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  1. Hot Off The Shelf: Gear up for Cupcake War

    September 19, 2011 by Jarrett



     

    HOT OFF THE SHELF

     

    I remember when I started doing cooking classes at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment one of the most asked questions was, “why all the new interest in cooking?” The answer at that time was two words, “Food Network”. They introduced us to the likes of Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Alton Brown and others which made “cheffing” fun.

    Well, they have done it again with the huge success of the show “Cupcake Wars”. So I have decided to write about some new products from my friends at Nordic Ware that I am sure you will want to add to your cupcake war arsenal, all of which are available from our “arsenal” here at www.jesrestaurantequipment.com .

    First off is the simple to use mini cupcake pan — just fill the mold with batter and bake swirled tops and ribbed bottoms for six delicious easy-to-fill cupcakes. Durable cast-aluminum pan heats quickly and eliminates hot spots, for golden-brown perfection every time. Nonstick for easy release and cleanup.

    Now let’s move on to what used to be the hard part, no more with a couple of new Nordic Ware products.
    With the easy to use decorating set, with four different decorating tips you can decorate cupcakes, cakes, cookies, appetizers and more just like the pros. The ergonomic handle provides optimal comfort and helper handle provides increased control while you frost and decorate. The clear tube lets you monitor frosting level.

    Next, to really put the “frosting on the cake” (pun intended) we move on to the new Deco Pen, it fits perfectly in your hand for quick and easy decorating. You do not need to be a pro to decorate cakes and cookies that look good enough to come from the bakery! Includes Deco Pen, 2 Decorating Bags, Tips and Couplers.

    Lastly, you will want to show off your works of art before they are devoured by the luck recipients. That is where the display and serve 3-tiered pedestal comes in. This attractive unit shows off your cupcakes in style and disassembles for space-saving storage until the next time.

    Remember, all of the things mentioned are available from your favorite kitchenware distributor at www.jesrestaurantequipment.com. If you have tried the rest, now try the best.

    Here’s hoping to see you on an upcoming edition of “Cupcake Wars”.

    Thanks for reading,
    Chef Phil


    Category Hot Off The Shelf..., Kitchen Gadgets, New Products | Tags: ,,, | No Comments

  2. HOT OFF THE SHELF | PANINI GRILL

    June 13, 2011 by Daniel

    CG10IE Star Mfg. Pro-Max® Panini Grill

    Letting you in on the new craze in small kitchen appliances called the Panini Maker. They are flying off the shelf here at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment. It will open up a whole new menu of creativity for you and your family

    A Panini maker is a versatile and convenient appliance for your kitchen. This counter-top sized press allows you to make your own paninis that are grilled to perfection in minutes. Include your own ingredients to create a mouth watering crispy sandwich just the way you like it. A Panini press has a wide variety of uses beyond sandwiches. It is also perfect for grilling meats, meat alternatives, fish and eggs with minimal use of oil.

    Paninis are different from the typical grilled sandwich. A standard grilled sandwich is made in a pan and flipped to cook both sides. A Panini grill has two cooking metal plates that heat both sides at once, press the sandwich and leave distinct decorative ridges on the crispy bread. Another benefit to the Panini makers is that, they do not have compartments and they can be set to various heights. This means that any sized bread can be used. A small amount of butter is added to both sides of the bread to prevent sticking or burning and to create golden color and crispy texture. However, a lot less is used than for a sandwich cooked in a pan.
    A Panini press is not just for sandwiches. Hamburgers, fish, steaks, chicken cutlets and vegetables can be grilled. Grilling meat typically takes 4-10 minutes. It is a much healthier method of cooking because very little oil or butter is used and the fat from the meat drains off during the cooking process.

    Panini makers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate cooking for an individual, a family or a large gathering. Most Panini grills are electric with heat adjustment settings. If you plan to make more than sandwiches, select one with more temperature settings. The heating surface is available in non-stick material or cast iron, depending on your preference.
    Your own Panini maker allows you to create a grilled sandwich using the bread and ingredients of your choice. This appliance sets on the countertop and is perfect for quick and healthy meal.

    I am so sure that you will be thrilled with the taste and appearance of the food that you cook on this little kitchen wonder, that I will post a few recipes on my blog page in the next few days.

    Thanks for reading,

    Chef Phil

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  3. HOT OFF THE SHELF | R&V WORKS CAJUN FRYERS

    June 9, 2011 by Daniel

    RVWFF4-S 4-Basket 6 Gallon Fryer

    Every once in awhile somebody tries to re-invent the mousetrap, usually to no avail, and we all go back to the “tried and true”, this time I think the people of R & V Works have done just that.

    This company, located out of Homer, Louisiana, has introduced a new entry into the outdoor fryer market. Their unique design and concept have resulted in not only a more efficient way to deep fry in bulk, but more importantly, a safer way.

    All their units, from the single basket table top model like the FF1-2 to the custom made to order models like the FF6-R or the FF4-S employ their innovative “VEE” pot design. The burners are located 6″ above the bottom of the oil reservoir and are at a 45 degree angle. This allows batters, breadings and food to fall to the bottom and collect in the “vee” of the unit. With the burner tubes above the oil that is heated to the 350 degree level to do the frying while the by-products settle into the bottom of the unit where the oil that does not exceed 120 degrees virtually eliminates the chance of it catching fire.

    This design also cuts down on oil contamination so you have a longer usable life on your oil, they suggest that you strain the oil after 5 cooking sessions which can double the life of the oil.

    Check out the R & V Works website for more interesting features and fact about these new outdoor fryers. J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment is proud to offer this unique line to all of our Internet customers and urge all of our local customers to stop by the showroom and see first-hand our selection of this made in America product line.

    Category Hot Off The Shelf..., New Products | Tags: ,,,,,,,,, | No Comments

  4. HOT OFF THE SHELF | FRIELING FLOW CARAFE

    May 26, 2011 by Daniel

    Frieling Plastic Carafe-Red

    Hot Off The Shelf, or should I say “Cool On The Table” ?

    Every once in awhile a product comes down the line that makes you think, “why didn’t I think of that”, here,  my friends,  is just such a product. Such a simple idea for keeping your beverages at that cool serving temperature.

    Frieling USA Inc. has introduced it’s new line of transparent plastic carafes with the innovative “Cooling Coaster”.
    Actually this is an addition to their award winning Flow Carafe. Whereas the original was a elegant glass and stainless steel offering, the newest line is made of a clear plastic and gives you the choice of 4 colors for the cooling coaster. A re-freezable disk is inserted into your choice of black, red, yellow or white coaster that keeps the beverage cool for up to four hours. Ideal for infused waters, juice, iced tea, or any other liquid that needs to be kept cool. The colors will allow you to easily identify the specific beverage you are looking for.

    The units feature a drip free spout and are of course, dishwasher safe, and the plastic construction makes them even more durable for outside use around the pools and anywhere else with the “NO GLASS ALLOWED” postings.

    Be sure to check out these newest arrivals at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment or contact any of our associates to answer any of your questions on this or any other product in this innovative line of kitchenwares.

    Category Hot Off The Shelf..., Kitchen Gadgets, New Products | Tags: ,,,,,, | No Comments

  5. HOT OFF THE SHELF: FRENCH COFFEE PRESS

    May 4, 2011 by Daniel

    According to the showroom and Internet sales staff, a “renewed” interest in the French coffee press has developed. I thought I would give some information on this rather unique kitchen apparatus.

    The French press goes by various names around the world. In Italy the press is known as a “Feurn de Leur”, a French name. In New Zealand, Australia and South Africa the apparatus is known as a coffee plunger, and coffee brewed in it as plunger coffee. Its French name is “cafetiere a piston”. In French, it is also known by its brand names, notably, Melior, from an old brand of this type. In the UK and the Netherlands the device is known as a cafetiere; the French word for a coffee maker or pot.

    The modern French press consists of a narrow cylindrical beaker usually made of glass or clear plastic, equipped with a lid and a “plunger”, made of metal or plastic, which fits tightly in the cylinder and which has a fine wire or nylon mesh filter. The simplicity of the mechanism and its potential for attractive after-dinner presentation have led to a variety of more-or-less aesthetic designs.

    A French press requires coffee of a coarser grind than does a drip brew coffee filter, as finer grounds will seep through the press filter and into the coffee. For this reason, if you do not already have a coffee grinder this would be the time to consider this addition to your kitchen. Coffee is brewed by placing the coffee and water together, stirring it and leaving to brew for a few minutes, then pressing the plunger to trap the coffee grounds at the bottom of the beaker.
    Because the coffee grounds remain in direct contact with the brewing water and the grounds are filtered from the water via a mesh instead of a paper filter, coffee brewed with the French press captures more of the coffee’s flavor and essential oils, which would become trapped in a traditional drip brew machine’s paper filters. As with drip-brewed coffee, French pressed coffee can be brewed to any strength by adjusting the amount of ground coffee which is brewed. If the used grounds remain in the drink after brewing, French pressed coffee left to stand can become bitter, though this is an effect that many users of French press consider beneficial.

    French presses are more portable and self contained than other coffee makers. Travel mug versions exist which are made of tough plastic instead of the more common glass, and have a sealed lid with a closable drinking hole. Some versions are marketed to hikers and backpackers not wishing to carry a heavy, metal percolator (yes, they still exist) or a filter using drip brew. Other versions include stainless steel, insulated presses designed to keep the coffee hot, similar in design to thermos flasks.

    A French press can also be used in place of a tea infuser to brew loose tea. However, the tea will continue to steep even after the plunger is depressed, causing the tea remaining in the press to become bitter and undrinkable.

    Well, that’s it in a nutshell. Be sure to check out the various coffee presses and grinders that we have at J.E.S. Kitchen Emporium have in the showroom and on our web site. If you have questions, please consult our knowledgeable sales team at toll free 866-200-6056.

    Happy brewing,

    Chef Phil

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  6. MICRO/HOME BREWING

    February 8, 2011 by Daniel

    5015 Polar Ware Thermometer

    MICRO/HOME BREWING

    The whole staff at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment want to wish you a HAPPY “BREW” YEAR with the announcement of the new line of brew pots and assorted micro/home brewing apparatus from one of our best suppliers of residential and commercial food equipment, Polar Ware.

    Without question, micro/home brewing or “craft beers” is gaining in popularity across the country. With more and more consumers demanding to know exactly where their food and beverages come from, micro/home-brewing is the responsible and green way to imbibe!

    If you are looking to get into this fun hobby, let J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment help you get started the right way, and you’ll quickly realize that micro/home brewing is deceptively easy and immensely rewarding. You will be surprised how truly easy it is to make your own beer.

    Choosing the right equipment is simple or complex or somewhere in between. Just as a chef requires quality equipment in his kitchen to make his best product, so too should the home brewer, that is why we handle the Polar Ware line of brew pots and associated equipment. It all depends on how many people you will be sharing your beers with and how much of that beer you personally intend on drinking. Now, I must say, drink responsibly and share wisely, you do not want to become known as the “neighborhood bootlegger”.

    There are numerous sites on the internet to supply you with various hops, grains etc. to brew the types of micro brew you are looking for, but rest assured that J.E.S. can fill your needs for the brew pots, lids for those pots, and smallwares that are needed for your new venture into the micro/home brewing operation.

    Listed below are a few web sites to assist you in making sure that all is legal in your state.

    Federal Law
    Home brewing is Federally legal. See Legal Status of Home brewing in the USA for information on the US statute addressing home brewing.

    State Laws
    The 21st Amendment predominantly leaves regulation of alcohol to the states. Thus, even though home brewing is federally legal, it is still up to individual states to legalize home brewing in state codes. The vast majority of states have legalized home brewing, though laws regarding home brewing vary widely.

    Category Hot Off The Shelf..., How To's, Kitchen Guides | Tags: ,,,,,,, | No Comments

  7. CHEF PHIL’S VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL MENU

    February 2, 2011 by Daniel

    With the approaching Valentines Day I will present a lovely all inclusive dinner suggestion for the ones that want to stay at home for this romantic holiday.

    MENU

    APPETIZER/SALAD: TOMATO BASIL BRUSCHETTA SALAD OVER MESCLUN MIX GREENS

    ENTREE: BEEF TENDERLOIN, STEAK AU PROIVE

    POTATO: ROASTED BABY REDS

    VEGETABLE: GRILLED MARINATED ASPARAGUS

    DESSERT: BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

    CHEF PHIL WILL BE GIVING US AN ENTIRE VALENTINE’S DAY MEAL FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. PART I OF THIS MEAL LATER TODAY….

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  8. WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR STOCKING THIS CHRISTMAS FOR THE CHEF IN YOUR FAMILY

    December 10, 2010 by Daniel

    What to put in the “stocking” of your favorite cook ?

    Little kitchen gadgets make a good Christmas gift for the one that does the cooking throughout the year. The shelves in the showroom at The J.E.S. Kitchen Emporium are loaded with just such items.

    I am going to suggest only a few and the reason I put “stocking” in quotation marks is because in place of the customary stocking on the mantel we are going to put the gifts in a heat proof oven mitt and hang it on the mantel as if it were a Christmas stocking. What? No mantel, no problem, lets just hang it on the refrigerator door. Herewith my suggestions:

    1. Silicone spatula 6. Metal spoons (slotted, perforated, or solid)
    2. Measuring spoons 7. Instant read thermometer
    3. Lemon zester 8. Pastry brush
    4. Wire whisk 9. Electronic timer
    5.Wooden handle spoons 10. Poultry baster

    ……and the list can go on, you are limited only by your imagination, stop by the showroom or call any of the sales staff to get the stocking stuffing started.

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  9. SALTS OF THE EARTH

    October 22, 2010 by Daniel

    The first thing we must do is realize that salt is not a spice, it should be thought of as a “flavor enhancer”.  That said, lets take a look at some of the specialty salts that are available to the cooks and chefs of today.

    The most familiar use of salt undoubtedly is in the kitchen and on the dining table. Salt accents the flavor of meat, brings out the individuality of vegetables, puts “oomph” into bland starches, deepens the flavor of delicate desserts, and develops the flavor of melons and certain other fruits. No other seasoning has yet been found that can satisfactorily take the place of salt.

    Coarse salt is made up of large-grained salt crystals. Most coarse salts are best used in a grinder, providing an easy way of serving up freshly ground sea salt with all of your meals. Coarse salt tends to be less moisture sensitive than its finer-grained counterparts, so it resists caking and is easily stored. Use coarse salt to grind over any dish, create a salt crust on meat or fish, and to flavor soups, stews and pasta.

    FINISHING SALTS

    Finishing salts are considered the premier varieties in the world of specialty salts. They are harvested—generally by hand—in special areas around the world and are known for their unique textures. The various finishing salt textures—usually either moist crystals or delicate flakes—provide a strong crunch and dissolve quickly, giving you a burst of clean, mild salty flavor with each bite. These salts bring out the depth of natural flavors of any dish, and also add to a beautiful table side presentation. The various colors and flakes of finishing salts make gorgeous garnishes for every meal.

    FLEUR de SEL:

    The premier finishing salt, Fleur de Sel literally translated means “Flower of Salt.” It is harvested from the very top of the salt ponds in the traditional Celtic methods. This artisan sea salt is comprised of “young” crystals that form naturally on the surface of salt evaporation ponds in the Guérande region of France. Paludiers (the salt harvesters of the Guérande region) carefully rake the salt crystals using only wooden tools. Just as the cream rises to the top, so does the best Fleur de Sel. The weather conditions must be just right to produce a good Fleur de Sel harvest, and the process can only be completed once a year, in the summer. Called the “caviar of salts” by chefs worldwide, true Fleur de Sel comes from the Guérande region of France, just like champagne, which must come from the Champagne region of France to be truly authentic. Also, similar to fine wine regions, different areas within Guérande produce salts with their own unique flavors and aroma profiles. Fleur de Sel is ideal for salads, cooked fresh vegetables and grilled meats.

    GREY SALT:

    Grey salt is a “moist” unrefined sea salt, usually found in the Brittany region of France’s Atlantic coast. Its natural light grey color comes from the minerals absorbed from the clay lining the salt ponds. The salt is collected by hand using traditional Celtic methods and wooden tools. Grey salt has gained great fame in the mainstream culinary world in the last few years, and is considered by many to be the best quality salt available. It is available in coarse grain – which is the perfect finishing or pinching size, stone ground fine – ideally used at the table instead of processed salts, and extra fine (Velvet) grain – perfect for sprinkling over nuts or popcorn.

    GRINDER SALTS:

    Grinder salts are typically large, dry crystals suitable for a salt mill or grinder. The large salt crystals are easy to grind in the mills, and the lower moisture content allows the salt to flow through with little hassle. Used for flavoring foods at the table when the host determines that a finer, higher grade finishing salt is not required. Also appropriate for use during cooking for freshly ground salt flavor.

    Note: Always use a salt mill with a ceramic or plastic grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, such as is found in pepper mills, will corrode and/or rust after prolonged contact with salt.

    KOSHER SALT:

    Kosher salt can refer to two types of salt—one is a specific shaped flake salt that is so named for its use in the preparation of meat according to the requirements of Jewish dietary guidelines. It contains fewer additives, and has a cleaner and more even taste than ordinary table salt. The flakes dissolve easily, and have a less pungent flavor than processed table salt. Due to the shape of the granules, there is simply less salt in a pinch of kosher salt than in a pinch of table salt. This is the kind of salt most often used on top of pretzels and on the rims of margarita glasses. It is important to note that all Kosher salt is not necessarily sea salt.

    The second type of Kosher salt is a salt that has been certified as Kosher by a prestigious organization or certifying body such as the Orthodox Union, or OU. This means that the salt has met the guidelines of kosher outlined by Jewish law, and upheld by kosher certification agencies and members of the Jewish Faith. The certification ensures that the product is produced and handled in accordance to these high standards, and is suitable for consumption for those following a kosher diet. All of the Artisan and SaltWorks brand salts, with the exception of any of the smoked sea salts, have been certified Kosher by the OU.

    I have only begun to scratch the surface of the “gourmet salts” on the market today.  There are some that have spices incorporated in the salts, ie: oregano and basil, to be used in an Italian style dish.

    The knowledgeable sales staff at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment and Kitchen Emporium can help you decide on your purchase and have a wide variety of very attractive salt and pepper grinders that also add to your “tablescape”.

    Happy cooking,

    Chef Phil


    Category Hot Off The Shelf..., Kitchen Guides | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, | No Comments

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