I've gotten over my obsession with marshmallows (don't worry, it will be back) and had a successful batch of macarons. Well...successful to the point that the cookies cooked properly. I wasn't completely satisfied with the filling but they were still delightful.
And now, on my free time, I've moved on to truffles! Flavors? Raspberry, orange, coconut. I was going to work on a few other flavors but, alas, Mr. Lazy decided to kick me in the rear once again.
This quarter of culinary school was completed with a 4.0 GPA and some awesome friendships that were strengthened throughout the quarter. Culinary school was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only am I working toward a career I love, but I'm making some of the most awesome friends along the way. (Obviously, my friends from my previous life are awesome too...but there's just something about these guys that's different.)
I'm planning on switching my degree path from an AA in Culinary Arts to an AA in Baking & Pastry. Cara wants to make sweets....create confections. Treats. Candy. Cara's Confections. Perhaps I will start selling again in the near future...err...let me correct myself. I do sell currently...I just don't really seek out buyers at this point (they come to me...like 1 or 2 people...but I still have people seeking me out).
Anyhow, here are some pictures from the past few months.
IN CLASS PROJECTS:
Chocolate Ganache Tart with Italian Meringue:
Lemon Tart with Italian Meringue:
Raspberry Mascarpone Tarts:
Fresh Berry Tart (w/ pastry cream filling):
New York Cheesecake (picture of perfection):
Black Forest Cherry Cake:
Lemon Souffle with Raspberry Sorbet in a Tulipe Cookie Cup:
Mocha Torte (Yes, that is my handy work around the bottom and the center piece of the cake. Actually, the entire icing job is mine except the little squirts along the edge.):
Chocolate Tarts (this was part of the final...along w/ eclairs, which I failed to take a picture of):
HOME PROJECTS:
Roasted vegetable quiche (I learned how to make a perfect pie crust in class...and this one WAS perfectly flaky and delicious.):
Orange Truffles:
Coconut, Orange, Raspberry (from left to right) truffles:
Poached egg over roasted garlic tomato sauce and orzo cooked in chicken bouillon (aka tonight's dinner):
(Slight update: Just so my sister knows, the present she gave me for my birthday was used to make the macarons and is currently in use to make the truffles. THANK YOU, HEATHER!!!! YOU ROCK!!!)
