NO SCHOOL... SO WE LAUGH!

With the global recession grabbing all of us by the neck and with the perennial socio-political and economic chaos that has plagued our third-world country for eons, it is a phenomenon how Filipinos could saunter blissfully through life with smiles on their faces and with little worries (except may be how to get all the chores done before their favorite telenovela starts). According to a study, Filipinos are the second happiest and most optimistic people in Asia. Indeed, in the midst of any situation, we try to look for the lighter, funny side of it. We have the innate ability to stare adversity at the face and make fun of its outfit.
There is no denying that laughter has become an indispensible coping mechanism for most of us (but of course, second only to PRAYERS). Below are some quotes from famous personalities (and some random photos of happy times with friends and family) that emphasize the significance of constant levity in our lives.

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut

At the wedding of my nephew JR with wife, Pia

Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. ~Henry Ward Beecher

The Madagascar Four

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ~e.e. cummings

At our office Christmas party

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~Yiddish Proverb

With my soul-sister Jig

Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. ~Bob Newhart

Subic with co-teachers

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle


Bread Baking Buddies

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. ~Victor Borge

My Pastry Arts Crew


A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip


FCA 55 Family!

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. ~Woody Allen

I made this video a year ago. It generated a lot of positive responses from its viewers on YouTube. So go ahead, watch and LAUGH!

(Perhaps many of you are wondering why aren't there any culinary entries/photos this week... Well, school is off today to make way for the graduation of the diploma students. So there.)

For Those Who Are Still In Doubt... HAH!

I have often been asked if I really do make the cakes and pastries posted on this blog. Well, I cannot lie. Most of the work was done by Chef Ernie. We learn from him and we try as much as we can to hopefully do it on our own. He is a master pastry chef after all, so whatever we do will always pale in comparison with his creations. But of course, we do our share of work. There are still some people though who question our skill... especially mine. There was even one relative who accused me of grabbing pictures from the net and posting them on this blog site as my own. What the f@# ?! Why would I even do that?! Ah, men of little faith. Anyway, the content of this blog will prove once and for all that I actually do my part in my pastry class.

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We had our practical exams last Saturday. I came in quite secure because I knew I was part of JB's (already an experienced baker) group. It turned out that we had to make new groupings because a lot of my classmates were late and we had to start right away. JB was one of those who were still not around. I was paired with Francis, who had risen from the dead after a long period of absence. Needless to say, my mind was in panic mode. The pastry and cake assigned to us were Apple Strudel Filling and Black Forrest... I was ready to meet my Creator.
Thankfully, with the help of Kitty (Chef's assistant), JB (who later came in) and Francis (for his misplaced confidence and cheerful disposition), we were able to pull it off.

I WORK, YOU SEE...

Chopping apples for the apple strudel filling. This is for another group who were doing the most difficult dough to make (really thankful I was not part of their group...hehehe)



Preparing and mixing the cherry, cinnamon and kirsch for cake filling.



Layering the cake with icing after each piece of chocolate sponge cake.


Decorating the cake with icing, chocolate shavings and stemmed cherries.




VOILA!... The finished product!

BLACK FORREST CAKE

Here are some of the sweet treats the other groups made:

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

CHOCOLATE CAKE

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Fundamentals in Culinary Arts Batch 26

FPA 26 with Chef Ernie Babaran

PIPING and BORDERLINES

Piping and Borderlines was the topic of last week's session. Needless to say, our artistic side was put to the test. Piping designs for cakes and plated desserts were demonstrated by Chef Ernie and, of course, we were given the task to make our own designs.

This was Chef Ernie's sample of piping for cake.


This was mine.... needs work... badly!

AND NOW, THE SWEET TREATS...

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

CREME CARAMEL

CHEESE CAKE

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

VANILLA CUPCAKES

COLD and LATE... make that super late!

All I could remember right now is that the lesson was all about COLD DESSERTS. The names of a few of these sweet treats escape me at the moment (ni hindi ko nga maalala pic na ito with Zoilo... somebody needs a haircut...hehehe). Anyway, enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Jecca

CREME BRULEE

I can't remeber this cake... it had strawberries though..



CHOCOLATE MOUSSE



BAKED ALASKA (a pyromaniac's fave)

"PUSHING PASTRIES"

I FORGOT TO POST THE PHOTOS OF THE PASTRIES WE DID LAST WEEK. AS YOU CAN SEE BELOW, IT WAS ALL ABOUT PIES. IT MADE ME THINK ABOUT MY FAVORITE TV SHOW LAST YEAR, "PUSHING DAISIES". I SWEAR YOU WILL LOVE THEM... THE PIES AND THE TV SHOW.

TART TATIN

LEMON MERINGUE TART

FRESH MANGO TART

CHOCOLATE PEAR TART

APPLE PIE