SALADS and DRESSINGS!

It was an exciting 2nd week for Fundamentals in Culinary Arts batch 55. Primarily because we were able to eat immediately after the class (hehehe). Apart from that, we did a lot of work in the kitchen. This time our chef-instructor was CHEF GERD MENGE.

CHEF GERD MENGE

He gave us a wealth of information during the entire session (again, for those who want to know-- ENROLL!). He is genuinely funny and very animated.

I tensed up though when he suddenly handed me a bottle of sesame seed oil and asked me to pour a thin steady stream into a bowl of egg yolk mixture while he stirred (to make mayonnaise). Then, there were flashes all around. Apparently, some of my classmates started to take pictures (that didn't help my nerves guys.. uugh!). To make things "extra thrilling" for me, Chef Gerd asked me to tell a joke as I poured... I was moments away from passing out.

But then again, I am partly responsible for the Mayonnaise which was the base for almost all of the salad dressings we made. HAH!

MAYONNAISE

Of course I didn't work alone. I had my group mates who were as efficient (but not as nervous) as I was. Ms. Claudine was not around though.

FOCUS ON GROUP THREE

Liezel,Me,Jay,Grace,Dang,Dave

Liezel,Anne,Jay,Grace,Dang,Dave

Jay (new member) and Grace

Me,Grace,Dang,Anne

Dang,Dave

FCA 55's SALADS and DRESSINGS

BLACK PEPPER AND CILANTRO CRUSTED TUNA SALAD

CAESAR SALAD WITH BACON BITS

CHICKEN PINEAPPLE SALAD IN CURRY DRESSING

CUCUMBER SALAD WITH YOGHURT DRESSING

MESCLUN GREENS WITH MANGO, APPLE AND GARLIC FRIED PRAWNS TOSSED IN BALSAMIC DRESSING

SALMON TARTAR WITH HONEY DILL MUSTARD SAUCE

SHRIMP COCKTAIL (in glass)

SHRIMP COCKTAIL (buffet)

THAI BEEF SALAD

WARM POTATO SALAD IN BACON MUSTARD SAUCE

PICTURE-an at KAINAN NA!

Photo Op with the salad buffet

Hyuri and Ate Agnes

My nephew BJ and Hyuri (his girlfriend)

Liezel,Anne,Dang,Me, Dundee, Jun

PANADERO TURNED KUSINERO... with my classmate Ms. Claudine

I just started with my Culinary Arts Class today (January, 21). Although I miss my classmates from Pastry Arts (FYI: Tracy, Jeca and I had lunch at Gateway just the other day and Pia has been a constant textmate, plus email updates from almost everyone is regular... so basically, we are in touch) , I know that this new class is an opportunity for me to meet more people and gain more friends, apart from my primary goal to be the best all-around chef in the universe (hehehehe).
My elder sister, Agnes, is part of the class this time (so I expect free breakfast every Saturday morning...hihihi). Hyuri, my nephew's girlfriend is a classmate as well. Oh, and so is Ms. Claudine Barretto.

Me and Ms. Claudine

Me, Claudine and Ate Agnes
(halata bang starstruck kami?...)

Well, needless to say, her presence made our class extra special. Not only is she my classmate, she is also my group-mate (sorry, Ate Agnes group 4 ka..hehehe). And, for the entire duration of our course, the other "superstar" is our culinary mentor, Chef Manoj.

CHEF MANOJ

I was a bit scared of him at first because a former classmate told me that he was strict. But he turned out to be really funny, down-to-earth, smart and really sensible.

Chef giving instructions to the class

Chef slicing side by side with Hyuri

Chef teaching Ate Agnes how to use the ruler (bwahahaha!)

We weren't able to cook any dish on our first day because we were taught the different types of vegetable and potato cuts (there are actually 18 different ways to cut a potato... unbelievable). So, I wasn't able to post any finish products here (and I'm not about to post the different types of cuts.... mag-enroll kayo noh!). So I will just be posting some of the pics of my new found friends/classmates.

Grace, Dave, Hyuri and Ate Agnes

Me, Dave, Hyuri and Ate Agnes

Me and Grace


It was a great first day!
Be prepared to see pics of mouth-watering dishes next time!

SINGLE AWARENESS DAY

Yes, it's that discriminatory time of the year that boosts profits for greeting cards, flower shops, restos and motels... Valentine's day. I could rant about how insignificant and overrated this pseudo-holiday but I would just be exposing my non-existent love life.
So, I will just have to adapt the attitude "if you can't beat them, join them.." Here are my best picks about some stuff about LOVE.

BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY FILM

My fave quotes from the film:

Harry Burns: You take someone to the airport, its clearly the beginning of the relationship. That's why I have never taken anyone to the airport at the beginning of a relationship.
Sally Albright: Why?
Harry Burns: Because eventually things move on and you dont take someone to the airport and I never wanted anyone to say to me, How come you never take me to the airport anymore?
Sally Albright: Its amazing. You look like a normal person but actually you are the angel of death.

MOST ROMANTICALLY POIGNANT LINES
FROM A NOVEL
from THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

click this to read novel

"It's clear to me now that I have been moving toward you and you toward me for a long time. Though neither of us was aware of the other before we met, there was a kind of mindless certainty humming blithely along beneath our ignorance that ensured we would come together. Like two solitary birds flying the great prairies by celestial reckoning, all these years and lifetimes we have been moving toward one another."

FAVORITE LOVE SONG

"LIKE A STAR"
Corrine Bailey Rae
click this to download song
click this to watch video on YOUTUBE

Wherever you are... you will always be my star...

FOOD REVIEW: CAKES AND STEAKS

I have passed by Jay-J's Inasal many times at SM Fairview but I have never really tried eating there. I have always thought that it was primarily a drinking place just like Gerry's Grill and Dencio's (where booze and pulutans abound but the actual dishes are just so-so).

Last Friday evening, I got a call from a friend who told me about a particular dessert, a cake to be exact, that is part of Jay-J Inasal's cake rack. It's called "Heaven and Earth" cake. This intrigued me because I didn't know that Jay-J Inasal had cakes in their menu let alone a cake rack (baka naman lumang ihawan lang yun at ang nakalagay ay manok na may icing...hehehe). And, I have never heard of a cake by that name... parang title ng movie. Hhmm....
So the following day, my friend Randy and I went to that place and, true enough, they really did have a cake rack with a number of cakes on display (single serve chocolate cake, java cake, cheese cake etc.) But of course we went there to have a taste of this intriguing sweet treat...

THE HEAVEN AND EARTH CAKE

A single serving of this delectable cake (at P85), will indeed give you a taste of heaven here on earth...



The cake is really soft and moist with a middle layer of chocolate cream filling. Yum!

We also discovered their Palabok. Priced at P95 per order, it is probably good for two persons because the serving is relatively big. But if you have a huge appetite and/or is a bonafide palabok-monster (just like me), you would probably clear up the entire platter in one sitting (just like what I did... hihihi)

I may appear to look a bit worried here but trust me, it's good. hehehe


It comes with a piece of soft, white puto.

ANOTHER GREAT AFFORDABLE FOOD PLACE IS...

SLICE & DICE STEAKHOUSE

This place is known for their P99 steaks. But if you are feeling generous to yourself, try their other reasonably priced combo dishes.

Steak with baked tahong... big portion of meat and generous serving of baked mussels at only P169. Extra rice please!!!!



Sauteed kang-kong with mushrooms... really good!


Thanks to my officemates (Eryk, Rhea and Jana) for introducing me to this place. Sulit-Sarap! The only negative things I could say about the place though is the limited parking space (the one along E. Rodriguez Ave. QC) and ,upon returning to the office, we noticed that we reeked of steak and smoke long after we left the place.