I suppose it's because I've been so caught up in work lately - that whenever I get home from my 8 hour shifts (40 hrs this week) I just want to lay down, or hang out with my friends. I forgot all about updating my blog! Lol. So sorry I forgot about you all! :/
::What you missed while I was away::
In my professional cooking class - which is every Tuesday - we have to bring in recipes that we must prepare within a certain period of time. This week our task was to find 2 soup recipes (one clear and one thick) and 2 appetizer recipes (1 hot and 1 cold). We were given 1 1/2 hour to prepare the soups, then we were given the same amount of time to prepare our appetizers. We had to make 1 quart (or 4 servings) of soup as well as 5-10 servings of each appetizer.
I'm sure you're asking yourself "What is it that Jenna made...I'm dying to know!!!" Well...
Soups:
-Cream of broccoli
-Clear vegetable soup
Appetizers:
-Potato crepes topped with a dollop of mascarpone honey and chopped almonds (served warm on little spoons)
-Chilled cream cheese and pecan balls served in tiny baked filo dough cups
Evaluation process:
After we prepared our soups we had to plate them, and take them to the dining room for evaluation. First our chef took the temperature of all the soups, then he tasted all of them and took notes (which I have yet to see lol) We were each given forms that we have to fill out on taste, knowledge of cooking, presentation, etc. First we had to evaluate our two soups ourselves, and then we had to choose two other people to evaluate. This part of class is very nerve wracking because no one really likes to be criticized (at least I dont lol) - but I think being given constructive criticism on a regular basis is a very good learning experience for us all, and it really does teach us how to take criticism in the real world.
So i evaluated myself very honestly:
my broccoli soup became a little too thick over the period of it's cooking time - so I could've added more stock, or more cream to thin it out prior to plating it and bringing it to the dining room - but the flavor was very good. I did enjoy the texture of the veggies in my vegetable soup - but not so much the flavor like I did in the broccoli.
After we were evaluated and after we evaluated two others - we went to the kitchen, cleaned up, and prepared our two appetizers. Then when we were finished - we took those to the dining room to be evaluated as well. My appetizers turned out to be COMPLETELY different than what I originally anticipated. The whole time I was preparing them - I was running around the kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off, adding a little of this, adding a little of that, not following my recipes at all lol. The reason why I was so frantic was because a lot of the items included in my recipes were not anywhere to be found in the kitchen. So I had to improvise - and I had to do it fast. I was sooo nervous about the evaluation of my appetizers - by the time I brought them to the dining room, I was beat red and sweating up a storm lol.
Turns out - everyone who tried them really enjoyed them - Chef Steve included! Looks like I did a pretty good job improvising hu? I can't believe they turned out as good as they did. I'm very proud of myself :)
Next week we must prepare 2 different types of salad. One being a regular green leafy type salad (dressing included) and one being a composed salad (which is something like a fruit salad or coleslaw). So keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!!
First i have to figure out what salads i'm actually going to prepare lol - if you have any ideas, leave me a comment and let me know!!
let us begin...
[[Today’s music]]
PARAMORE – MISGUIDED GHOSTS
One of my favorite Paramore songs…
[[Today’s restaurant]]
LULU’S BAKERY & CAFÉ – TX
(Video clip on LuLu’s starts at 2:00)
[[Today's kitchen gadget]]
EXPANDING POT HOLDERS
[[Today’s news]]
KELLOGG RECALLS POPULAR BREAKFAST CEREALS BECAUSE OF STRANGE SMELL
"Eating cereal for breakfast just got a little less appealing. The Kellogg Company just announced its third breakfast-related incident in less than a year — the nationwide recall of certain boxes of Corn Pops, Honey Smacks, Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. The reason this time? An unusual smell and taste coming from the boxes' liner can make people sick.
While the company says the potential for serious health problems is low, it's warning consumers not to eat the cereal. Kellogg breakfast items are clearly attracting government attention lately. The FTC stepped in not once but twice this year to slap the company for exaggerating claims that Rice Krispies helps support childrens' immunity. And in February, the FDA smacked Kellogg after finding Listeria at a Georgia plant that makes Eggo Buttermilk waffles.
Kellogg says the current potential problems are with the cereal boxes that have "Better If Used By" Dates between March 26, 2011, and June 22, 2011 and they have the letters "KN" after those dates. Consumers reported "stale, waxy, metallic, and soap-like smells" from the tainted boxes, a Kellogg spokesman told us.
"We apologize to our consumers and our customers and are working diligently to ensure that the affected products are rapidly removed from the marketplace," said David Mackay, president and chief executive officer of Kellogg Company in a statement.
Those with questions or who want a replacement can call the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-801-4163 from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time."
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I live an hour away from Columbus- and make frequent visits…so I will most def. be stopping by the Thurman Café as soon as I possibly can! What kind of Ohioan would I be if I didn’t? Gotta represent the OH-IO J
[[Today's kitchen gadget]]
ROCKING TEAPOT
[[Today’s news]]
TOP CHEFS TALK GULF SEAFOOD STRUGGLES
[[Today’s random]]
DEWS
“DEWS is an upstanding toothbrush that incorporates a weight within its rounded handle base to keep the bristles away from dirty surfaces.
DEWS does away with concerns about whether your toothbrush is resting on an unhygienic surface. This upstanding toothbrush makes use of a weight at the end of its rounded handle to create a centre of gravity at the handle base. When the toothbrush is set down, it will sway momentarily until it reaches a position of balance – much like a tumble doll. DEWS has been designed with ergonomic considerations, and its weight allows for comfortable brushing.”
Want to be recognized for your beautiful, crazy, and all natural curls?
Then sign up to be a featured curly head!
You must provide:
- Your: Name, Location, Occupation
-Tell me why you love being a curly head.
-Fill me in on what makes you a unique curly head.
-Give any tips or secrets you might have about maintaining hair like yours.
-And send 2 photos – so you have a chance to put your curls on display!
(If you would like me to provide a link to your blog, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc. for the rest of my readers to see – then also throw that in there! The more exposure you get the better!)
Jenna is the name blogging about food appears to be my game. Self declared funny gal, and budding chef-to-be. I prepare food for a living at @olivedive . Click the 'About Me' tab to learn more!
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