# Blow torch recipes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785 "2006-12-19T15:57:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/21 "2006-12-19T23:02:40Z")
**Big Trouble** INGREDIENTS 2 or more bored 10-year-olds 1 blowtorch 1 stray cat 1 can gasoline (optional) DIRECTIONS Blend and leave unattended. Variation: Add Kool-Aid with grain alcohol or fortified wine before blending. Neighbor’s dog or backyard shed may be substituted for stray cat. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/22 "2006-12-19T23:40:27Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] In what recipes is a blow torch called for? I just got one as a gift, but my poor arteries can’t handle creme brulee on a regular enough basis to justify owning one. How long does it take to blow torch a frozen turkey to doneness? [/QUOTE] Seems to me that with a handy-dandy blow torch you could buy yourself a lot of real estate on your kitchen counter that is presently being wasted on a toaster… ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/23 "2006-12-20T01:58:47Z")
Custard fireball! ANYTHING fireball! You just need a length of hose attached to a funnel. Put 2 spoons of powdered whatever (I’ve used cornflour/starch, custard mix and non-dairy creamer to great success) in the funnel, position the funnel under the blowtorch flame, and blow! The sugar in the custard powder burns, giving a delightful roast marshmallowy smell. So, its not exactly a recipe for food - it’s a recipe for FUN! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/24 "2006-12-20T20:07:27Z")
You could try making Irish coffee but I don’t know where you’ll get the asbestos gloves these days. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/25 "2006-12-20T20:11:33Z")
Actually, last night I used it to crisp up some chicken skin that was looking a bit “wet.” ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/26 "2006-12-20T20:51:04Z")
I got some good ideas when I asked the same thing on [eGullet](http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=70798&hl=blowtorch). I don’t like it for toasting bell peppers though. The torch is so hot the skin falls off before the flesh has a chance to cook so what you get is a deskinned, raw pepper. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/27 "2006-12-20T21:01:38Z")
[QUOTE=Shalmanese] I got some good ideas when I asked the same thing on [eGullet](http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=70798&hl=blowtorch). [/QUOTE] Good stuff there, thanks. French onion soup seems like a great use for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/28 "2006-12-21T00:21:57Z")
I once saw Julia Child on the Letterman show, using a propane hand torch to make a patty melt. ---
**Author:** ![Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@Licentious\_Ectomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Licentious_Ectomorph)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/29 "2006-12-21T02:00:08Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip] **Big Trouble** INGREDIENTS 2 or more bored 10-year-olds 1 blowtorch 1 stray cat 1 can gasoline (optional) DIRECTIONS Blend and leave unattended. Variation: Add Kool-Aid with grain alcohol or fortified wine before blending. Neighbor’s dog or backyard shed may be substituted for stray cat. [/QUOTE] Is this supposed to be funny? Because I assure you it’s _not_. I’m sure I’m about to be piled on, but I have to look askance at anyone who finds humor in the idea of setting animals on fire. Ha ha, torturing small animals in the most hideous way imaginable, yeah that’s a real knee slapper. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/30 "2006-12-21T02:33:07Z")
You could conceivably make candy apple ribs. Dip the finished rack o’ ribs in cherry juice and then roll in brown turbinado sugar and torch them babies up! Make a hard candy rub. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/31 "2006-12-21T02:49:16Z")
[QUOTE=Licentious Ectomorph] Is this supposed to be funny? Because I assure you it’s _not_. [/QUOTE] Eh, it’s not my A-list material. I think the refund counter’s still open if you hurry. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/32 "2006-12-21T09:02:14Z")
[QUOTE=Shalmanese] I don’t like it for toasting bell peppers though. The torch is so hot the skin falls off before the flesh has a chance to cook so what you get is a deskinned, raw pepper. [/QUOTE] I think this just means you’re holding it too close to the skin. But I use a plumber’s blowtorch to toast peppers - much quicker. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/33 "2006-12-21T14:55:27Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Actually, last night I used it to crisp up some chicken skin that was looking a bit “wet.” [/QUOTE] Stuck in the back of my brain somewhere is this memory of a news report or article where they state that all of that delicious food in magazine pics, on TV commercials and some window displays is not as delicious as it looks. When the food exists only for the pretty picture the preparers do some weird things like - shaving cream used as a sub for whip cream Mashed potatoes made with paste or other unnatural additives and A whole raw turkey made to look fully roasted by takinf a blowtorch to the skin and carefullyh “painting” in the browness. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/34 "2006-12-21T14:58:27Z")
…rising steam coming from a tampon dipped in boiling water and hidden behind a food item or behind the back of the plate - the food itself is not steaming hot. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/35 "2006-12-21T15:02:32Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] …rising steam coming from a tampon dipped in boiling water and hidden behind a food item or behind the back of the plate - the food itself is not steaming hot. [/QUOTE] Yeah, well… Now I have a craving for rose hip tea. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/36 "2006-12-22T03:24:17Z")
[QUOTE=Dr. Rieux] I once saw Julia Child on the Letterman show, using a propane hand torch to make a patty melt. [/QUOTE] Ya gotta love the woman. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/37 "2006-12-22T05:08:14Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] **tdn** – We went to two restaurants in the past few months that had _creme brulee_, which I’d never had before, so we tried it. MilliCal loved it – except for that hard-crackle sugar crust on the top (that’s so hard to make and that some people die for). The second time we tried it, she insisted that someone else eat the crust off. [/QUOTE] The crust indeed is the best part, nay, the point of _crème brûlée_. MilliCal might want to try _crème caramel_ next time. It’s a similar idea, although usually a little bit lighter than crème brûlée, and instead of hard candy caramel on top, there’s a caramel syrup. So, in other words, flan. Wikipedia says they’re the same thing–I’ve noticed that flan usually has evaporated milk and/or condensed milk, while crème caramel doesn’t have either (that I’ve seen). Oh, the crust is not hard to make at all. Just sprinkly a layer of fine sugar, and blowtorch it or place it under a broiler. With the broiler, it is a little bit tricky to get it to brown evenly and not burn. With a torch, it’s simple. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/38 "2006-12-22T08:41:09Z")
You can use a blowtorch to finish off a Spanish tortilla when you’ve put far too much into it to turn it over in the pan. I wonder if one could use it to make pizza… ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/39 "2006-12-22T13:45:08Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] The crust indeed is the best part, nay, the point of _crème brûlée_. MilliCal might want to try _crème caramel_ next time. It’s a similar idea, although usually a little bit lighter than crème brûlée, and instead of hard candy caramel on top, there’s a caramel syrup. So, in other words, flan. Wikipedia says they’re the same thing–I’ve noticed that flan usually has evaporated milk and/or condensed milk, while crème caramel doesn’t have either (that I’ve seen). Oh, the crust is not hard to make at all. Just sprinkly a layer of fine sugar, and blowtorch it or place it under a broiler. With the broiler, it is a little bit tricky to get it to brown evenly and not burn. With a torch, it’s simple. [/QUOTE] I thought the preferred method entails using turbinado sugar–raw sugar. True, false, donna matter? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785/40 "2006-12-22T14:22:18Z")
[QUOTE=Licentious Ectomorph] Is this supposed to be funny? Because I assure you it’s _not_. I’m sure I’m about to be piled on, but I have to look askance at anyone who finds humor in the idea of setting animals on fire. Ha ha, torturing small animals in the most hideous way imaginable, yeah that’s a real knee slapper. [/QUOTE] Agreed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blow-torch-recipes/384785.md?page=3)