Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A variety of pepper that originates from the East Indies. The ash-colored beans, which resemble peppercorns to some extent when dried, possess a sharp and zesty flavor similar to that of camphor. These beans are utilized in Eastern culinary traditions as well as in certain medicinal applications.  

A plain cake mixture made by rubbing in, often utilized as an alternative to pastry for topping fruit-based dishes. In the case of savory dishes, the sugar can be removed and replaced with cheese and seasoning to create a topping for meat-based dishes.  

A tasteful roast meal perfect for a celebratory event, comprising of either (1) six to seven rib chops from a lamb or (2) twelve ribs, half taken from each side of a pork loin. The chop bones are expertly trimmed and scraped, then partially separated and secured in a round shape with the meat bent…

A French sandwich typically made with ham and cheese. One slice of bread is buttered and topped with a slice of Swiss cheese, followed by ham and another slice of unbuttered bread. The sandwich is fried in butter until golden brown and the cheese is melted, then flipped and fried on the other side.  

A French pastry dessert that is popular during Christmas time, consisting of small profiteroles filled with pastry cream or whipped cream and piled into an inverted cone shape. The construction is held together with caramelized sugar cooked to the cracking point. It is known for its crisp and crunchy texture.  

Bread made from crushed whole grains, such as rye and wheat, and prepared in large, thin, brittle crackers, is known as crispbread. It is a popular food item in Northern and Eastern Europe, and can be topped with a variety of toppings, such as cheese, butter, smoked salmon, or cucumber. Crispbread is also a good…

Crème fraîche is a type of heavy cream that has undergone pasteurization, but then has lactic acids and ferments added back in. This results in a thick, tangy cream with a nutty flavor. While it is primarily found in France, it can also be found at specialty food stores in the United States. Crème fraîche…

This is a sweet French liqueur that is brown in color and has a cocoa flavor. It is known as crème de cacao.  

Whipped cream that is beaten until it forms soft peaks, as is done in the French method. It has a lighter texture than cream that is beaten more heavily, and increases in volume by only half. To make it, one should fold in 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon of vanilla to each…

Creaming is a method used in baking where butter and sugar are beaten together until they are light and fluffy in texture and color, resembling whipped cream. This technique is often used in cakes and cookies that contain a high proportion of shortening.