Vol. 13, Issue 5, May 2022
®
Your community. Your magazine.
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 20,000 Homes In Odessa, Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:
Ashley Lakes, Ballantrae, Belle Meade, Calusa Trace, Canterbury, Cheval, Citrus Greens, Concord Station, Devonwood, Dolce Vita on Lake Keystone, Echo Lake, Farmington Village, Fern Glenn, Grey Hawk at Lake Polo, Heritage Harbor, Ivy Lake Estates, Keystone Groves, Keystone Manors, Keystone Reserve, Keystone Shores, Lake Charles, Lake Church, Lake Parker Estates, Lakeside Grove Estates, Northlake Village, Northbridge at Lake Pretty, Northton Groves, Oakstead, Orange Blossom Creek, Reflections, Steeple Chase, Starkey Ranch, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes
Family-Owned Roofing Company Prides Itself on Five-Star Service By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Imagine being in the roofing industry and maintaining a spotless standing in the community for 70 years. Founded in New York in 1952 by Santis Squitiro, Sr., and relocated to Florida in 1974, Acoma Roofing Inc. is a family-owned business in Oldsmar. When son Steve Squitiro joined his father in 1983, it was humble beginnings - the two men and a truck. Ten years later, Steve’s young brother, Santis Squitiro, joined the family business. Now operated by See “Acoma Roofing” on page 20
Donna’s Cleaning Angels Honors Angel Steve Insolia By Joy Bergman
See “Cleaning Angels” on page 18
For thirty years, the homegrown small business of Donna’s Cleaning Angels has been blessing those in the Tampa Bay area with impeccable cleaning and out-of-this-world customer service. The company has built an awe-inspiring reputation for being the “Number 1” cleaning crew in the Bay-area. In addition to providing topnotch services to their clients, Donna’s Cleaning Angels are
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor........................5 Tech Talk......................................8 SAT/ACT..................................10 Decorating Den...................16-17 Jacobson Culinary Arts............22
2 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 3
4 MAY 2022
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Happy Mother’s Day, May The 4th be with you! May is full of holidays, commemoramedia franchise observe it by retions, proclamations, awareness events, watching the Star Wars movies, wearing Star Wars celebrations, and tacos, yes… costumes, sharing movie quotes and tacos! posting funny memes on social media. The 2nd Sunday of May we internaThe date was chosen for the pun on the tionally celebrate Mother’s Day. I would catchphrase “May The Force Be With like to personally wish my mother, BeYou” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” rardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Also in May, many look forward to Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that role model. I wouldn’t be the woman celebrates the Mexican army’s 1862 vicI am today without your unconditional tory over France at the Battle of Puebla love and support. Thank you mom, for during the Franco-Mexican War. Cinco being the best woman I know. Your de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday strength, honesty, courage and resilin Mexico, but in the United States has ience make me incredibly proud to be evolved into a huge commemoration your daughter. of Mexican culture and heritage. The To all mother’s, grandmothers, great Holiday is frequently confused with grandmothers, and foster moms, I wish “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which in you all a very Happy Mother’s Day! reality, takes place on September 16th. Remember, successful mothers are not Finally, I want to bring your attenthe ones that never struggle or get frustion that May also marks Lyme Disease trated; they are the ones that never give Awareness Month. up, despite the struggles and continue Even though Lyme disease may not loving unconditionally. be too common here in Florida, you can Observed yearly on the last Monstill get infected. Take it from someone day of May, Memorial Day is a federal who is currently battling this debilitatholiday that commemorates all men ing and life-altering condition. I spent and women who have died in the line several years not knowing what was of duty while serving in the military for wrong with me, not understanding why the United States of America. This 2022 I was feeling so sick and tired all of the Memorial Day will be celebrated on time, until I was properly diagnosed by Monday 30. President Biden will give a an infectious disease doctor. speech on this day, and usually parades Fighting Lyme has been an uphill and other celebrations are hosted across battle, but with the proper treatment, I the Nation to remember our fallen am finally feeling like myself again. It’s soldiers that sacrificed their lives for been tough to open up to everyone our freedom. Please take a moment to about this, but if I can help raise awareremember them this Memorial Day. ness with my own story, then so be it. If Multiple small businesses will be you’re struggling to find a proper diagoffering magnificent Memorial Day and nosis, and you believe it could be Lyme Mother’s Day specials, one-of-a-kind ofrelated, please feel free to reach out to fers, and fantastic discounts on merchan- me directly at carla@nnlflorida.com and dise, products, and services. So please I will gladly share the health resources make sure to carefully browse this issue and specialists that have helped me live of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so a healthier life, despite my diagnosis. you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming May! Until next time, Star Wars fans? May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Wars. Fans of the For or tbnewsandlifestyles.com MAY 20222021 5 5 For Advertising Advertising Info Info 727-943-0551 727-943-0551 II info@nnlflorida.com info@nnlflorida.com or visit visitStar tbnewsandlifestyles.com OCTOBER
Carla Dubis Tedeschi
6 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 7
Tech Talk with Bob - “The Call”: Did you get the Call?
By Bob Dalles Did you get the call? If so, what did you do? Did your friends get the call? If so, what did they do? Maybe neither one of you got the call… yet. What will you or your friends do when you get the call? Well, I am going to help you with this situation. This information can save you hundreds of dollars! Criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I personally have received “the call” several times myself. My mom received it last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a reputable company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller tells you that a corruption was identified on your computer. Then offer you a free scan of your computer to verify the corruption. Most people will be happy to agree to do this because it is FREE. For these criminals to run this free scan they
8 MAY 2022
must be in control of your computer. They ask you to log onto the internet with your computer, download a file and run it. The caller starts the scan. Now they have you. Once you download that file, you are in trouble. You should be able to observe the scan from your computer screen. The caller will chit chat with you about the scan and then move the conversation to more personal information like your name, address, phone number and email address. When the scan is finished the caller will confirm that you have the corruption and assure you, they can fix it right now. Most people get worried when they hear there is a problem with their computer, so they tell the caller to fix it. However, now the caller proceeds to ask for credit card information because they were not hired by Microsoft, Apple, etc. They want your money. Many people will pay thinking everything is fine. Others will say no because they thought that this was a free offer to find and fix the corruption. If you refuse to pay, the caller may make threats like saying your computer is going to crash or you may not be able to connect to the internet. The file they ask you to download and run to scan your system may actually sabotage your computer. So, if you refuse to pay, you may have unknowingly introduced the caller’s corruption into your computer. $499.00 is the typical amount they ask for; however higher amounts have been reported. Here’s the catch: The scan to confirm the existence of the “so
called corruption” was FREE, to fix the corruption will cost you. Here’s the BIGGER catch: you do not have the corruption they are trying to convince you you have. This whole call is a hoax. They want to scare you into thinking you have a corruption and offer you a way to diagnose it for FREE. And then get you to pay for the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been around for a long time because it works and makes these criminals a lot of money. Now that you are aware of this scam, you will not become one of their victims. So, what do you do when you get this type of call? Hang up. As long as you hang up before downloading and running the scan file the caller instructs you to download. If you have already downloaded the scan file, then you will want to immediately turn off your computer and call me at 727-534-4000 to check your computer to verify it is not infected or otherwise compromised. Until then, leave it off. Are you certain your computer is safe? You don’t have to do this alone my Friend. My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and keep it running. My team repairs computers and secures them, on our bench, onsite in your home or office, and even remotely. We have the best solutions already in place and we’re only a phone call away. Call us anytime at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!
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MAY 2022 9
SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: END OF SCHOOL YEAR By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Exam Dates: SAT on June 4th and August 27th; … ACT on June 11th, and July 16th. May is one of the most intriguing months on the school calendar with AP Exams (ouch! or hooray!), most seniors having some level of “senioritis”, juniors anticipating being the “top dogs” next year, and sophomores feeling a little “salty” as they move towards finishing the year. Then there is the question, “What about those SAT and/or ACT Exams? Right now I have SENIORS intently working to boost their scores to qualify for the 75% or 100% Bright Futures’ Scholarship. The good news about Bright Futures is the last exams to qualify are the SAT on June 4th, and the ACT on June 11th. And each of these exams has some days after school is done for final studying. Sometimes this involves the full exam, sometimes only one or two areas in what we call “SKILL STRENGTHENING”. One student in the verbal strengthening came to me with a 520, over 150 points below her math score. Now, she is testing at a 650+ range in Writing and Language and Reading which combine into what I call the “Verbal” score. Another on the ACT is working on his math and science, which have already jumped four points in each category. One of my current seniors has already scored a 1540 on his
10 MAY 2022
SAT, and wants to aim for a 1600 to improve his chances of admission to his “dream school”. Two years ago I helped a young lady from Palm Harbor University High School with the same profile and goal, and she did score a 1600 on her SAT. Most of my JUNIORS would like to hit their desired scoring levels in spring or summer so they don’t have to worry about this factor during their senior year. Usually, these students have relatively high GPAs, but lower than expected exam scores. The good news is this type of student usually “takes off” with their exam scores after they build on their current, academic foundation with our techniques, increasing familiarity witH “curve balls”(those questions seldom encountered but when it happens a student either knows how to do them or is guessing), and, of course, reducing the number of questions where a student has to guess. Many of my current SOPHOMORES/RISING JUNIORS are getting familiar with the exam(s) and preparing for the PSAT next October which is the only national qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships. Having helped three National Merit Finalists, qualifying can mean major, additional scholarships and a strong position for applying to “Top 5” through “Top 25” schools. My JUNIORS and some SOPHOMORES are usually focused on getting ahead with preparing for the SAT
and/or ACT and either work over the spring, or get set to prepare starting right after school finishes for the ACT in mid-July and/or the SAT the last Saturday in August. For students wanting to do a combination class of ACT and SAT, we can finish either the week just before school resumes in August (with a complementary, additional review class the week before the SAT), or the week before the actual SAT Exam. During the summer, we easily schedule around family vacations, summer jobs, athletic commitments, and “surprises” as they may arise. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727253-0639 or send me an email at wwa0811@mykolab. com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200+ points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8 of the top 10 universities in the
country, 18 of the top 25, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.
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MAY 2022 11
12 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 13
14 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 15
4 Reasons Your Floors Need an Area Rug! Looking for a simple way to spruce up a room with hardwood flooring? All it takes is the perfect area rug. But it’s not only a stylish piece of décor – it’s a floor covering your home could use for more reasons than one. In part one of our series, we’ll cover a few. For starters, an area rug has a way of bringing a room together. Choosing one in the perfect size will connect all of
16 MAY 2022
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Lastly, the best reason to invest in an area rug: they’re portable. When you choose to install carpeting over your hardwood floors, you’re stuck. With an area rug, you can move it around the room or replace it! They’re one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your home. your furniture and make
problems of the past.
everything feel cohesive.
you don’t. With an area rug, you can give your
How often do you
feet warm, cozy relief
how they protect your
enjoy walking across your
from those days spent
floors. A rug can make
hardwood flooring on a
sprinting from the kitchen
spills, stains and scuffs
cold day? Chances are,
to the couch.
And let’s not forget
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Need help? Call Decorating Den
Interiors, Sally Giar 727789-4886
MAY 2022 17
“Cleaning Angel” story continued from page 1
also punctual, trustworthy, and most importantly, caring. And now, it’s time to honor one very special and caring angel who helped make it all happen, Steve Insolia. Donna’s late husband Steve helped grow Donna’s Cleaning Angels to the huge success that it is today. Unfortunately, Steve passed away from Covid on Februrary 18th of 2021, leaving a void with Donna. “You never told me how to live the rest of my life without you,” Donna says in Steve’s memory. “I honor you, I miss you, and I love you. My heart aches for your smiling face, and to hear your voice and laughter... He was spontaneous, creative, adventurous, funny, classy, and beautiful, just to name a few of his qualities,” she reminisces. While this past year has been unbelievably hard to bear, Steve’s angelic touch has been with Donna and her angels all the way. Donna continues to honor Steve by providing the best cleaning services possible with her team each and everyday. “Even though I have a broken heart, you will live on through me,” she says. I will be your voice and promise that I will never let anyone forget you...I keep going to make him proud.” Donna InsoliaFerrante was born into a mixed Italian and FrenchCanadian family up in New Hampshire, who were notoriously known for being hard workers. Her family’s dedication to
18 MAY 2022
their Italian restaurant of over 70 years helped teach her to have a strong work ethic in whatever she does. When Donna moved to Florida in 1991, she started cleaning houses as a side job. During this time, the inspiring entrepreneur was cleaning for an elderly woman on hospice, of whom she became close friends with. Donna soon gifted the older woman a beautiful crystal angel, and her friend then referred to her as her “Cleaning Angel.” And that’s how “Donna’s Cleaning Angels” got its wings! Donna married “the love of her life,” Steve, in 1997, and his great business skills helped her employ 22 angels over time in the company. In addition, Steve lovingly started several other businesses for his wife, including Madam Butterfly Boutique and The Ten Dollar Store. The couple were active in many endeavors, including working at various flea markets and festivals throughout the state. As entrepreneurs with big hearts, Steve and Donna have trained their employees at Donna’s Cleaning Angels to work with the same positive attitude and dedication that they have shown. And as a result of the team’s hard work over the years, the angels have won the trust of their customers for doing “the job right the first time,” both openly and honestly. In fact, some of Donna’s clients have been using her for over 20 years! Diane Morris of Odessa was particularly
“A Magical Love Story Forever.” Donna & Steve are married on December 27th, 1997 pleased by the angels’ work, and wrote, “The girls work in teams, this way they have a lot more energy together. References and insurances provided per request. Her team brings their own supplies,” she said. “Donna herself returns my calls...I’m very pleased with this company, and understand why they’ve remained in business for so many years in this area. I have referred them to many people.” And many other happy clients
agree! “I love the feeling of coming home to a sparkling clean home and Donna’s Cleaning Angels deliver every time!” JoAnne Peters of Palm Harbor rejoiced. As a true businesswoman, Donna enjoys getting to meet her clients while giving them a free consultation for their residences. Whether you need a deep-house cleaning or a regular cleaning, Donna’s angels will provide your home with the versatile
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“When someone you love become a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.” Donna and Steve together in 2020
tools needed to uncover your place’s natural shine. The experienced and welltrained angels perform every job with the finest cleaning products, including high-quality germ-killing chemicals, commercial grade vacuums, and much more. No matter the service or the situation, whether you need a last minute clean before you move out of your house, or a nice clean for your brandnew home before you move in, Donna’s Cleaning Angels are ready to help and do a thorough job. Or as they say, “We are obsessed with the
details of clean!” Altogether, the impressive company serves a total of three counties, including Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. Three decades later, the well-known cleaning service continues to shine brighter and brighter throughout the area, and it’s all a result of the great people who helped make it happen. Steve made such an impact in so many people’s lives that Donna continues to share that same blessing every day with her community by providing the best in cleaning services.
Donna’s Cleaning Angels’ ability to truly care for their clients brings heaven just a little closer to home. And now that one angel has already made it there, Donna honors him with these very words: “Thank you for giving me the most exciting life... Thank you for being my everything in life, Steve. Just know I am so grateful for all
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we had and did. You always told me that we were truly a magical love story and many people knew why that was so true…There will never be another Steve Insolia. Always know that I will love you forever and you are truly my magical love story. What a blessing you were to me...” Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles would like to thank Donna and Steve for all of their support over the years. Dust your homeownership worries away with Donna’s Cleaning Angels today! Call them now at (727) 942-8289. References provided upon request. As Steve would say, they really are “Simply The Best.”
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“Acoma Roofing” story continued from page 1 the brothers, the company prides itself on being recognized for its outstanding customer service and a consistent blemish-free reputation. Acoma Roofing Inc. is a commercial, industrial, and residential roofing installer specializing in roof installation, repair, and maintenance. They are certified installers and providers of all types of new and re-roofs. A GAF Master Elite® Contractor since 2008, requiring proper licensing and adequate insurance, a proven reputation, and commitment to ongoing professional training, Acoma Roofing Inc. is guided by the mission of providing only superior customer service. Experienced estimators will come out to a homeowner’s residence and provide a cost-free, no-obligation roof evaluation. Steve relayed a conversation with a customer that had Santis visiting the property the same day to review the client’s concern. “I want to have a customer service-oriented mentality, the customer is always right, but that is easier to say and ridiculously hard to do. The fact that we’ve done 60,000 jobs and never had a complaint means we’ve done that. I answer the phone when there’s a problem. The only way to get a bad job is to have something wrong and not notify me. If they notify me, it’s going to be fixed.”
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With sixty thousand re-roofed homes since its inception, Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of its longevity in the industry and recognition for going above and beyond for its customers. Should a problem arise, the issue is taken care of with transparency. In 70 years, the company has never had a complaint filed with the licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Whether you seek to know the condition of your roof or have immediate plans to replace it, Acoma Roofing Inc. will give you a roof assessment – an analysis of shingle, tile, metal, and flat roofing roofs. With their excellent quality artistry and proper maintenance, the average lifecycle of a shingle roof is up to 25 years; a tile roof 20-35 years; a metal roof up to 50 years, and a flat roof 10-15 years. Acoma Roofing Inc. can help you reduce your energy costs and keep water and moisture that can cause severe wood rot and
mold. If your Homeowners Association requires roof cleaning, Acoma Roofing Inc. technicians can remove fungus from shingles and tile with safe, effective lowpressure cleaning.
Price should not be the deciding factor when hiring a roofing contractor. Always research your roofing company by reading reviews and checking with the Better Business Bureau and
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Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board. Steve stressed that there are several essential questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor before you make a decision: Do they hire subcontractors? Do they carry workman’s comp with all workers’ names listed? Do they carry liability insurance? Can you get a list of employees working on your roofing job? He also said to ask if the company trucks will have the business name on them to help identify subcontractors. “We don’t use subcontractors,” explained Steve. “Our people are employees, with healthcare and 401(k) plans. They’re covered by workers’ compensation and liability. They’re trained and
certified installers for GAF and other manufacturers. Our trucks are emblazoned with our name, license, and phone number, and our people wear Acoma Roofing uniform shirts. Customers who hire us know they’re not getting subcontractors, and that’s important. Roofing companies who use subcontracted labor are potentially breaking the law and setting up homeowners for liabilities from subcontractors for non-payment to hospital expenses if a worker is hurt on their property.” Steve recommends not waiting until the rainy season to consider a roof replacement. Storms can delay installation. The best time is October through May, the drier season. As
Florida is coming up on another hurricane season, Acoma Roofing does offer emergency service available for damage due to bad storms or hurricanes. Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of its involvement in the community and regularly supports the charity organizations in the neighborhoods they serve. Though eight on Your Side typically covers unscrupulous business practices, in 2017, they covered the feel-good story of Acoma Roofing Inc. and its supplier. Acoma Roofing Inc. and their supplier came to the aid of a family with no roof due to their trust in a dishonest roofer, and the companies replaced their roof without cost. That isn’t the first time
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Acoma Inc. has given away a free roof. They participated in No Roof Left Behind to provide a roof to a lucky winner. Honest business practices, integrity, transparency, and excellent reputation in the industry, coupled with excellent customer service, have helped Acoma Roofing Inc. continue to be a name positively recognized throughout Tampa Bay for over 60 years. “We provide service respectfully and courteously with integrity.” For more information about Acoma Roofing, please visit acomaroofing. com, or for homeowners interested in a free estimate, call 727-7335580.
MAY 2022 21
JACOBSON CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY AT TARPON SPRINGS HIGHSCHOOL
PÂTE À CHOUX DOUGH (CREAM PUFF DOUGH) • ½ cup whole milk • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 1” pieces • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup allpurpose flour • 6 large eggs, room temperature PASTRY CREAM (FILLING) • 2 cups whole milk • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into ½ inch pieces • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or substitute ½ Tablespoon of vanilla extract • 5 large egg yolks • ½ cup granulated sugar • ¼ cup cornstarch • Powdered sugar (for dusting)
PÂTE À CHOUX DOUGH (CREAM PUFF DOUGH) Preheat oven to 425˚. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat milk, butter, granulated sugar, salt, and ½ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium, stirring occasionally to melt butter. As soon as butter is melted, add flour all at once and stir with a wooden spoon, carefully at first to incorporate, then vigorously, until dough forms a single mass. Continue stirring, slapping dough against sides of saucepan with spoon, until dough leaves a thick film on bottom of pan and pulls away from sides, about 3 minutes (the important thing here is to cook the flour and dry out the dough). Transfer to a medium bowl and let rest 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, mix 5 eggs into dough one at a time, making sure to completely incorporate each egg before adding the next. Dough will look broken at first, then homogenized. The final texture should be smooth, glossy, and somewhat stretchy. Spoon dough into prepared pastry bag. Holding bag at an angle so the tip is just touching prepared baking sheet on one side, gently start to squeeze out dough. Without moving
22 MAY 2022
the tip (this will help you make a perfect circle), pipe dough until you have a 1½” round (you can trace circles on the back of the parchment for extra accuracy). Repeat, staggering rounds and spacing 2” apart. Beat remaining egg in a small bowl until no streaks remain and lightly brush tops of dough. Bake 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350˚. Continue to bake until puffs are deep golden brown all over and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 15−20 minutes. Remove Pate choux from oven; turn off oven. Poke a small hole in the bottom of each puff with a paring knife and place, hole side up, on baking sheet. Return to still-hot oven, propping door open with a wooden spoon. Let dry out and cool, 30–35 minutes. PASTRY CREAM & ASSEMBLY Place milk, butter, and salt in medium saucepan, then scrape in vanilla seeds and pod. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until very pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add cornstarch, whisking until no powdery dry spots remain. Whisking constantly, gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture. Transfer back to saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is thick and holds whisk marks, about 2 minutes. Set a fine mesh sieve over a medium bowl. Press pastry cream through sieve into bowl. Cover with plastic, pressing directly onto surface; chill until cold, at least 2 hours. Fit another large pastry bag with a star tip. Transfer chilled pastry cream to bag. Working one at a time, gently pipe pastry cream into puffs to fill. Dust with powdered sugar or dip into melted and cooled chocolate. *Puffs will begin to get soggy as soon as they are filled, so wait until just before serving to add pastry cream. Pastry cream can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to pastry bag and chill.
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MAY 2022 23
