- The SPICE test: We got all different types of spices and herbs - chilli, turmeric, saffron, rosemary, dill, oregano, etc... Then we each took turns, BLINDFOLDED, to see if we could identify each spice or herb just from the SMELL alone! Ahem... let's just say it was interesting!
- The NUT TASTE test: Again, we got all different types of nuts - almonds, almond flakes, pistachio, walnut, macadamia, hazelnut, peanuts - all chopped small so we could not identify them by shape. We had various versions of these nuts - raw, roasted, caramelised. Then, blindfolded again, we had to taste each and see if we could identify them correctly.
- The FRUIT TASTE test: We took mango, orange, lemon, kiwi, plums, nectarine, apple, pear, banana, pineapple, canned pineapple, etc. We had all these fruits arranged as RAW RIPE, RAW UNRIPE, POACHED RIPE, POACHED UNRIPE, CARAMELISED RIPE, CARAMELISED UNRIPE, DEHYDRATED RIPE, DEHYDRATED UNRIPE, CONFIT (for lemon and orange). We also had blackberry fruit filling, strawberry fruit filling, strawberry jam, cherry fruit filling. Then we had to see, blindfolded, if we could identify each of these correctly.
It is amazing how much we rely on a COMBINATION of SIGHT, SMELL, TASTE and FEEL to identify something. Just taking away the SIGHT aspect (by blindfolding) makes it really difficult to identify purely by smell (the spices). And (for the fruits and nuts) taking away both the SIGHT aspect and the FEEL aspect (by chopping everything small so cannot feel what it is!!) it was really quite difficult to tell what you were tasting! The raw ripe/unripe fruits were not too difficult... but the cooked versions of the fruits - almost impossible to differentiate between ripe and unripe, and quite difficult to actually identify what we were tasting!
Of course, we also had other, slightly less interesting, subjects but, to be fair, the subjects are actually quite interesting, but after getting used to being on the go the whole time, baking, baking, and baking, it is difficult to sit down and pay attention in a classroom situation!
BUT, we finished all our theory lessons by Thursday, so we asked our Chef teacher if we could do the assessment on Thursday as well, so we could have a free day on Friday! Chef G agreed, on condition that we do TWO tests, instead of the planned ONE test... and we were A-OK with that, so, by Thursday afternoon we had done with the tests too!
Since Friday was free for us, I decided to go in to the academy anyway, to try and make Galettes from Invert Puff Pastry (I've made invert puff before, but never galettes), and also try the double-hydration ciabatta again (since the first attempt failed), and also wanted to try the malt baguette again to see if there was any difference in taste/texture between that and the normal baguette (Nope, no difference discernible to me :-P ).
So, how did the Friday go? Very well indeed for me :-). Check out these pictures and you will see what I mean.
1) Here's the double hydration ciabatta. What can I say? It came out PERFECT - light, fluffy, lots of wonderful air bubbles in the crumb of the bread, and so so so SO tasty! Had it for dinner that night - with my Mum's delicious fish curry. Sigh... could not have asked for a better meal anywhere!
2) And my very first attempt at galettes, made with invert puff pastry (where the BUTTER is on the outside, and the DOUGH is on the inside :-D)! The filling was almond cream, with a chocolate rice layer on top of the almond cream. The galettes rose quite well, though the layers were not as clearly visible as I would have liked. I also forgot to paint the baked galette with sugar syrup the minute it came out of the oven (so it looks nice and glossy). But it sure tasted DARNED good! I HAVE to practice making invert puff at home, though it is NOT going to be easy to do by hand. Sigh...
And this week we have been making tarts (which also includes macaroons). Today was my 2nd attempt at making French macaroons using the Italian meringue method - and it came out SORT of OK. Anyway, here are some pictures of what's been happening so far this week:
1) These are called WEEKEND Chocolate Vanilla / WEEKEND Pistachio Vanilla cookies. We can't figure out WHY it is called "WEEKEND"! We thought the chef was having us on... but, No, that is the name. First you make the basic vanilla mix. Then you take some of that basic mix and add either cocoa, or pistachio to it. Then you half fill a tiny paper cupcake mould with the basic vanilla mix, then top it up to three quarter full with the flavoured mix, and then you bake it! Has a very light cup cake texture, and the flavoured mix kinda swirls through the whole thing - a bit of a marbled effect. We filled the moulds up a wee bit too high, so they kinda fell over the top of the moulds and baked in funny shapes :-p. Have to try it again on Friday!
2) And here we go with the macaron! Ginger flavoured macaron shell, with mango-kalamansi lime ganache as the filling. Tasted really good, but I still don't like macaroons - wayyyyy too sweet for my taste!
3) Coconut balls - very short and sassy name :-). This is basically a small 10gm portion of marzipan (almond paste) - A lightly roasted whole hazelnut gets pushed into the centre of the marzipan and then it is rolled smoothly to form a ball, which is then dipped in egg white, and tossed in desiccated coconut. It then 'rests' overnight, at room temperature, before it gets baked the next day. This is TOTALLY yum!
4) Aboukir. Um, no, I don't know what the name means, but this is, again, a small 10gm portion of marzipan (almond paste) with orange peel and almond powder mixed in - rolled smoothly to form a ball, which is then dipped in egg white, and tossed in chopped almond flakes. Again, it 'rests' overnight, at room temperature, before it gets baked the next day. If you like orange peel (I DO NOT), then you would love this cookie too!
5) Chocolate sable biscuits, filled with banana pate de fruit. It sounds really weird, but it tastes amazingly good. If you are a banana fan, you will LOVE the pate de fruit :-).
Tomorrow is an off day for us (public holiday in Selangor, for Nuzul Quran), but we will be back on Thursday, when we have to do 2 more biscuits, try the WEEKEND cup cakes again, and make 4 different types of tuile. AND I will try and remember to take pictures of my kitchen and update that to my blog too.
So, till next time folks, have a good day, every day!
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