

Basil

Oregano

Chicory

Swiss Chard

Red Leaf Lettuce

Parsley

Thyme

Mesclun

Building a Community

Artisanal Palate is in its first phase of our referral program and bringing it to the businesses we want to work with. Today I visited two of the businesses that I want to form a tight community relationship with. In an age where big box stores and multi-purpose conglomerates run the globe it takes small business working together to be successful and to make sure the community has a network of great businesses to go to and get great product. We are going are looking to become your link to artisans from all over the region and province!

If you are a business that has a great product then get into contact with us (http://www.artisanalpalate.com/). Not only will Artisanal Palate be a link to great businesses but we will be a one stop connection to everything you need for your wedding or function. The website will be updated with this program and so much more that we are working on for you.

My gift to you is a referral program of your very own. When you sign on a function with Artisanal Palate in the month of May don't pay the taxes as a gift to combat the upcoming HST crunch. When you have had a function with Artisanal Palate you instantly become a member with your own code. When you refer a friend have them give the code and receive money from us for your referral. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertisement but I want to take it one step farther by giving back to the people that put food on my table and help me put back into the business to further contribute to Niagara.

There is a lot under the surface and we can not wait to bring everything to you.