those are some of the pictures below....
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Today's food
Each day had been a grat day for me. Because we didn't something new every day and that's really cool for me, Also the food are really good and the cookies are good too.
Caramel
You know it's going to be a good day when there's this much butter stacked on the counter!
To make caramel sauce:
Melt:
4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons white sugar
2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
1/3 Cup dark brown sugar
(If you don't have all these sugars, you can just use one form of the brown sugar)
Boil for two minutes.
Add 1/2 Cup cream
Splash of vanilla
Dash of salt
Boil for two minutes.
You may serve immediately or it will last in the refrigerator for a week. It's delicious drizzled on ice cream, eclairs, popcorn, waffles, oh~just about anything!
No-main-course Day: Just Desserts and Appetizers 🍪🍨🥐🥘
Today' s menu was filled of sweet and delight. We made cookies in the morning and appetizers in the evening
1. We had a fest of dessert this morning. There were spritz cookies, coconut cookies, cream puffs with whipped cream, raspberry and caramel sauce to go with ice cream. At first I even thought I was going to have a sugar shock but I did not, instead I even ate so many cookies and cream puffs. I loved the combination of the whipped cream and the cream puff. The combination tasted like the cream puff I often had back in Vietnam, which was once or twice a week since I lived next to a bakery. Also, I just figure out that my nick name (the name that my family use to call me at home) means cream puff (we call cream puff "su su" in Vietnamese, which is also my name). My most favorite dessert was the spritz cookies that we baked. The dessert was a bomb! They were not too sweet but had a taste of butter, definitely an ideal dessert for a party and it was easy to make too! I liked the coconut cookies too, but not with the jelly beans on top and I wished it had more coconut flakes on it. Overall, this morning I was so satisfied with my stomach.
2. The evening I was also satisfied as much as in the morning. We cooked food that I had never heard of or tasted before, and they turned out to be delicious. We had cheese stuffed garlic knot, pretzel strawberry square, bacon and cheese dip, and pasta with cheese ball, cucumber and tomato. I tried everything but the pretzel strawberry square because I could not eat anymore sweet food. My favorite was the cheese stuffed garlic knot. It was the perfect finger food to start a meal with. It smelled good and tasted awesome. I liked the feeling of the rich and melting cheese stick in my mouth whenever I took a bit of the pastry. It was easy to do also, so if I had time in the future, I would definitely make it again for my family. I also liked the pasta and the cheese-bacon dip. The pasta gave my mouth a different, refreshing flavor after I had tasted so many sweet food. I liked the dip both because of the cute, mini, crunchy bread go with the dip and the rich-sweet taste of cheese and bacon in the dip.
At the end of the day, I was so unsure about going to dinner because I was too full and could not eat anything more. Can't wait for the field trip tomorrow!!!
1. We had a fest of dessert this morning. There were spritz cookies, coconut cookies, cream puffs with whipped cream, raspberry and caramel sauce to go with ice cream. At first I even thought I was going to have a sugar shock but I did not, instead I even ate so many cookies and cream puffs. I loved the combination of the whipped cream and the cream puff. The combination tasted like the cream puff I often had back in Vietnam, which was once or twice a week since I lived next to a bakery. Also, I just figure out that my nick name (the name that my family use to call me at home) means cream puff (we call cream puff "su su" in Vietnamese, which is also my name). My most favorite dessert was the spritz cookies that we baked. The dessert was a bomb! They were not too sweet but had a taste of butter, definitely an ideal dessert for a party and it was easy to make too! I liked the coconut cookies too, but not with the jelly beans on top and I wished it had more coconut flakes on it. Overall, this morning I was so satisfied with my stomach.
2. The evening I was also satisfied as much as in the morning. We cooked food that I had never heard of or tasted before, and they turned out to be delicious. We had cheese stuffed garlic knot, pretzel strawberry square, bacon and cheese dip, and pasta with cheese ball, cucumber and tomato. I tried everything but the pretzel strawberry square because I could not eat anymore sweet food. My favorite was the cheese stuffed garlic knot. It was the perfect finger food to start a meal with. It smelled good and tasted awesome. I liked the feeling of the rich and melting cheese stick in my mouth whenever I took a bit of the pastry. It was easy to do also, so if I had time in the future, I would definitely make it again for my family. I also liked the pasta and the cheese-bacon dip. The pasta gave my mouth a different, refreshing flavor after I had tasted so many sweet food. I liked the dip both because of the cute, mini, crunchy bread go with the dip and the rich-sweet taste of cheese and bacon in the dip.
At the end of the day, I was so unsure about going to dinner because I was too full and could not eat anything more. Can't wait for the field trip tomorrow!!!
Creme Brulee
The torch whines
with a slight hiss
blows it's cries
onto the pudding of egg whites
The sugar cries back
Silently the grains melt
into the arms of other
sweet comforters
The hissing stops and the pudding cools
The excited child lifts up her spoon
She b r e a k s the bond between
heat
and
s
w
e
e
t
n
e
s
s
The delicious aroma of the desert arises
Unlike anything she has ever tried
One eye glued shut
the other pEeKiNg
she takes a bite
So good she must take her seat
Inhaling the product
Both eyes now glued SHUT
"That creme brulee was good as ....hugs."
with a slight hiss
blows it's cries
onto the pudding of egg whites
The sugar cries back
Silently the grains melt
into the arms of other
sweet comforters
The hissing stops and the pudding cools
The excited child lifts up her spoon
She b r e a k s the bond between
heat
and
s
w
e
e
t
n
e
s
s
The delicious aroma of the desert arises
Unlike anything she has ever tried
One eye glued shut
the other pEeKiNg
she takes a bite
So good she must take her seat
Inhaling the product
Both eyes now glued SHUT
"That creme brulee was good as ....hugs."
The Noodle
1. Boil the water
2. When the water is boil put the noodle & oil
Leave it until it cooks
3. Cut the tomatoes, basil, red onion, cucumber, and mozzarella.
Do not forget to wash all of them before.
When the noodle is done put it with all of the ingredients and then pour on balsamic vinaigrette.
Thank you
2. When the water is boil put the noodle & oil
Leave it until it cooks
3. Cut the tomatoes, basil, red onion, cucumber, and mozzarella.
Do not forget to wash all of them before.
When the noodle is done put it with all of the ingredients and then pour on balsamic vinaigrette.
Thank you
Week 1
My dearest beloved,
My first week of cooking passed without much error. I am thankful that you have sent me to this culinary academy with Madame Dunston. She is absolutely wonderful. The other girls her are sweet too. Years have passed since last we spoke so here are all of the things you miss whilst traveling in Zimbabwe. I'll admit, my first day was dreadful. In the morning we made delicious sauces and I enjoyed making delectable meatballs. However, I nearly slept through the entire evening and missed the soup part. I only took a minute to rest my gloves during the luncheon and next they were in another corridor watching a film. After enjoying more dishes on Tuesday, we took a trip to Washington, D.C. It was so very exciting but riding in the carriage took a horrible toll on my back. In D.C. we visited the kitchen of Julia Child. The little room was full of neat culinary toys and adorable figurines that added flavour to the very atmosphere. I also saw the dresses of many first ladies, including that of First Lady Martha Washington. We enjoyed egg fritatas, creme brulee's, and a sweet apple dish with icecream. The casseroles were good and reminded me much of grandfather's food when we were little. My favorite class was Friday. We watched an awfully frightening documentary about the food industry and it's horrid and secret antics. The was the animals are treating are so very unnerving. To lighten the mood left from uncovering the countries secrets, we made adorable marzipan sculptures. I made breasts, a vagina, a squid, a sushi platter, a flower, a snadwich, and a brain. If you can not tell, I really enjoyed this part. So far this journey has been amazing and I can not wait to travel again tomorrow to taste more sweets.
Love,
Madame Braxton
My first week of cooking passed without much error. I am thankful that you have sent me to this culinary academy with Madame Dunston. She is absolutely wonderful. The other girls her are sweet too. Years have passed since last we spoke so here are all of the things you miss whilst traveling in Zimbabwe. I'll admit, my first day was dreadful. In the morning we made delicious sauces and I enjoyed making delectable meatballs. However, I nearly slept through the entire evening and missed the soup part. I only took a minute to rest my gloves during the luncheon and next they were in another corridor watching a film. After enjoying more dishes on Tuesday, we took a trip to Washington, D.C. It was so very exciting but riding in the carriage took a horrible toll on my back. In D.C. we visited the kitchen of Julia Child. The little room was full of neat culinary toys and adorable figurines that added flavour to the very atmosphere. I also saw the dresses of many first ladies, including that of First Lady Martha Washington. We enjoyed egg fritatas, creme brulee's, and a sweet apple dish with icecream. The casseroles were good and reminded me much of grandfather's food when we were little. My favorite class was Friday. We watched an awfully frightening documentary about the food industry and it's horrid and secret antics. The was the animals are treating are so very unnerving. To lighten the mood left from uncovering the countries secrets, we made adorable marzipan sculptures. I made breasts, a vagina, a squid, a sushi platter, a flower, a snadwich, and a brain. If you can not tell, I really enjoyed this part. So far this journey has been amazing and I can not wait to travel again tomorrow to taste more sweets.
Love,
Madame Braxton
Oh Man Sugar!!!
Today some made cookies, but I made raspberry sauce. I used sugar, a bag of frozen raspberry, and cornstarch. I boiled the raspberries in water and then added sugar and cornstarch. To add the cornstarch you have to mix it in water and then put it into the bowl of the boiled raspberries.
SWEEEEEEETS
Today was a dream come true for me. I have a sugar addiction so, I couldn't have wished for more, except for meat. The cookies were really fun to make and I have received my first battle scar and am close to becoming an official cook. Cannot wait till appetizers.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Creme Brulee, Last Holiday film, and Farm 🍮🎬 👩🏻🌾🐂🐕🐓
1. In the morning we used torches to burn the sugar on the surface of creme brulee. I should have burned it a bit longer, because mine was a bit chewy, not crunchy. But the custard was so rich and creamy. I was so sorry that I was so full from the breakfast that I could not enjoy the creme brulee fully.
2. The movie "Last Holiday" was amazing. After I watch the movie, I actually feel like going to spend my Spring break in a 5-star hotel, enjoy all the cuisine in the world, and do stuff I have never done. I imagine if 1 have a million dollar now and I will die in 3 weeks, I will probably spending my money in food (eating as much as I can) and traveling to many countries with my family, maybe do some shopping too. The movie was so meaningful and touching.
3. The trip to the farm was the most memorable part of today. I made the most stupid decision in my life, wearing shorts. I was freezing doing the time we were outside, which was most of the time. We did some flower arranging. My flowers were so terrible that I did not even take pictures of them. After that, we played with the animals in the farm. I used to want to live in the countryside and have a farm when I am old, so that I can harvest my own food and cook them. But I made up my mind after I went there today. There is no way I am gonna handle all of the animals and trees growing. I also found weird that there are people who actually adore the farm animals such as cows, chickens, see them as pets and name them. I thought the only purpose people having cattle and chickens is to eat them. Well, lessons learned!
2. The movie "Last Holiday" was amazing. After I watch the movie, I actually feel like going to spend my Spring break in a 5-star hotel, enjoy all the cuisine in the world, and do stuff I have never done. I imagine if 1 have a million dollar now and I will die in 3 weeks, I will probably spending my money in food (eating as much as I can) and traveling to many countries with my family, maybe do some shopping too. The movie was so meaningful and touching.
3. The trip to the farm was the most memorable part of today. I made the most stupid decision in my life, wearing shorts. I was freezing doing the time we were outside, which was most of the time. We did some flower arranging. My flowers were so terrible that I did not even take pictures of them. After that, we played with the animals in the farm. I used to want to live in the countryside and have a farm when I am old, so that I can harvest my own food and cook them. But I made up my mind after I went there today. There is no way I am gonna handle all of the animals and trees growing. I also found weird that there are people who actually adore the farm animals such as cows, chickens, see them as pets and name them. I thought the only purpose people having cattle and chickens is to eat them. Well, lessons learned!
enchanting etiquette
Ginger sugar on my creme brulee this morning started the day right~and since I didn't make it, I can say YUM!
We then headed to Mrs. King's for flower arranging and table settings.
A truly delightful home!
Cosy corners everywhere one looked.
Formal dining room~we got so distracted by chickens! cows! dog! cats! bees! fish! that we never did get to set a formal place setting.
Gorgeous original wood from the 1700s.
Andre.
Sheba~singing to Andre.
A truly lovely afternoon.
Mrs. King's Farm
Today was a blast! We were able to go to Mrs.King's farm and learn about table manners and how to put together flowers for table centers. We were also able to play with all of her lovely animals. She gave us a tour around her house and told us the history.
Art in cooking
Even though cooking is an art we made cute little sculptures of whatever we wanted, and usually these are used on top of cakes but you can eat them as they are.
Creme Brûlée
Today we made Creme Brûlée and i thought it was going to be very hard to make, but it was actually very easy. I made the chocolate one and melting the chocolate took a bit, but that was the hardest part. We learned to cook them you stick the dishes into a bowl of water into he oven so that the eggs cook evenly. Since we didn't have a torch we have to wait till we can eat them.
Yummy
Meatballs
We made made meatballs and boiled pasta on our second day. The meatballs were made with no strict recipe we threw together spices that we knew would be great. So key thing we learned was we could put whatever we wanted in the meatballs and they would taste great.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
kitchen practice
Tonight we gather
round a lamp-lit table
laying out words and hearts,
words and hearts that tell
a particular story about
our lives together and,
how tomorrow morning,
that story continues as it has
every other day this summer:
from dawn through dusk,
putting on our kitchen robes,
stirring awake the pulse of practice.
Isn't it our delightful duty
to do such work, the cooking of life,
of our lives and all life so that both
the difficult and the delightful
become digestible?
Mmmm..delicious....
I'm holding my finger
against my lips and there's
no on around but us now and
I want to tell you a secret that everybody knows:
how the complications of the human heart are unknotted by
kneading bread, frying onions, cleaning sinks;
how our lives unfold into endless offering
and the wide world over cared for by
scrubbing carrots, paying attention,
by saying "yet."
~Chris Lance, Austin Zen Center
This poem describes so well why I love time in the kitchen. Here's to week two!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Broccoli and Mushroom soups
It's a little late but here are the broccoli and mushroom soups' recipes.
Broccoli Soup
Chop a whole bag of broccoli to make it smaller but not too small, just so it cooks quicker. Save a 1/4 of broccoli to put in last. Peel and saute around 4 cloves of garlic in a pot with olive oil until soft. Once done, pour water into the pot until half an inch is left from the top. Bring to boil and add the 3/4 of broccoli you have previously chopped. Cook until broccoli is soft then blend with an in pot blender thing. Take 2 tsp of corn starch and mix with cold water until fully dissolved. Pour mixture into the pot and continue to blend until it has thickened. Once blended add the broccoli that is left and season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Let simmer on low heat until ready to serve.
Mushroom Soup
Break the stems off of a box of mushrooms and scrape a bit of the bark off of the top. Chop all of the shrooms but save two to add last. Saute around 4 cloves of garlic and a whole onion in a pot with olive oil. When onions and garlic are soft fill pot with water until half an inch is left from the top. Bring to boil and add the mushrooms except for the two set aside for later. Cook until mushrooms are soft then blend with an in pot blender thing. Take 2 tsp of corn starch and mix with cold water until fully dissolved. Pour mixture into the pot and continue to blend until it has thickened. Once blended add the extra mushrooms and season with salt, pepper, and chicken seasoning. Let simmer on low heat until ready to serve.
Broccoli Soup
Chop a whole bag of broccoli to make it smaller but not too small, just so it cooks quicker. Save a 1/4 of broccoli to put in last. Peel and saute around 4 cloves of garlic in a pot with olive oil until soft. Once done, pour water into the pot until half an inch is left from the top. Bring to boil and add the 3/4 of broccoli you have previously chopped. Cook until broccoli is soft then blend with an in pot blender thing. Take 2 tsp of corn starch and mix with cold water until fully dissolved. Pour mixture into the pot and continue to blend until it has thickened. Once blended add the broccoli that is left and season with salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Let simmer on low heat until ready to serve.
Mushroom Soup
Break the stems off of a box of mushrooms and scrape a bit of the bark off of the top. Chop all of the shrooms but save two to add last. Saute around 4 cloves of garlic and a whole onion in a pot with olive oil. When onions and garlic are soft fill pot with water until half an inch is left from the top. Bring to boil and add the mushrooms except for the two set aside for later. Cook until mushrooms are soft then blend with an in pot blender thing. Take 2 tsp of corn starch and mix with cold water until fully dissolved. Pour mixture into the pot and continue to blend until it has thickened. Once blended add the extra mushrooms and season with salt, pepper, and chicken seasoning. Let simmer on low heat until ready to serve.
Friday, February 24, 2017
Food Inc and Marzipan
Today is an interesting day.
1. In the morning, we watched "Food Inc" together. Since I live and grow up on a country that its economy based on agriculture so I am not very surprise to see all the process and the ugly truth behind the food we eat nowadays. I personally think that the cruel raising and killing are normal because we live in a world that has 7 billion people, and not many of those are vegetarians. So, in order to fulfill the needs of humans, mass production is an essential thing to have. I have seen chickens living in a more crowded and dirty place than that and I also have seen animals like pig, cow, chicken being killed and cooked freshly, and I pretty like the taste of the meat so no complaining about that ;) Also, I have always doubted the quality of fast food, "how can people trust $1 hamburger, while I buy a small piece of fresh vegetable in Walmart is more than $1?". The only thing that surprised me was the fact the corn appear to be in so many food that I have never thought of. Overall, I enjoy the movie, it reminds me to read the label every time I go shopping in Walmart.
2. In the evening, we learned how to shape the dough of almond marzipan. It so fun and entertaining. It reminds me about the reason why I like art in general. I make a violet rose in a vase, a bunny, a Pegasus in Disney Hercules and a drumstick with fries. I ate "some" dough in the process of making my art pieces, it tastes pretty good. Here are some pictures of my work.
miracle of marzipan
A fun way to recuperate after watching Food, Inc. this morning!
 |
| Perfect centerpieces for our craft tables |
Thanks y'all for a truly fun and memorable week!!!
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