BAKE UP A STORM

IF YOU HAD TO HAVE ONLY THREE BAKING TINS

Of course, all cooking brings me pleasure. I am a chef, after all. But baking? Oh boy, it brings out the perfectionist in me – in the best possible way. I’d often peruse the local markets and brocantes in Nice just to see what baking relics they have, to try something new with something old. But nothing beats having a few mainstays in the kitchen; classic tools that are also super versatile, and that you know you’ll use over and over again. These are some of my best recent discoveries.

BAKER’S DELIGHT LOAF TIN
If you didn’t think of bread straight away, I bet you thought of a madeira cake or some other sweet surprise. All classic options, but when last did you tip your hat to the 70s and make your own terrine? A loaf tin is absolutely perfect for that. Can’t you just see a wild mushroom terrine setting in this baby? What I really like about this loaf tin is the grooves on the underside of the base. I’m sure they make for excellent heat distribution, but just imagine what a pretty tuile you could craft out of them.

BAKER’S DELIGHT MINI BUNDT CAKE TIN
This is just too cute! Of course, tiny little bundt cakes would look so elegant at your next ooievaarstee, but don’t get too carried away with the sweets. If you bake your favourite bread recipe in these little moulds, you’ve got a fantastic staple for your next starter. In fact, mix in some grilled corn and Boerenkaas – and fill the hole in the centre with a dollop of butter – and you may as well skip the mains. Come to think of it, why not Bundt out your whole spread the next time you host a kitchen tea with sweet and savoury Bundts?

BAKER’S DELIGHT CRISPER
I’ve heard of oven chips, of course, but this punctured baking tray is just fantastic. It lets you crisp your chips without submerging them in oil. In other words, it’s great at drying things out. Why not try to flavour your own Kalahari salt with wine or rooibos smoke? You can even dehydrate your own edible flowers, like violas, lavender, nasturtiums and even bougainvillea flowers, which are surprisingly high in vitamin C and antioxidants. You can even use this tray to dry out your next batch of rusks. It might even go quicker, come to think of it.