The basics. 1-THE EQUIPMENT !

The baking business will require from my side, some investment in what actually will make the magic and transform my skills into delicious cakes, pastries, chocolate and anything else that my inspiration will bring. THE EQUIPMENT is fundamental in this business and it should most definitely be of good quality.

I have compiled a list of the necessary utensils, and ..well, it is pretty long, and also expensive. But well, I guess compared to many other businesses the investment is way much lower, and in any case even if this will not succeed I will still use all the equipment for my home. So I consider it a lifetime investment for my home.

1. First and the most pricey will be stand mixer. The most famous brand is Kitchen Aid, but also the most expensive, and personally I think that also other brands have great mixers, but are less expensive and the same quality. Kenwood is a great choice.

How my market stall should look like (stealing ideas)

In the past x months I have been searching and researching the internet for ideas, pictures, inspiration on how a cake stall should look like, or how other people are organizing and designing their own cake stall. Sounds probably ridiculous, but that's what I do :) I look for cake stalls around the world.

And, surprisingly I haven't really found many bloggers or websites belonging to cake stall holders, at least not on the European side. But also maybe because I use English for my search. However I have come across a superb blog/diary of a fine lady from London, who is basically doing what I would like to do. She owns a cake and pastries market stall, at the Saturday Broadway market, East London. Her blog has brought me so much peace that there are other people around the world doing what I want to do, and it is very much possible. I have contacted her, and will be very happy to meet her when I will go to London. I would even make a trip just to meet her, and ask kindly for her advice. I have once read a book called "Steal like an artist" which I would very much recommend to anybody who is in the creative field, and I have learnt that if you have an idol, or you found yourself inspired by somebody you shouldn't hide it, or be ashamed that your ideas are not just your ideas, but put it out there with pride and be thankful to those who inspire you.

And so now, I wish to present you Coco&Me which helped me get a better idea about how much work is involved in setting up a once a week market stall, and how I would like my stall to look like, or at least where to start from.

ISTANBUL..a lifetime love affaire!

I have fallen in love with Istanbul long before I have even seen it. The stories, the fame, the mysteries, the mosques, the energy...I have seen it all, before I have even been here. I have seen it in the books I've read, the pictures I've admired, the stories I've read. And it is all true...

BUT, it is more than books can ever describe, or pictures can ever capture. Because Istanbul is about the feeling, the smells, the colors, the vibe, the energy, the movement....which you cannot understand unless you have put your foot on the magic land of Istanbul.

Since my passion for baking has become a main objective of my life, being in Istanbul is like being in the Disneyland of bakeries. I am going mad, delusional, dizzy, with every step around the city, because around every corner there is a small bakery which smells like paradise, and every product looks like has been made by the angels of pastry. I am glad that I will not try my baking business here, because I would not stand a chance, to compete with these generations of masters in baking. However, this does not stop me to steal from them, and indulge myself with their delicious pastries. Gosh, please....every morning I pray to stay longer here, and every evening I decide that I must leave this addictive city.

Les Tartelletes...Bienvenue !

I simply adore the word : Tartelletes. It is such a cute/sophisticated way to express a mini tart :) Therefore I decided that on my stand there will be at least 3 different types of Tartelletes.

I very much like the lime ones, the raspberry ones and chocolate as well. Also I have recently read a recipe with caramelized walnuts which looked indeed very tempting.

The base of mini tarts can be made with different types of dough. The most common one is pate sucree or shortcrust pastry in english (sweet or savory), puff pastry (the dough used for croissant) or phillo pastry (multi-layer dough which is usually used for Turkish baklava).

Making tartelletes is a lot of fun, as once you have the base ready you can create many different fillings. They can be used with non baked fillings but also with fillings which need short time baking and not very high temperatures, as you can re-bake the tarts so that the filling sets.

Long story short, I think I much prefer now tarts and tartelletes, rather than heavy creams cakes. So I am finding different channels in my bakery to discover and explore, something healthier, easier, and let's call it an everyday treat.

Asians love the Cheesecake

Since I am in Asia for the last 5 months, I have been shopping a lot around all the bakeries, mostly in the big cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore..and I have noticed a common trend. Cheesecakes :)

I can't say I have ever been a big fan of cheesecake, I always took them as a very simplistic option...and would never choose a cheesecake in a bakery where the choice is soooo much wider and I could never settle on a ...cheesecake. But because here in Asia, it is so much available and promoted in bakeries, I decided to give a try, and have to say that I was quite impressed. It was indeed very tasty, creamy and also refreshing (..maybe that's why is so popular here:).

And now I am quite keen on developing my own recipes, and try all sorts of mixes. There can be strawberries, raspberries, lemon, orange, and many other options.But yes, the combination with berries or fruits it is indeed one of the most favorable. Once I will be back to my lovely Prague, and will have settled somewhere, I will make definitely taste-ing days, where I will bake about 4-5 different types of cheesecakes and will test them on you...yes, it means you will eat A LOT of cheese cake, if you are ready to commit to such a challenge :))

Now, I'm just curious...do you like cheesecake ?