My Grandmother's Recipe Box

The simple   Paul Hollywood Ciabatta Recipe .  How simple is it?  The ingredients are few and the technique seems simple but there is also a bit of practice makes perfect needed here. So far I have made two tries at it.   The flavor was good in both but I made a crucial error on the 1st try so it was a bit dense.  I should have paid attention tot the kind of yeast - Instant Yeast means Fast Acting Yeast and I just breezed right past that distinction the 1st time.   I have some pics of both tries below. They both mixed up very well and formed a lovely dough ball. Gluten is really amazing to watch form. Try 1   Try 2 Try 2 The problem was in the rise - see difference in size of dough before and after proofing               Try 1 Before Try 1 After               Try 2 Before Try 2 After The shaping of the dough is a little ...

I have been inspired by binging the British Baking Show.  Though this recipe was not in my grandmother's recipe box, I know she would have approved and loved trying this French dessert.  I don't have the exact recipe as I usually search for recipes and then use part of several.  You can find recipes for all of these components so pick your favorites and put them together.  Poach the pears with sugar, cinnamon stick and lemon peel.   (Leaves you with a great simple syrup to make a cocktail with if you are so inclined) Make a sweet short crust and blind bake.   You can buy baking beans or just use regular beans. Slice the pears and fan them out a bit  Make frangipane Fill the tart with frangipane  Place the pears on the tart and bake.  Cover the crust with foil so it doesn't burn.  Share and Enjoy!