Autumn – it's not just about those mesmerizing leaves and that brisk chill in the air; it's a culinary awakening for chefs. As nature adorns new colors, kitchens to embark on a gastronomic adventure. With each passing week, menus evolve, bringing us closer to autumn's bountiful embrace. And having Vulcan’s TCM Combi in your kitchen is like having an extra pair of skilled hands to assist all season long.
Here are 5 reasons we love fall cooking with the TCM.
1. Harvest Heroes on the Plate
There's something so satisfying about cooking in the fall. Pumpkins, apples, pears, and hearty root veggies - the season gifts us its best. Whether you're crafting that perfect apple pie or roasting veggies just right, the TCM Combi ensures these gems will shine bright on your menu. The perfect texture can be achieved by going into the combi's ABC mode, which automatically adjusts humidity based on temperature and time, or JET mode, which gives you full control of the TCM Combi.
2. Enter: The Comfort Classics
When it's cold outside, there's a natural yearning for warmth. Remember the fresh salads of summer? Now, imagine the embrace of rich stews, heartwarming roasts, and divine baked treats. Product consistency is key when making these items. With the TCM Combi, comfort classics can easily be programmed into the oven's interface, so you'll have reliable results every time. Your guests will come back for these restaurant favorites. These aren't just meals; they're memories, love, and warmth served on a plate.
3. Tip of the Hat to Our Farmers
Refreshing your menu isn’t just a creative pursuit. It's an ode to the hardworking hands that nurture and harvest. By spotlighting seasonal treasures, you’re supporting local farmers. It’s fresh, sustainable, and keeps culinary hearts beating. Plus, with the TCM Combi, we're cutting down those carbon footprints one dish at a time. The oven produces consistent results and takes away cooking mistakes, so there's no waste due to cooking errors.
4. A Symphony of Spices
Ah, the spices of fall – they're music to a chef's ears. That iconic pumpkin spice? It’s more than a trend; it's autumn in a jar. If you’re feeling adventurous in your kitchen, here's our special spice mix:
Cinnamon: 4 tbsp
Ginger: 2 tbsp
Nutmeg: 2 tsp
Allspice: 1 tsp
5. Pumpkin Spice Pepita Sticky Buns with Vanilla Bean Frosting and Candied Bacon
Speaking of pumpkin spice, we took our special blend (plus petitas and candied bacon!) to enhance a breakfast favorite for the season - Pumpkin Spice Pepita Sticky Buns with Vanilla Bean Frosting and Candied Bacon.
See our recipe below and try them in your kitchen.
TCM: Pumpkin Spice Pepita Sticky Buns with Vanilla Bean Frosting and Candied Bacon
Preparation Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 18-20 sticky buns
Ingredients:
Dough
7 1/2 to 8 1/4 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
½ cup Sugar, granulated
1 tablespoon Salt
4 teaspoons Instant yeast
1 1/2 cups Whole milk
1 ½ cups Pumpkin purée
8 tablespoons Butter, unsalted, cold
1 Egg, large
Filling
1/2 cup Light brown sugar
2 tablespoons Pumpkin pie spice
4 tablespoons Butter, softened
Frosting
4 cups Confectioners' sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
4 to 6 tablespoons Milk
Garnish
1 pound Bacon, thick slice
1/2 cup Brown sugar1 tbsp Black pepper, ground
½ cup Pumpkin seeds
Directions:
Dough:
1. Warm the whole milk until it's lukewarm (around 100°F or 37°C).
2. In a bowl for the stand mixer, combine 7 1/2 cups of the flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Stir until blended.
3. Slowly add in the lukewarm milk, pumpkin puree, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Dice the cold butter and gradually incorporate into the dough, kneading until it's fully integrated.
5. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
Filling:
1. In a bowl, mix together the light brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
2. Once the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
4. Sprinkle the sugar-spice mixture over the buttered dough.
5. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough into a log.
6. Cut the log into 1 1/2-inch sections.
Candied Bacon Garnish:
1. On ABC mode, preheat TCM Combi to 350°F.
2. Mix brown sugar and ground black pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat each bacon slice with the sugar-pepper mixture.
4. Lay bacon slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crispy, watching closely to prevent burning. Let it cool and then crumble or cut into small pieces.
Frosting:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, vanilla bean paste, and 4 tablespoons milk. Adjust consistency with additional milk as needed. The frosting should be smooth and easily spreadable.
Assembly & Baking:
1. On ABC mode, preheat TCM Combi to 330°F
2. Place the sliced sticky buns in a greased baking dish, leaving some space in between each.
3. Let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Once out of the oven, while still warm, generously spread frosting over the sticky buns.
6. Garnish with candied bacon and pumpkin seeds.
Serve your Pumpkin Spice Sticky Buns warm and enjoy the combination of fall flavors with a savory-sweet bacon crunch!
View the video tutorial here.