Unplanned Parenthood

Final Presentation

We had our final presentations today at school.  Final.  As in, school is over (aside from a cleaning day tomorrow).  I'm so sad.  For the most part, I LOVE my schoolmates and we had such a blast over the last 12 weeks.

My final plated presentation changed 3 times.  It was going to be something panacotta-esque yesterday afternoon.  Then, by the time I left school I changed it to an individual-sized honey chocolate cake with orange chocolate ganache and I was going to mold little bees and flowers from marzipan.  Cute, right?  You know what's not cute?  When we have a massive wind storm that blows our power out and renders me completely unable to mold little bees by candlelight.  I sighed heavily and just went to bed.

Of course, that meant that I woke up this morning, left for school at 6:30 a.m. with no clue what I was going to present to the chefs at 8:30 a.m.  (EIGHT-THIRTY)  With a lot of support and help, I put something together.

It is pate-choux filled with pastry cream and dipped in eclair glaze (a fucking CREAM PUFF, if you will).  I had to, uh, spice it up a little.  With some chocolate sauce, raspberry sauce, and orange sauce, I painted the plate.  We boiled and caramelized sugar, then pulled it into a ribbon and wrapped it around a dowel and created a little "curl."  Overall, I feel pretty good about it.

I'm exhausted.

Attack of the Brulee

Just wanted to share photos of the creme brulee I presented on Friday.  It was both beautiful AND delicious, so I would say it was a success.

Master of the Pastry Cream

I aced the fruit tart practical and I think I did the same for today's plated dessert presentation.  I did a vanilla bean creme brulee with raspberries and blueberries, a powdered sugar and raspberry plate garnish and stuck some flowers in there, too.  It was quite pretty, if I do say so myself.  As soon as I get pictures emailed to me, I will post them.

Jack's having a rough day today, I think he's back to working on those one-year molars.  Right now I'm dealing with the fussiness by reminding myself that a) he's only 11 months old, b) it won't last forever and c) NEXT WEEKEND I GET A BREAK.  C is obviously ranking first on the list of What Makes it Easier to Breathe and Count to 10.

It's supposed to be absolutely gorgeous here this weekend, so I foresee some trips to the park, gardening and some good, quality outdoor time.  Maybe I will allow just a little sun on my face.  Not skin-cancer-inducing, just some rosy cheeks.  My nose gets freckled and it makes me feel summery.

Fruit Tart Here I Come

I'm getting ready to head out for school and I'm a little nervous about today's practical.  Please keep your fingers crossed that my pastry cream doesn't curdle, my shell doesn't burn and my fruit looks glossy.

Then I have to create a plated dessert for tomorrow's presentation.  I'm doing a creme brulee, but I think I'll do a coffee flavored and create a molded chocolate coffee bean for the side.  Now I need to two sauces.

And I then I write my paper.  In between giving my sweet boy kisses, of course.

Did I already post this picture?  I can't remember and I'm too lazy to check.

Today I made whipped cream on my front porch

Jack was napping and I needed whipped cream to finish the cake I was making for my mom for Mother's Day and I knew the beaters would wake him up, so I did the only thing I could think of.  I plugged in the mixer, took my bowl of cold whipping cream and my beaters, and stood on my porch with the door mostly closed and whipped the hell out of that cream.

My neighbors are the nicest people in the world and, while I saw a brief look of confusion and then concern pass over their faces, they waved and said hello like there was nothing out of the ordinary.

I had a nice Mother's Day, spent time with Jack and with my mom and with my brother (whose birthday is today, as well), and made my mom the most amazing orange pound cake with chocolate chunks and chocolate ganache.  It was heavenly, if I do say so myself.

To properly wish his uncle a happy birthday, Jack grabbed his Blackberry and put it where all important things go:  the toilet.

Also in the toilet this week:  TV remote, one of my running shoes, one of Jack's shoes, a candle and a tube of lotion.  I think it's time to get one of those clamp things that locks the toilet lid, but I have this horrible vision of getting up in the middle of the night to pee, being unable to unlock the toilet and relieving myself in the bathtub.

Anyways, Mother's Day was great.  I received wonderful cards and gifts and hugs and love from family and friends, I made an amazing cake and now my child is sleeping.

I think I'll take a hot bath.

Peanut Butter Brownies

My mom bought the Martha Stewart Cookie Book the other day and I have to admit, the cookies look delectable.  All of them.  Say what you will about Martha, she has some fantastic recipes (in the bakery we say "formula" instead of "recipe" because we are "fancy" and "professional."  I will likely never be comfortable with that.).  Also, a huge gold star for the book is that there are PICTURES OF EVERY FINISHED PRODUCT.  I like to know what I'm working towards.

ANYWAY, I flipped through the book and found something I could make with stuff I already had.  Any recipe automatically wins 9823482938794 bonus points for including things I already have in my house, and does not require me to strap my very mobile child into a car, drive to the store singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm at the top of my lungs, race around the grocery store simultaneously finding things I need and pulling other (breakable) items out of Jack's hands, re-strapping the darling beast back into his carseat and performing another serenade on the way home.  I'm very particular about what I'm making, is what I'm saying.

Ahem.  Peanut butter brownies.  It wasn't too sweet or heavy, and very easy to eat.  I generally like my brownies a little fudgy, but I thought that the more cakey texture of these was appropriate given the rich peanut butter swirl.  Also, the peanut butter wasn't over sweetened.  The flavors complimented each other (obviously) without overpowering each other, and without being too rich.  Although, it looks like there was about equal parts butter and chocolate.  I'd go back and check the recipe but I'm too lazy.

And then when that was all heated and melty, I threw together the peanut butter swirl mixture.

And...then I forgot to take any more pictures of the pre-baked product because, um, injuries were sustained during the making of these brownies:

I believe there was a swan dive performed off the end of the couch.  I appreciate his early attempts to survive the mosh pit, but it may be a wee bit premature.

After the wound scabbed over and I felt like the Worst Mother in the World, I pulled the brownies out of the oven and was pleasantly surprised.

Look!  It even looks like the picture in the book!

(And I made these, like, a week ago and they're gone now and I'm regretting not saving one in the freezer.  Damn.)