The All-Purpose Baker's Companion Reviewed by Ruth Paget

The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion Reviewed by Ruth Paget 

The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion edited by King Arthur Baking Company is an excellent reference for things bread from around world, cookies, scones, crackers, pies, and cakes. 

However, the recipes that convinced me to buy the book are its flour meal recipes (mehlspeisen in German) that help with keeping a household budget low while providing protein and calcium in most cases. The book’s recipes are precise and assist novice and experienced cooks with making the basic recipe easy so they can add ingredients rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. 

The recipes that have helped me with menu planning over the years include: 

-pancakes 

-waffles 

-French toast 

-crêpes 

-cheese blintzes 

-banana bread 

-pumpkin bread 

-zucchini bread 

-lemon bread 

-berry cobblers 

-pizza dough 

-lemon bar cookies 

-croissants 

-brioche 

Nutritionists might be aghast, but I have eaten all these items along with blueberry muffins and banana walnut muffins when I was a student at the University of Chicago for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I like these dishes, and they are easy to prepare. 

Pancakes and waffles are versatile I learned from my Dutch friend’s mother in Detroit (Michigan). You can use syrup, sugar, or jam on them or savory items liked creamed chicken and vegetables. Croissants can also be treated this way. 

Knowing how to make Detroit or grandmother pizza is a lifesaver in a blizzard. The pizza dough for this type of pizza is placed in the middle of a rectangular pan and pushed outwards. Spaghetti sauce can double as tomato sauce. There’s big savings in grandma pizza. 

Another big money saver is making croissants at home. Use egg wash to give the exterior a crunchy bit. 

Readers interested in the following careers might find this book useful: 

-fundraisers 

-event planners 

-chefs 

-caterers

-cruise directors 

-restaurant managers  

General readers might find some tips for lowering household expenses in The All-Purpose Baker’s Companion edited by The King Arthur Bakery Company. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

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Eating Crunchy Fried Shrimp by the Pacific at The Brass Tap in Marina, California by Ruth Paget

Eating Crunchy Fried Shrimp by the Pacific at The Brass Tap in Marina, California by Ruth Paget 

I have to admit that my favorite bar food is fish and chips, but when beer-battered fried shrimp is available, I always order that. The Brass Tap in Marina, California offers both fish and chips and deep-fried shrimp in basket meals. 

The night my family went to The Brass Tap, my husband Laurent and I ordered the fried shrimp basket with French fries and coleslaw. Our daughter, Florence Paget, ordered the fish and chips basket. The coleslaw was creamy with pepper added and there were lots of fries. We all liked the basket meals and thought the amount of fish and shrimp was substantial. 

Both of these meals taste great in a cold, salty night breeze off the Pacific Ocean. The doors were open as we came in letting in the breeze and fog. There is seating in upholstered chairs and sofas outside with fire pits and colored lights overhead as well. 

I just love eating deep-fried shrimp dunked in spicy cocktail sauce and fries dunked in plenty of ketchup in weather like this. As I wrote that, I know full well that I am enticing East Coasters to dine at The Brass Tap, which offers those items at a reasonable price with 140 beers on tap. I had iced tea with my meal, but in the past I have drunk English Newcastle Brown Ale with fish and chips, and Czech Pilsner Urquell with fried shrimp. 

For diners looking for variety in fish and seafood, The Brass Tap has other options that look good including: 

-Boom Boom Shrimp in addition to other appetizers like Buffalo Cauliflower and Fried Green Beans  

-Blackened cod tacos 

-a Tap Salad with shrimp, lettuce, cheddar jack cheese, smoked bacon, tomatoes, and red onion (This salad shows off everything that is great about the Monterey County region.) 

The Brass Tap is a neighborhood bar by California State University Monterey Bay. Faculty and staff eat here along with older students. The music is slightly loud with a youthful ambience. On the weekends, there is a live DJ and karaoke. 

I think The Brass Tap is fun and offers the fish and seafood I like. The other food items are multicultural with items like BBQ wings, tacos, pizza, and Asian BBQ sandwiches on the menu. 

The Brass Tap is located right off Highway 1 down the street by Starbucks and close to Marina’s Century Theatres with lots of parking and good eating. 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

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