Month: January 2013

What the Heck is a Stalking Horse Bid? Definition & Origin

What the Heck is a Stalking Horse Bid? Definition & Origin

With all the talk of the Hostess company in bankruptcy, I wanted to know what the term ‘stalking horse’ meant to the financial markets as in recent news from Food Business News, a stalking horse bidder was named for the Hostess company. The plain definition 

What is Xanthan Gum? And Gluten-Free Flour Mixes

What is Xanthan Gum? And Gluten-Free Flour Mixes

Xanthan gum is used as a binding agent in doughs and acts as a stablizer, and is perfect for creating gluten-free flours. On Pastry Sampler, I’ve shared a couple of different recipes to try for gluten-free flour mixes a basic recipe based on rice flour 

Acticoa Chocolate – 8 Grams A Day for Health

Acticoa Chocolate – 8 Grams A Day for Health

Looking for an excuse to eat chocolate on a daily basis? Look to Callebaut for the answer. Their ‘Acticoa’ chocolate is processed to retain 80% of flavanols – which according to an article from Confectionery News is typically destroyed in the chocolate making process. Even 

Green Market Baking Book: 100 Delicious Recipes by Laura Martin

Green Market Baking Book: 100 Delicious Recipes by Laura Martin

Baked goods such as chocolate cupcakes and apple pie bring to mind family favorites and sweet treats. Is it possible to bake desserts like these without refined sugar? That was Laura Martin’s goal when she set out asking her culinary friends for recipes of baked 

ISM Cologne: The Future of Sweets – January 27-30, 2013

ISM Cologne: The Future of Sweets – January 27-30, 2013

ISM Chocolate Master It’s that time of year again – the ISM-Cologne Confectionery Trade Fair. The group calls itself ‘The World’s Leading Trade Fair for the Confectionery Industry.’ There was 35,000 visitors for the 2012 event with over 1,400 different exhibitors. This event targets the food trade,