Preheated Host on The Food Show

Andrea Ballard

On Wednesday, June 3, Andrea was a guest on one of her favorite all-time radio shows, The Food Show with Tom and Mary-Anne Fitzmorris. Click here to listen to the June 3 show on their website. Loyal listeners may recall that the hosts baked and reviewed Tom’s recipe for crème brûlée back in Episode 21. It was a such a big hit! Andrea made the ramekin size while Stefin made one big brûlée. How about making some today in honor of National Egg Day? Here’s a link to Tom’s crème brûlée recipe.

Andrea went on the show with every intention of talking about no bake desserts, but got sidetracked reminiscing about London (Mary-Anne’s favorite city), Borough Market, the amazing selection of curds and marmalades at Fortnum & Mason, and 100% chocolate (what?!).

Fortnum & Mason wall of curds and marmalades

Andrea shared her Top Three Tips she’s learned from producing Preheated and baking every single week for almost four years.

Top 3 Lessons Learned

  1. Minimize distracted baking. If you think you can turn your timer off and watch your cookies that one remaining minute needed to finish, think again. You’re more likely to get distracted by the phone, the doorbell, or the dog, and end up with a burned dish. Whenever using the broiler, working with hot syrup, or performing a kitchen task that only needs a ‘minute or two’ stay in the kitchen, stay focused, and use your timer.
  2. Preheat your oven longer than instructed. When the timer dings to let you know your oven is preheated, wait a bit longer. That timer tells you that one spot in your oven has reached your desired temperature, but that doesn’t mean the whole oven is the temperature you need. Continue to preheat another 15 – 20 minutes, so all of the walls, floor and roof of your oven are completely heated and will radiate evenly on your baked goods.
  3. Baker’s spray. Andrea and Stefin discovered the magic of Baker’s Joy back in Episode 2 when they made Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake. Using a baker’s spray relieves you of the odious task of getting butter into every nook and cranny of the pan, and guarantees a beautiful release, every time.

If you’re lucky enough to live in New Orleans, you can listen and call in to The Food Show with Tom and Mary-Anne Fitzmorris on WGSO 990AM radio every weekday between 2:00 – 4:00 PM.