Great news, my croissants turned out wonderful yesterday! I’m very happy with the results, I can’t wait to post my crumb-cut shots to show everyone the interiors. I’m still going to do a 4th batch of laminated dough tomorrow because I want to try something a little different with the yeast before I do the final write up.

Bad news, the little Humble is feeling under the weather so I am not going to post the napoleons today. The write up for that recipe is going to be rather lengthy and I’m not sure I can spare that much time at the computer. so I’ve decided to post the quickest of dishes I have lined up: Mascarpone Brownies.

Oh and more bad news (for me), my brand new ice cream maker broke last night. The first time I used it! The moment I turned it on the inner paddle snapped. I am quite annoyed.

Though it was probably my fault. I added my ice cream mixture to the frozen bowl, turned on the machine and realized it wasn’t plugged in. Then I fiddled with getting the cable out of the machine’s underbelly, removing the manufacturer’s plastic and zip tie, plugged it in and turned it on. this took about a minute or two and in that brief time the cream mixture froze to the sides of the bowl, creating a dense mass that snapped my paddle like a twig.

I really hate flimsy plastic components. I’m going to have Mr. Humble bring home another machine today, as I am craving a homemade batch of coconut ice cream with lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves.

So these mascarpone brownies. They’re a little different but quite good. Mr. Humble gave them his stamp of approval and he is big brownie fanatic. they differ from a typical brownie in that they have a fine crumb and a lighter, almost cake like texture. they are still very moist and extremely fudgy, so they’re worthy of being called a brownie.

Chocolate Mascarpone Brownies
adapted from recipezaar.com
1 cup unsalted butter
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder (extra-dark, dutch processed cocoa is best)
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
3 large eggs, at room-temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325°F and prepare a 8-9″ square pan with a little nonstick spray and line the bottom with parchment.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat. Once melted add the chocolate to the sauce pan and pull off the heat. give the pan a little jiggle to submerge the chocolate and then allow to stand for a minute then stir until smooth.

Sift the cocoa powder into the chocolate mixture and then add the sugar and salt, mix well and set aside.

In your stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. Pour the butter and chocolate mixture into the mixing bowl and mix until no streaks remain.

Remove the bowl from your mixer and gently fold the flour into the batter. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula.

Bake the brownies for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Place the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Once cool you can top with the chocolate ganache.

Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 tablespoons whipping cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Place chopped chocolate into a heat safe bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for a minute then stir until smooth.

Once smooth, add the butter one tablespoon at a time stirring until completely melted.

Run a knife around the outside of the brownies to release from the pan then invert onto a cutting board or serving platter. Remove the parchment and pour the ganache onto the brownies, spreading evenly with a spatula.

Allow the ganache to set up before cutting (this will take a few hours at room temperature, you and speed this along by popping them into the fridge) and enjoy.

I am currently on a quest to replace all our silverware with wood because I have never liked metal in my mouth, or the way it sounds when rubbed up against ceramics.this CO ZEN urushi cutlery set for kids could work nicely for little Huey. Urushi, also known as Japanese lacquer ware, is made from the sap of a tree and has been used to make dishes and utensils since the Jomon period. The beautifully hand-crafted set instills a sense of tradition and significance in the child and ritualizes the act of sitting down to eat. I am all for teaching kids the importance of eating, and what you put in your mouth.

The CO ZEN set (18,000 yen) comes with a spoon, fork, knife, desert spoon and chopsticks. The lid also flips over to serve as a place mat. it reminds me a lot of the Fun Fam Table Manners set.

thanks to @skrtr for the tip

A cutlery set is comprised of spoons, forks and knives, along with trays and dishes. It is made from different materials like gold, steel, silver, plastic and pewter. Different types of cutlery sets include the following:

o Stainless steel

You can also consider the following characteristics in order to match the type you want:

Plastic cutlery is disposable. It is perfect for picnics, parties, buffets and other outdoor celebrations. This set includes a knife, forks and spoons which can feed 8 or more people. It can be washable but it is more often thrown away. It is also good for packed lunches on long journeys. In fact, some plastic cutleries are also part of children’s toy sets.

Expendable cutlery having a posh twist is somewhat more stylish with bright colors. This would include green, black, red, purple and clear sets. Pandora’s Deluxe Plastic Flatware is also one of the manufacturers which offer this kind of plastic cutlery.

o Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a composite of different steel alloys made with 11.5% chromium or even nickel. The higher the nickel content, the more it will not stain nor corrode. Different grades and surface finishes are introduced so as to suit the material. Stainless steel prices vary with the specifications or the steel alloy percentage.

Silver is a precious metal used in making cutlery. most manufacturers use silver in order to showcase a bright lunar shine, making it more valuable. The metal alloy needs to pass a state-of-the-art technology set that has the highest standards. Silver cutlery adapts to warm dishes, possessing a bacteria killing effect.

Silver cutlery can be hard-silver plated or made with real silver. Hard silver plating has high grade glossiness. It is also rust-proof, hard-wearing, dishwasher safe and possesses a high practical value. It is made from 65% copper, 12% nickel and 23% zinc. The layer of this silver is applied to this material in a galvanic bath.

WMF, one of the best silver cutlery manufacturers, had developed a technique in silver hardening. The 90 g silver provides protection from scratches.

Hence, real silver cutlery is made of pure silver which is soft and not stable. Sterling silver showcases 92.5 % hard types of pure silver.

Vintage cutlery is classic or old-fashioned but first-class types. It is made from silver or with plastic design handles. Hardwood handles with different textures are also appealing. Vintage cutlery can last a lifetime when properly maintained.

Japanese cutlery is made from high quality Japanese steel. These are forged instruments for the kitchen. It is proven to be hard and incredibly sharp. most professionals prefer this type of cutlery, along with its exclusive designs.

Forged VG-10 super steel blades can be used in making Japanese cutlery. On each side is a clad having 16 layers of SUS410 high carbon stainless steel. This kind of steel produces a no-rust blade, as well as it can reduce the sticking of food and provide less damage onto the blade.

Most Japanese chefs use a Santoku knife. It is useful for straight cutting, slicing and for the mincing of vegetables and meat. The Deba and Nakiri knife is also an all-time favorite. It is used with a traditional Chef’s knife. These Japanese cutleries are really superior and very functional. In fact, Japan made its knives with the assurance of a lifetime warranty.

Professional cutlery sets are mostly used by food industry professionals. It often comes with a wooden block or case, having 3 or more pieces of knives along with a spoon and fork. aside from this, it can be satin finish, gold or silver plated and hard silver within wooden handles.

Professional cutlery set include one or more of the following:

Popular brands of professional cutlery sets include the following:

o Viking 6-Piece Cutlery Block Set

o KitchenAid KA1SS14TB 14-pc Professional Cutlery Set – Stainless Steel

o V lo Professional Cutlery Set

o Henckels Cutlery Set with Santoku and Wood Block 11-Pc, etc.

Home Renovation Bathroom Cabinets

• Kitchen Decorating Theme
• Interior – Choosing your Kitchen Sink
• Buy Kitchen Counter Bar Stools
• Kitchen Tables and Chair Sets – Purchasing easy for them
• Stainless Steel Kitchen Canisters
• Kitchen knives and cutlery
• Things To Add cuisine in a contemporary design
• Create a pantry in a few easy steps!