Cocktail hour - what’s on our minds?  

Granumel redux - process recap

• The one time I found that it does not function as a good sugar replacement. Cranberry tart dough.

Difference between mascarpone, sour cream, and cream cheese? Let's throw ricotta in there too

• Milk Fat Content - Cream Cheese 33% vs Mascarpone which has 60-70% 

• Sour Cream is fermented - closer to yogurt in process whereas the cheeses are generally “thickened” with acid.

• Ricotta is only heated to get the curds to separate.

Talk through balsamic reduction process at high level

Combine sugar and balsamic vinegar

Reduce by half

Recipe Source

Stella Parks at Serious Eats

Toasted Sugar Recipe

Ingredients 

Sugar

Nectarines

Bread

Balsamic

Honey

Something “Hot”

Mint?

Basil? 

Tarragon?

Cilantro?

Thyme? 

Special Equipment 

9- by 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish

Pan for balsamic

Baking sheet for crostini