Glaze (cooking) explained

In cooking, a glaze is a glossy, translucent coating applied to the outer surface of a dish by dipping, dripping, or using a brush. Depending on its nature and intended effect, a glaze may be applied before or after cooking. It may be either sweet or savory (in pâtisserie, the former is known as glaçage); typical glazes include brushed egg whites, some types of icing, and jam (as in nappage), and may or may not include butter, sugar, milk,[1] oil,[2] and fruit or fruit juice.[3]

Examples

Doughnut glaze is made from a simple mixture of confectioner's sugar and water, which is then poured over the doughnuts. Some pastries have a coating of egg whites brushed-on. Some pastries use a "mirror glaze", which is glossy enough to create reflections,[4] and some candies and confections are coated in edible wax glazes, often during tumbling.

A savory glaze such as demi-glace can be made from reduced stock or meat glaze that is poured onto meat or vegetables. A glazed ham may have its glaze applied before baking, basted with it during, or produced after, as with a brown sugar mix being heated by a torch.

History

The origin of glaze recipes can be traced to the medieval British period. A typical medieval English glaze was the 'Elizabethan' glaze made from lightly beaten egg white and sugar used predominantly on pastries of the time.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How To Make a Basic Cake Glaze. Rattray. Diana. About.com. 26 June 2013. 26 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130426092545/http://southernfood.about.com/cs/cakerecipes/ht/basic_glaze.htm. dead.
  2. Web site: Super Easy Ways to Introduce Coconut Oil to Your Diet . Oily Oily. 26 June 2013.
  3. Web site: Fresh Fruit Glaze. 14 June 2007. Food.com. 26 June 2013.
  4. Web site: White Chocolate Mirror Glaze Recipe (Video Technique). Iso. Justin. www.chefiso.com. en-US. 2017-09-22.
  5. Web site: About Glazing . 2022-11-21 . ifood.tv . en.