I took French classes from age 3 through 20, and that’s pretty much all I can remember. That and funny fruit names (pamplemousse, heehee). Let the good times roll indeed!
But seriously- Happy Mardi Gras!
Got up at 5 this morning for a windy 4-mile run, then grabbed a quick breakfast of Oikos 0% Greek Yogurt (plain) topped with fresh raspberries, crumbled Kashi Cinnamon Harvest and a drizzle of honey:
Today was primarily plate presentations in pastry class, but we did cook a few things: caramelized peaches, baked off some phyllo, assembled florentinas (almond cookies), and cooked a clear caramel sauce to go with the peach ice cream we made last week. Yesterday we made a few Japonaise meringues (w/ ground hazelnuts), rum-flavored frozen mousse, caramel cages and pastry cream.
All assembled:
Peach Napoleon
Japonaise Meringue topped w/ Rum Mousse and Clear Caramel Sauce
My group member, Megan, put together this Passion Fruit Ice Cream (assembled last week) in a Caramel Cage:
Lovely, no?
As you might guess, though I’m in this class until 2, I’m not usually hungry at ALL afterwards. In fact, it’s really more of an “Oh my god, I’m going to blow caramel chunks all over this DART train…” situation. So please excuse the fact that I don’t have a lunch photo from today. I couldn’t face food again until about 5:30, when Chloe and I split a 100 cal pack of Kettle Korn. The girl likes her some Kettle Korn.
For dinner we met Joy and my parents at Monica’s Aca Y Alla in Deep Ellum. If you’re not aware, Tuesday is half-price entree night at Monica’s (and Wednesday is $0.75 margaritas- but that’s a whole other story).
I had the Mexican Lasagna- chicken, cheese, black beans and corn layered between corn tortillas and topped with tomato coulis:
Off to bed! Tomorrow’s my free day; I have to go to campus to pick up a test, but other than that NO PLANS. Woohoo!
A Few Things Before I Forget:
1. Thank you to Rose for presenting me with what may be the cutest blog award EVER. I’m extremely flattered!
2. For you local peeps: You may or may not have heard about the Bits and Bites engagement that El Centro is putting on this Sunday from 4-7pm. The culinary arts department is trying to raise money for a NEW KITCHEN (which we so desperately need… have I mentioned that we flooded the bakeshop TWICE this week??). For $40 you can try wine and all kinds of goodies from local chefs. And we’re talking great restaurants/vendors here: York Street, Mozzarella Company, III Forks, La Duni, Asian Mint and more. The full list is here. Be sure to check it out! I’m trying to find a time to volunteer, so maybe I’ll see you there…
3. Want more Stephanie Izard? She did a guest post on Kath Eats this afternoon and featured quite a tasty-looking little dish. You can read the post here.
*Survey Time*
Are you giving anything up for Lent this year? And if not- what would be the one food, habit, vice, etc., that would be hardest for you to give up?
I’m thinking of giving up wine (YIKES) and fried food. I really don’t eat that much fried food, until you start counting the BASKETS and BASKETS of tortilla chips we put down at tex-mex restaurants.
I’m going to try the whole give-up-coffee thing again…we’ll see if that takes
BTW- if you read this, C&S, I don’t know if your blog hates me or my phone’s browser. I’ve tried commenting on several posts, but the responses never make it onto the comments page…have I been cut off ??
ooh, fancy caramel cage!!
Are you kidding me? .75 margaritas? Where HAVE I been?
Giving up diet coke would definitely be the hardest, no question. That’s why I would pick something else, hehe.
I wanted to let everyone know that I received my Country Bob’s all purpose sauce this past Sat. (2 bottles, very generous) On Sunday, just poured one bottle over pork short ribs, stuck in the oven for about 2 hours. that was it. they were amazing.
Thanks Country Bob! and Heather for having the give away!!!!
If I observed Lent I would give up candy, which might have the same mood affects for me as quitting smoking would for a smoker. Luckily I live a totally self indulgent life where I give up nothing for nobody….kidding, only kidding. Heather, I strongly suggest that you NOT give up your chardonnay, I am not sure Brian could handle you.
I’m not giving anything up! I’m giving food to a food bank every week instead
For the record I could never give up wine or chocolate. I would die!!
You stole my Lenten sacrifice! I give up fried food every year (for at least 2 weeks) and even said last night that I would be doing so again this year. You thief! Stick to your Chardonnay!
Heather – I’ve been meaning to ask you this and keep forgetting – would you mind sharing your running story on the blog or maybe in an email to me? I’m curious how you got started running, up-ed your mileage for the marathon and what your philosophy is.
Glad you got the award
Totally deserved!
Tammy- yea!! I’m glad you got your sauce- I’ll have to try the short ribs recipe
Brian- Geez, 12 hours without fried foods and look how testy you are. You know who would not mind sharing their Lenten sacrifice? Jesus.
Rose- YES! I love that idea. I will get on the story ASAP and try to have something on the blog in the next few days…
I’m definitely not giving anything up.
I’m too much of a hedonist!
I love the shit ya’ll make! It’s always so beautiful!
I can’t believe what animals eat. Popcorn?!?!?! So cute!
monica’s is one of my favs!!!!
this year i’m giving up 2 major things..
1. eating out (living in los angeles, i find it almost impossible NOT to eat out b/c of the ‘i dont have time to make dinner’ excuse. but i think i can do it. its gonna be hard.
2. eating rice. i’m filipino, give me a break. we eat rice with EVERYTHING
I am giving up the world’s hardest thing – sweets! I am stupid.
First – I got my Country Bob’s on Saturday as well. I have yet to try it, but plan to do so this weekend. So fun!
Second – I hadn’t thought about giving anything up for lent this year. Obviously, I’m not Catholic. Red wine and coffee would be quite the challenge. I’ve already given up dairy and meat Monday thru Thursday. I think that is a nice start.
Once agian lovely plating. Those desserts look so darn delish!! I imagine you get to sample the finished product. I want that Passion Fruit number – mmmmmmmm!
1. You seem to have so many followers who love to leave you comments…I’m a tad bit (read: super) jealous. What’s your secret?
2. I think I almost fell off the couch after reading the comment about caramel chunks on the DART rail b/c I usually spend all of bread & rolls lamenting about my lack of will power and my stomach ache contributed to over-indulgence
3. You need to link my name with my blog (labellepatisserie.blogspot.com)