Thursday, June 26, 2008

South American Presentation









Mexican Class Travels To South America For Inspiration


Today's class featured some of the most iconic South American preparations, including:
  • Vatapa
  • Fejoida Completa
  • Empanadas
  • Papas Relleno
  • Carne Asado with Green and Red Chimichurris
  • Escabeche de Pescado

South American foods feature a varied blending of influences, including Spanish, African, Native (especially Incan), and, more recently, Italian, German and Asian.

Common Ingredients include, beef (particularly in Argentina), corn, beans, quinoa, cassava, coconuts, chili peppers, and is the original home to potatoes.





Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Cuisine of Veracruz Mexico









Ensalada Noche Buena

Tilapia Veracruzana
Arroz a la Mexicana

Tiburon Acapulco

Principles of Cooking - Poaching










Moist Heat Cooking - Poaching
The concept of moist heat cooking is simple - cooking food in a moist (wet) environment.
These methods include poaching, simmering, boiling and steaming.
Today's focus was on the two variations of poaching; shallow poaching and submersion poaching.
In submersion poaching the food is completely covered with liquid (between 160 and 180 degrees F)
In shallow poaching the food is placed in just enough flavorful cooking liquid to come up to half way up the sides of the item. With shallow poaching you gain the added benefit of using the poaching liquid (cuisson) to prepare a sauce that can be used to accompany the dish. When shallow poaching you often finish the cooking in the oven after covering the pan with a parchement paper circle (cartouche) as shown above.

Even More Cookies








Another Sweet Day in the Bakeshop
Today's Cookie Menu:
  • coconut macaroons
  • chocolate macaroons
  • diamonds
  • raisin spice bars
  • checkerboard icebox
  • double chocolate macadamia nut
  • "Langues de Chat" cat's tongues
  • tuile basket


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Cookies and Tarts Oh My








Classic American Fruit Tarts
  • Pate Sucre Dough w/
  • Creme Patisserie Vanilla
  • Glazed Fresh Fruit
Assorted Classic American Cookie Tray
  • Sugar Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Peanutbutter Dipped in Chocolate Ganache
  • Oatmeal Raisin
  • Oatmeal Caramel

Tableside Presentation





Into each Chef's life a little tableside work will fall
Some operations feature food that is finished or even fully prepared at the diners table. This results in increased anticipation and curiosity to say nothing of the entertainment factor. Many of us need to overcome our initial fear of "being onstage" and join the culinary stage production.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Garde Manger Platters 6-20-08







The next class of Garde manger students and their platter presentations.
Food has been coated in aspic gelee and arranged with an eye towards balance of colors, shapes and textures.


Thursday, June 19, 2008

Petits Fours





The term petit four can be used for most any small cake or pastry item as long as it is small enough to be eaten in one or two bites.
In French:
"petit" = small
"four" = oven
Most, though not all petits fours are baked
Two Categories:
Petits Fours Secs
(dry) includes cookies, baked meringues, macaroons and puff pastry products
Petits Fours Glaces
are iced; eclairs, tartlets, filled meringues and cakes