Treat Mom to a Meal

May 3, 2012
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

Mother’s Day is May 13th and approaching quickly. For those of you wondering what to buy for your mother or the mother of your children on this special day, may I offer a suggestion? Maybe it’s not what you can buy for her, but what you can do for her. You could prepare her a meal! I would start with the bread, since I believe that bread is one of the most important aspects of a meal! I think I would choose a baguette for this occasion. Then I would get some roast beef from our delicatessen. Lastly, I would pick up a nice cheese from our cheese island! Simply slice your baguette in half length wise and lightly toast it enough to melt your cheese, perhaps on your barbeque grill. Then heat up your roast beef in your au jus. With the baguette’s hard crust and soft crumb it is perfect for french dip sandwiches. And you’re set! If you do not eat meat you could always load up your baguette with a bunch of veggies and still be set. You haven’t spent a lot of money but you have given her something more important – great food, and most importantly, your time!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Stone Hearth

March 22, 2012
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

Did you know that every Harmons Artisan bakery has a stone hearth oven? What is a stone hearth oven? A brick or stone lined fireplace or oven often used for cooking and or heating. For centuries, the hearth played a key part in the home. In archaeology, a hearth is a firepit or other fireplace feature of any period. Initial usage refers to a place of warmth, heat, fire, or “heat of the earth!” Hearths are common fixtures going back to prehistoric campsites. This was the most common way to cook and heat interior spaces in the cool seasons. So you may ask yourself, why does Harmons have hearth ovens in their bakeries? That’s simple, quality! Bread baked in a hearth oven is far more flavorful than bread baked in a convection oven. It also allows you to achieve a thicker, darker, and heartier crust. In previous post (Does dark crust mean burned?) I talked about the carmelization of bread. That’s when the natural sugars on the surface of the bread reaches 325 degrees Fahrenheit, it begins to harden and darken, thus carmelization takes place! If you ask me, the crust is the most flavorful part of the bread. Did I mention every hearth oven is imported from Germany? I think this is just another example of Harmons going that extra step to make sure quality and their customers are the focal point!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

The “Best of” Valentine’s Day treats

February 9, 2012
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

As Valentine’s Day rapidly approaches, you are probably wondering what to do for that special someone. Maybe your plans include preparing a elegant dinner. If this is the case, you can stop by Harmons bakery. We have the bread to go with any meal you make, plus the pastries for after the meal. May I suggest our chocolate dipped strawberries?! We will have available 3 for $3.99 and 7 for $10.99! They are dipped in dark chocolate and will be made fresh in store at every Harmons location. If you are going out to eat you can still take advantage of the great pastries. Along with the strawberries, we have cakes, eclairs, cheesecake, and carmel scotchies, just to name a few. However, if you are really trying to impress your special someone, may I recommend the our Tira Misu. It is made with layers of marscapone mousse followed by made from scratch lady fingers, then topped with cocoa powder and coffee flavored chocolate beans. In my baking experience, a lot of pastry chefs order pre-made lady fingers. So, to have them made from scratch is just another example of Harmons is going that extra step for the sake of great product and satisfied customers! Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Reward yourself with a Caramel Scotchie

January 20, 2012
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

In my last blog I talked about the wonderful eclairs! This time I am going to stick with the pastry theme. Along with the eclairs, Caramel Scothies are my number one and number two favorites! Caramel Scotchies start with a shortbread base, followed with a thick layer of homemade caramel, topped a chocolate ganache, then on top of that goes a nice drizzling of butterscotch. By now I don’t think I need to mention that every component is made from scratch, do I? The caramel is so good that it is spectacular all by itself! Then you add shortbread, ganache and butterscotch. The Caramel Scotchie has been called “A Twix On Steroids” by its loyal followers! They are available every day at the Bangerter Crossing, Emigration Market, Station Park, District, Draper, Seventh Street, St. George, and Brickyard stores! So when you want to reward yourself, go for a Caramel Scotchie.

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Passionate About Pastry -Eclairs

December 29, 2011
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

Did you know that Harmons is working diligently on placing a pastry chef in every store? Right now about half of the stores have one! That being said, let me tell you about the Eclairs they make. First of all every component is made from scratch; the pate a choux is a light pastry dough that is also used to make cream puffs, french crullers and other delicious treats. Then comes the pastry cream, it is used to fill the pate a choux. You would think that would be enough, right? Well, then is then topped with the Ganache, which is made mostly of heavy cream and chocolate. Put it all together and there you have deliciousness! You can pick them up today for a $1.99 each (which in my opinion is a steal), at the Bangerter Crossing, Brickyard, Station Park, Draper, 7th Street, District, Emigration Market and St. George stores. Feel free to ask the pastry chefs about the pastries that they make – they are very passionate about their craft!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Your favorite bread now available everyday!

December 15, 2011
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

MMMMMMMM Breakfast! I have great news! You know that delicious bread that you have to wait until Friday to enjoy? Well it is now available every day at your Harmons bakery. Challah bread is made from scatch by our talented artisan bakers. Not only is it delicious as is, it makes wonderful french toast as well. I like to go that route but with one twist, I prepare the egg batter like I normally would, but instead of using a frying pan I use my waffle iron. It turns out more crispy and those little pokets from the iron are perfect for capturing the syrup. Need i say more? I think I will be having breakfast for dinner tonight, how about you?

No more waiting until Friday, your favorite Challah bread is now available every day!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Stollen Bread is Back!

December 1, 2011
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

One year ago I told you about the Stollen Bread! I wrote that it was developed in Dresden, Germany back in the 15th century. It is made specifically at Christmas time and that the ingredients were limited because there was a ban on the use of butter and milk. It is a bread like fruitcake that has an almond paste filling. Well, it’s back,and we use plenty of butter and milk in our recipe so you know it’s got to be delicious. It’s here for a limited time, so grab it before it’s gone for another year.

 

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Very suitable breads for Thanksgiving

November 21, 2011
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

You already know that Harmons artisan bread is delicious for so many uses, but did you know that it is terrific for Thanksgiving as well. Not only is it great for sandwiches after turkey day, but it makes wonderful stuffing! I often hear chefs say “I wouldn’t cook with wine that I would not drink,” meaning only cook with wine that is suitable for drinking! So I have that attitude about breads as well. Use the finest breads, and your stuffing will be that much better, right? The roasted garlic seemed to be very popular last year as well as the sourdough, and of course the country french. Which one will you choose? One thing is for sure, it will be more than suitable for your holiday dinner table!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency

November 3, 2011
Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

I have had the opportunity over last couple of months to travel from store to store and work with Harmons artisan bakers. I still have a couple of stores to visit, but I am glad to report at how consistent the bread is! If you have ever baked bread before, whether at home or for a living, you already know that many things can effect the consistency. The weather outside and the altitude are just a couple of factors that can greatly change the look and taste of your bread! Therefore, it is difficult to get the same product every day. So, I am impressed with the job that all of our artisan bakers are doing! Keep up the good work, the bread looks beautiful and tastes delicious as well.

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »

Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies!

October 20, 2011

Jason in Bakery

Jason, Artisan Baker

In my previous Cookies, Cookies, Cookies post I told you about the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. There I stated that they are my favorite cookie, and that they are reminiscent of the cookies my mom used to make. Well, Harmons has found a way to make them even better! We have removed the pumpkin pie spice, switched granulated sugar for brown sugar and added butterscotch chips instead of chocolate! These cookies are incredible, the only problem with them is that I can’t eat just a couple of them! So get in to Harmons and grab a package, but be advised they are that good!

Posted in Artisan by Jason Lindsay | No Comments »