Brod & Taylor's Folding Proofer & Country Wheat Sandwich Bread

First, I just wanted to let everyone know that I did finally hear from the contest winner so the contest is officially over. Thank you all so much for your participation and feedback, I am still processing it all.

Second, I know I should be in bed resting but I have all these posts I have done all the work for that just need to be written up so I am hoping by doing so it will ease my mind without putting my health at risk.

When I received my new Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer the logical choice for testing it was bread. I could not wait! It had been months and months since I baked some bread so I went for it (two weeks ago, before I got pneumonia).



I wanted there to be moisture in the air and the booklet said to add 1/4 cup water to the water tray and set the proofer to 85F.



I tried following their recipe for Country Wheat Sandwich Bread but went off the foodie map. This is how I made it. I mixed together 3 1/2 regular flour with 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 tsp salt.



In a measuring cup I combined 1 1/4 cup warm (not hot) water with 1/4 cup warm (not hot) whole milk and 2 tbsp sugar. Then I added 1 1/2 tsp old fashioned yeast. I let it sit for ten minutes and then added it to the dry ingredients along with 2 tbsp of softened unsalted butter.



My dough was so dry! So I added like, I don't know, almost another cup of warm water until the dough finally came together. My flour is always so super dry!!!

I brought everything together with the paddle attachment and then switched to my dough hook. I let it knead the dough on the second or third setting for ten minutes. I try and remember to continually check in on the bowl to make sure it doesn't getting wedged. Which it did a little, darn it. Trust me, you don't want the bowl to get stuck on there!



After 10 minutes I put the dough in an oiled steel bowl and put it at the bottom of the proofer. It did not say to use the wire rack so I didn't. I closed the lid and let it proof for at least an hour and sure enough, it got all nice and puffy!



I put the dough into an oiled loaf pan, flipped it over and then shaped it to fit. Once again I put it back in the proofer.



I took it out after around 50 minutes and wow, did it ever rise!



I put it in a preheated 350F oven for around 35-45 minutes until it turned nice and golden brown.

See how big it got?! It's funny. My sister Shannon thought this product was called a "poofer" which I thought was adorable but after looking at this loaf, I am beginning to think I might called it that from now on!



It sliced so beautifully, perhaps the easiest and lightest bread I have ever sliced before.



There was only one problem though, it was so poofy it did not fit into my toaster, LOL!

I have some other tests for the Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer but at this point in the game, I could not be happier with it. Yes, it is a bit of a beast when it comes to its size but it made one of the best loaves of bread I have ever had. Loving it so far!

Recipe to Riches PC Kulfi Karma Ice Cream & Slow and Low Pulled Pork

Wish I had the final winner Robert Luft up there but been too sick to go take photos!

The show Recipe to Riches is coming to a close! I know I should be lying in bed resting but my PR rep from President's Choice has been kind enough to hand deliver these products to my door every single week. I just can not let her down and the voting starts tomorrow! I just had to share my impressions of the final two products with you.

Rosy Banwait-Soobrattee's Kulfi Karma Ice Cream



Rosy Banwait-Soobrattee won the frozen treats category with her Kulfi Karma Ice Cream. Even though I watched the episode and got a glimpse of seeing how it was made, it was one of the few products being tested and judged that I had absolutely no idea what it would really taste like.



Throughout the ice cream you will see the cardamom seed flecks and pistachios peeking out. I like how easy this ice cream is to scoop out, a sign of a high quality ice cream.



The box of ice cream is quite tiny for $3.49 but once I tasted the ice cream, I understood why. A small scoop takes you to another universe! Still, with the first bite I was immediately scared the rose water would be too strong and start to hurt my throat (I am super sensitive that way) but with each bite that almost-overwhelming flavour dissipated and I fell into an adventurous foodie dream.

Oh what a creamy and wild dessert with a nice bite from the pistachios. It really is difficult to describe the sensation and flavour. It was exotic, stunning and absolutely unique. I have never had anything quite like it so I hope that this product will remain at my Superstore because it transported both me and Reg to somewhere else on the planet. We loved it. If you like traditional flavours, this may be downright shocking to you and you may end up hating it. I personally love food that takes me somewhere completely new. I give it five out of five wooden spoons. Way to go Rosy!


Robert Luft's Slow & Low Pulled Pork



Robert Luft won the entree category for his southern-style pulled pork that has been slow cooked for 12 hours. This is what you get in a package. Two frozen bricks of the flavoured slow-cooked pork.



To cook it you cut out one of the packages and put it in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Cover and every now and then break down with a cooking utensil. In 15 minutes the meat will be ready.

I must admit, I found all of this very off-putting. First, meat in a plastic bag freaks me out. At least they abandoned the idea of the home cook cooking it in hot water in the bag, which I think is just too unhealthy. With the stove-top technique, as the meat thawed and the juice was released, I found it very unappetizing. When it was done, it was kind of mushy.



I made the tiniest slider I could (which took 1/3 of the meat, there is not a lot in the package) and you know what? It was tasty! I did not love it but I did not hate it either. It was pretty darn good and in the end, was impressed.

Do I think the box is worth $6.99? No, I don't, that is not a lot of meat. Do I consider this an entree? No, not at all. It is just meat! I must admit I really wish I was testing the lobster mac and cheese instead. To me, that was much closer to being a real entree than this hunk of frozen meat.

When it comes to flavour, I give this product a weak three out of five. When it comes to the show, I don't think it really qualifies for its category at all.

I think all the women in the competition have kicked some serious foodie butt and I wish them all luck! I know who I will be voting for tomorrow and make sure you vote too! I think this is where we go to vote on Wednesday and may the best foodie win!

Check your email!

Winner was just chosen and contacted by email so check your inboxes! The winner has until Tuesday night to respond and claim their prize! I'm going back to bed...

BTW, for those of you who don't know, turns out I have pneumonia. When it rains, it pours...

Giant KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor Giveaway is officially closed!

I still can't believe it! KitchenAid Canada has agreed to give away one of their brand spanking new 13-cup Food Processor to one of my lucky readers! Oh I am sooooo super jealous but also thrilled that I can make one of my foodie friends very happy.

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!