The Necessities

To make fabulous desserts, it is essential that the basics are thoroughly understood and that the cook is confident and in complete control. Dessert work, more than any other aspect of cooking, demands precision and close attention to detail for the best results. Flaws and mistakes are more difficult to hide and it is nearly impossible to make an intricate or complex dessert if the basics are faulty in the first place.

The recipes in this chapter form the foundation of the more elaborate and structural desserts that feature in the following chapters. It is not a comprehensive list of all basic recipes, but rather those that are used more than once in this book. Many of the recipes in this chapter stand alone in their own right and can be turned to when you want to serve something very simple with a piece of beautifully ripe fruit, or whatever. By working through these simple preparations, you will have an indispensable resource from which to draw when making more elaborate creations. Take command of these preparations and work with your imagination and skill - and experience the wonderful and enticing world of desserts.