Food Trend for 2009 - Baking @ Home

Posted by Jacqueline Church Jan 5, 2009

Food and Wine, Saveur, Gourmet, chefs resources all over the place and periodicals for home cooks and foodies are busy on their summer ideas right about now. But a few months ago when they were working on tabulating food trends for 2008 and predicitons for 2009, what was on the collective culinary mind?

One clear trend is to go local, sustainable, organic when it doesn't break the bank. If you want to get big satisfaction for pennies, wow your family, make friends with your neighbors, I have two words for you:

Start Baking!

There is simply no better way to make love with food. Okay, maybe there are some but this is not our topic today. Baking bread is a universally appealing smell. And my delight at rediscovering the joy of baking is only heightened by the fact that it is so inexpensive! What else can you do for pennies that creates this much joy?

One of my most popular articles is the Perfect Pie Crusts recipe. Here's a shocker: I found a better recipe.

I also have two fabulous sources to share. One is Cindy Mushet's Art and Soul of Baking and the King Arthur Flour company's Baker's Banter Blog.

I promise you if you try just one or two recipes from the KAF blog or one or two peeks into Mushet's book, you'll discover or re-discover the world of baking and the joys of perfect pies and hot bread from the oven.

Plus, you'll be saving money and setting a trend.

See my Adventures in Sourdough slideshow here.

Right now there are two loaves of a rustic loaf (slightly sourdough, not fully) with thyme and carmelized onion baking in the oven and filling the loft with the most divine smell.

Christmas morning we had sourdough popovers. New year's day a quiche. Pear and caramel tartlettes with the leftover piecrust were dessert the next night.

This recipe makes a wonderful and fool proof pie crust: Thanks to KAF!