Molding Foods

Written Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 by Theresa H Hall

At some time or another, most cooks have used a mold of some type. There are ice cube trays, martini glasses, pie tins, loaf pans, cake pans, muffin pans, rings, jello molds, popsicle molds and candy ones, too. They come in all shapes and sizes and are made out of different materials. A few of them are shown here: Brioche à têt mold and cream horn molds and some baker molds. One is for the most decadent French bread, that when baked has a knob on top, and the other is to wrap strips of puff pastry around and around it, in order to create a cone-like container, which will hold pastry cream or whipped cream.

Many of the molds can be used for savory cuisine as well as for desserts. Since I was instructed at an early age not to play with my food, I will say that I usually consider molding my desserts and not my main course. Some molds are constructed out of materials you can purchase at your local hardware store. Acrylic and acetate sheeting, for example, is used to help hold frozen components of desserts in place, while larger portions are cut and made into a circle which helps when you are building layered or speciality cakes. Many of the FoodTV Chefs use these types of materials during their competitions. Blowtorches are also used, but that is for another segment.

Molds help us to make something delicious more alluring to our families, guests or, in a professional setting, the diners. These tools help cooks worldwide create the difference between a grand display and one that is blase`. Tools in the kitchen arena are either simple, or complex and expensive luxuries. While these cream horn molds came six to a package and costs $3.95 + tax & shipping, the large Brioche à têt mold costs $18.95 + tax & shipping. If you are careful to clean and dry them thoroughly, and take very good care of them, then your investment in kitchen tools should be worthwhile, because they will last you for years to come. Think about passing down a few items to your children, and someday your grandchildren. The tools that we use to mold our food can be treasures that will be used way into the future. Make some delicious memories with your molds or pans today.