So far...

So today we had class #5! I haven't had a chance to blog because I've just been SO busy! And since I've been busy, I keep falling asleep so I don't get to finish all of my goals for the day - blogging included.

Since it is rather late and I still have some other things I need to take care of, I'm just going to post pics and a short description of all the things we have done so far. Unfortunately, there is 1 thing I didn't get to take a picture of - the Banana Cream Tart (which was scrumptious). I put my tool bag next to it in the locker room and sadly, my bag tipped over and squashed the tart... *sigh* I did learn an important lesson from that though - take a picture before you leave class!!!

At the moment, we are learning about tarts and cookies, so most of the things you will see are just that! BTW, everything I tried so far was pretty good. I haven't tried the last 2 yet, but I have to admit that they smell really good! Tomorrow I'm going to dig in.

First up - the Apple Tart! Of course, I kind of messed up the design when I was applying my apricot nappage (or apricot glaze), but it was still pretty good. It is a sugar crust with apple compote (that we made from scratch) and then the apples on top.














Next up is the Tarte Bourdaloue. This one is a poached pear and almond tart. It has almond cream on the bottom. I really like the almond cream!!! We poached the pears using a mix of water and white wine (and all the other necessities of poaching). This is really yummy!















Here we have a fresh fruit tart. Apparently there are many different ways to make a fresh fruit tart. For this one we used a flaky crust with a thin layer of the almond cream, then some creme leggere with the fresh fruits on top. We got to learn some knife skills on this one - learning to do a supreme cut on the oranges. Our chef-instructor told us to make sure there was no white on the oranges (the pith) because that was the difference between a 5 star meal and a 3 star meal. Of course, then I just had to make sure that I got rid of all the pith!















And here we have some gingersnap cookies! We didn't get to take too many home because the rest went to the restaurant L'Ecole for the little "goodie bag" that all the guests receive. I actually think that these taste better a couple days later because they are more chewy in the center.















This is a Pots de Creme Au Chocolat. Okay, so I didn't actually make this one, but I went ahead and ate mine before I remembered to take a picture! Luckily one of my classmates didn't want to eat hers, so I took a picture. This is a baked chocolate custard. To me, it tasted like a cross between a chocolate mousse and chocolate pudding.















This one is a picture of some little fruit tartlettes that we made today. These have apricot with pastry cream underneath. Yes, I ran out of apricots, so mine look a little sparse. Also, my wonderful partner - Brie gave me some of hers since she has no one to share with and I have a ton of people I can feed!!















Finally, here is the Tarte Alsacienne (Alsatian Apple Tart). It is basically flambe (yes, I flambed my own apples, I was quite terrified, but my chef-instructor was by my side to guide me) apples baked in custard. This one really smells GOOD! I can't wait to try this one!!! =)















And so, that is all we have made to date. Hopefully I will be able to update sooner, rather than later! Enjoy and don't let your mouth water too much! =)

A Bien Tot!

Going on Day 2!

Okay, so I didn't get a chance to update on my first day of class yesterday. It was great, though I must say that I feel like I totally have no right being there! I felt like such a klutz and totally awkward in my uniform. I'm hoping that it was just first day jitters and that tomorrow will be much better... Gosh, trying to figure out the complete uniform alone was a disaster (like, how the heck do you tie a neckerchief?) So, for our first class, we took a tour of our classroom and learned about a lot already! We even started our Apple Tart! I can't wait to finish it tomorrow - the apple compote alone was delish! Yes, I got to taste a little bit of it - I needed to check that it was tender. =)

We also got our tool kits. Our Chef Instructor told us to put different colored electrical tape on all our tools, so I spent the night doing that. I think my husband Mike thinks that I went a little overboard with that assignment and commented, "You know you have to wash that right?" I'm hoping that the electrical tape won't come off in the wash... Chef wouldn't ask us to do this if it hasn't been tested already, right? I suppose I'll find out tomorrow.

Anywho, I'd better get to sleep soon so I won't fall asleep in class! Hopefully my apple tart will come out nice enough for a snapshot appearance on my blog!

Tootles!

Orientation!

So yesterday I had my orientation! I'm so excited and nervous about starting class next week. The commute from Jersey was not too bad, however, coming home during rush hour on a Friday is definitely not fun, especially when you are lugging around the huge duffle bag containing the uniforms and text book! I'm actually a little sore today just from carrying that bag. Hopefully when I get everything organized into my backpack, it will be easier to carry.

Okay, on to the good stuff. So, I have been looking all over the internet trying to figure out which text book they use at the FCI. I searched and searched and searched, and did not find any answers. Well, if I had put 2 and 2 together in the first place, I probably would have figured out that they have their own book (binder bound) which they use as the text book! Duh!!!! Any idiot could have probably figured that out... Anyway, it really is quite thick and it seems like this is only for Pastry I! I wonder if the text books for Pastry II and Pastry III will be just as thick... Hmmm... If that's the case, I think I need to make more room on my bookshelf!

As for the uniforms, they are so cool, though I'm not really into the pants too much (small black and white check-ish design). My husband was teasing me saying that I look like a guido (or would that be guida?!). I don't care, the rest of it is pretty cool. I am in love with the chef jacket! And, it has my name on it!!!

Well, we already got our assignment for the first class, so I'd better get cracking on the reading and look at the recipes for the infamous Apple Tart! I hope mine comes out decent! Wish me luck!