Cookaholics Bulletin Board

It works! Made Hollandaise for eggs bene this morning. I have a lot of experience with the iSi, so I knew it would be trial and error with this. I have a 1-qt. iSi, and for small amounts of Hollandaise, a 1-pint whip would be preferable. I used two egg yolks, 1/2 lb. butter (I clarified, but not sure whether it's necessary), lemon, S&P. The butter was at 140 degrees when I added it to the whip. Charged with one cartridge and tested...way too thin. Added second cartridge, tested again...also way too thin. So, I sucked it up and added a third cartridge.

I know from experience (and general science) that given how little liquid was in the canister I'd need more cartridges. It was better, but still not right. So, I hypothesized the butter was simply too warm. I let it sit for about an hour, and tested again. It was great! As Andy said, "that's a very nice and light Hollandaise." I think the qt. canister will be great for making larger quantities, but it kind of makes me wish I had the pint as well for small applications. Problem is I just cannot justify buying another iSi.

Lisa, MC has a lot of foam recipes, as does the iSi website. But quite often I just make up recipes. Once you're accustomed to the general principles, it's pretty easy.

Amy

Edited to add: Or, if you have an idea for a foam, just google it. You'd be surprised how often you'll come up with a hit. Not that it's necessarily a recipe you'd want to use, but it can provide a starting point.

I think the top of the quart and pint iSi are the same, so maybe you could just buy the container part? You'd need to verify though Also, that may not be much savings. I have the pint one (only two of us!), and will be trying this out to be sure!

Paul,

I had the same thought, but so far it seems like I'd have to buy an entirely complete pint-sized iSi. If you find out differently, let me know!

Amy

I am so pathetic and so predictable...

Just found a pint-sized iSi on eBay for $45, and bought it. It doesn't have all of the attachments my qt. one does, but I'm hoping they're interchangeable.

Amy

Heh, I am with you on predictability. I added the pint isi to my wishlist this morning along with some aftermarket chargers and am hoping Santa will bring me one. I will check eBay now, but I'd like the attachments.

--Lisa

Amy, that seems like more work than just making hollandaise. I can see doing it for catering, but for personal cooking?

Pour in, do a few cartridges, spray out doesn't seem like a lot of work.....

It's the antithesis of work. Melt butter, crack and separate a couple of eggs, squeeze a lemon, add S&P, charge container with whip-its, shake canister. Squeeze. Work?

Josh, I suspect you skimmed my post and only saw the early part where I spoke of how I needed to experiment on making the recipe work.

Amy

Lisa,

I buy whip-it cartridges; 50 for $30 on amazon. You may not need to buy that many at a time, but they don't go bad. How do the ones you put on your wish list compare on price?

Paul,

Make sure you test it after one cartridge. The pint may only require one charge.

Amy

I think they must be the same ones:
Creamright Ultra-Purewhip 50-Pack N2O Whipped Cream Chargers - $27.01

--Lisa