Disney Culinary Program

I have been accepted into the Disney Culinary Program.

Muffins, again.

     This Tuesday, in baking lab, we made some more muffins. The last time that we made them, we used buttermilk. We were the only group that got to use buttermilk, then. This week we all used buttermilk and instead of blueberries, this time we used dried cranberries in our group. The muffins turned out pretty well! We also used the creaming method, to make sour cream muffins, and chef coached us through the process, using the kitchen aid mixers. It's a lengthy process, and in the end, it is so worth it. What your result is, is a moist, and fluffy muffin that was almost to die for. I don't think anything can compare to the sour cream muffins and I am going to definitely be making some of these at home. Yum-Yum!

     Chef also made a fresh batch of streusel topping, using only sugar, flour and butter. It tasted similar to an unbaked sugar cookie dough.

     Thanks to another group, who did not measure properly, we got to see the results of that. What was left was a sunken/concave of a muffin. They browned up nicely, though they did not have a crown. Those would have been beautiful muffins had they risen properly!
It's definitely interesting to see what can happen, and what result's you achieve with various ingredients in place of. I'm loving it more and more.


Here's our pan of sour cream muffins with streusel topping.

Whew!

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and sickness. I haven't hardly had time to breathe, much less blog! I have learned SO MUCH, already, and I'm hungry for more.

I am having fun with my classmates. The above photo is from our first day actually baking, in bakery lab. Those are country biscuits. Man, were they good! So easy to make, too. Who knew?!?!

This is 2 of my classmates, Joe and Shanna. They are part of my group in baking lab. The photo's include the 4 of us :)

Today, we made blueberry muffins, and chocolate chip muffins (because Troy is allergic to blueberries ;)  )

I hope to have more and more pictures to share here on the ol blog, real soon.

New Year, New Me!

      I finally got the cut I have been wanting. I saw it on Ginnifer Goodwin on Pinterest and I knew I had to have it. Of course my hair isn't as thick as hers is, but it works for me! I'm especially grateful to Jeanine, my beauty lady, for such a great job! She is amazing!

     So, with just 2 day's left until classes begin, I'm a bundle of nerves right now. I'm excited, and anxious all at the same time. I have to get out of my vacation-frame-of-mind and back into my school-days routine. It won't be hard. I'm used to waking up early, yet, somehow when I'm supposed to I don't quite want to. Weird how that happens, isn't it? Since I have been on vacation from school, I don't think that I have slept past 8 o'clock, even once! lol

     I got a new mug/cup thingy from my aunty, for one of my Christmas gifts. It's called Tervis, it's got polka dots and an orange lid, that is meant for hot beverages. I fully intend to put that thing to good use on school day's, with fresh coffee from my Keurig!

Until Next Time...

Exciting news!

 As a culinary management student I am required to complete courses that aren't food related. In my first, second, and now, this semester, I have been completing all of those basic college courses. I'm almost done with all of my pre-req's and can now look forward to getting into the kitchen. On Monday of next week, I have made an appointment with the head Chef and we will be discussing everything it entails. I am beside myself with excitement that I get to go in and speak with Chef, one-on-one. *squeal* Wish me luck! Ü

French Macarons-Chocolate

 Anyone with culinary knowledge knows how difficult making "real" French macarons can be. In fact, they can be downright difficult, to the point of failure. Successful macarons have perfect "feet" and are light & airy. The outer cookie is a bit crunchy, while the inside is chewy. I am in no way a macaron expert, nor am I a baking expert, yet, somehow I managed to make these delightful little morsel's successfully. This is the recipe that I used and my macarons came out perfect.
The first task was to make the almond "meal", or flour. This was the first time I'd ever made it. I had heard that it was also a daunting task. I ground my almonds in my food processor, sifted them, then ground in my blender, sifted again, then ground them in my food processor a last time before my final sifting. I also added my cocoa to the mixture, to be safe. I followed the recipe exactly. My opinion is, this recipe is fool-proof ;)
Here are some photo's as I went along with the recipe. In the next to last, and last, you can see the "feet" that I spoke of. I hope that you'll try making them on your own!

17 Years

Completely off topic to this blog, today is my son's 17th birthday.
I'm a proud mama. Not that typical one that you see with mounds of pic's in a wallet specifically made for showing off pic's, but the kind that is beaming with pride every time that someone compliment's my son's manners. My son...he is polite, he is kind, he is pessimistic, he is caring, he is loving, he is very popular and likable. In fact, you could say that he is Mr. Popular! We cannot go anywhere without him running into at least one person that he know's. He never forget's a face and he has lot's of friends. I love my son and I'm proud to be his Mama. Happy birthday to my only boy, and my baby, Lance! Mama loves you, son.

Welcome to: The End.

 -Sigh-
 It's been a fun filled and fast journey, to say the least. I am enthused with the new friend's that I have made, and not so sad about the loss of one person who I thought was my friend. Emotional? You could say that this semester has been a variable, sorta roller-coaster of emotions, yes. But I am happy to report that this semester is down to it's final day's.
I have learned so much, in such a short time. For example, who knew that I would have made such good grades in math? Math! My weakest subject in all of my years in school. Me? Yes! Me! I have managed to sail through the lessons and maintain an above average grade of a B+ all semester long. (Not to be superstitious or anything but I really hope that me saying this doesn't make me do horribly on my final exam). I'm a tad bit proud of myself, even if nobody else is.
I'm also happy to report that I made an A on my final exam for my English/Reading class. I'm actually done a few week's early with that class. Fine by me! This free's up more time and allow's me to focus on the class that I'm not doing so great in: Psychology.
I would be flat out lying through my teeth (or fingers in this case) if I said that I did not dread-dread-dread the final exam. I have to keep my confidence up and have Faith that I can, and will, pass it with flying color's. I just have to. Period.
So, off I go. There are notes to take and subjects to be read. I can't wait!

-Sigh-

Almond Cupcakes & Recipe

Hello! It's been quite a while since I have blogged. In an attempt to be a better blogger, a wannabe food blogger, I have a recipe to proudly share. :)
On a completely different subject, I want a new camera :)
Last night, after I made an amazing pot of "goulash", I decided to make cupcakes, last minute. With no pre-planning, I went into the kitchen and started rustling up ingredients.
I always have flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and butter. I knew that I wanted a cupcake but I'm out of cocoa! I had no chocolate! What in the world was I thinking?
Then, it hit me, I had some Almond Extract! I began making Almond cupcakes and here's how I did it:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I sifted my flour)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder (I sifted this with my flour)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup whole milk (I substituted with 2% milk)
  
  
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup margarine
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I omitted this and used almond extract instead)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, or as needed (again, I used 2% milk, it came out perfectly)
  • 1 pinch salt

• 3/4 cup salted butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted(I drizzled in some milk while beating the sugar and butter, maybe a tablespoon or two? It is butter-CREAM, after all :D I also added some almond extract, a few drops did the trick. My frosting was light and airy and delicious-o! )
  
  

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line 12 cupcake cups with paper liners. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. (again, I sifted the two together)
  2. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly cream together the sugar and 1/2 cup of margarine until very well blended. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until thoroughly combined, and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, in several additions. Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake cups, filling them about 2/3 full.
  3. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. (My oven cooked them perfectly in exactly 20 min.)
  4. To make caramel, Place the brown sugar, 1/2 cup margarine, corn syrup, and vanilla into a large saucepan over medium heat, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes; remove from heat and allow to cool to warm (not hot) temperature. Add the cream, a little at a time, until the caramel has the consistency of honey. Mix in the pinch of salt, and allow to cool to room temperature.
  5. Beat the salted butter with confectioners' sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy; slowly add and beat in the caramel, a tablespoon at a time, beating until the frosting is smooth.
  
  As you can see, I kind of adapted this recipe and went off on my own with it. It worked out pretty favorable if I do say so myself!
  This isn't the first time I made butter-cream frosting and it certainly won't be the last. It's SO easy. One note I will give: Be extra careful with the amount of almond extract because it will overpower the recipe very quickly if not used in moderation.

New Book, Plug and Chatter

This is not a paid advertisement:     I have been a member of Paperback swap for a few years now. It has allowed me to get book's that I have wanted for A LOT less than retail price. It's fairly simple, in how it operates. You list your unwanted books with them, and if someone wants it, they contact you. Once you mail, and they receive the book, you earn a credit. Then, in turn, you use that credit to "buy" a book from someone else. In a word, it's recycling, of books. There is also a wish list option in which you add book's you desire and when someone posts a book it alerts them that someone is wishing for their book and they contact you automatically. Its awesomeness!
     Yesterday, I received a book that I have been wanting, The Complete Idiot's Guide to - Success As A Chef. Now, I know that it might seem absurd when I am a culinary student, however, I wanted to read it because I feel that it has some valid points. So far, I am enjoying the book :)
     School is going well, and all that it entails. I am still a bit scornful over that lousy D that I made, however, I am doing very well in both of my other classes and maintaining a B average. Does it make up for that lousy D? No, not even close.
Spring Break has sprung and today, after my math class, I will be free from classes until March 19th. I can handle 11 day's of no class, absolutely!

'Til next time...do good thing's!

Week 6

This week, and part of last, I have been very, very sick. Turns out I have a bad sinus infection and ears. Oh joy! I had to miss class last Thursday and again on Monday.
I made an A+ (100%) on my vocab test last week. But, I made a D on the psych test I had been so worried about. I'm not happy at all about that. I studied for that test for over 2 weeks and was popping off answer's in the class during the test review. I have no idea how, or why, I made a D but, I did.
I have another math test on Thursday of this week and I think it'll be a bit tougher as we're going to be giving definition's as well as doing actual math problems. Should be challenging!

Here's to wellness!
Till next time...do good thing's!

Week 5

This marks week 5 of my life as a culinary student. I made an 85 (B) on my math test that I was so worried about last week.
Tomorrow, I have a huge psychology test that I have been anticipating since day 1. My prof. kind of put it off because of a few thing's and I think that only made it worse.
I also have an A in my reading class. Yesterday, my prof. told me that she loves me. Previously she told me that I was an excellent student and that it is hard to keep an A in her class, which I have managed to do. I also have a vocab test in her class tomorrow. :)

Today is math class, and we're learning even more new thing's. I think I'm hanging in there just fine though. :)

Looking forward to Spring Break. We're going to Walt Disney World! Some friend's of our's have decided that they'll be going down at the same time as us. I'm looking forward to that. It's their first time at "the World" and we have lot's to show them! :)

Until next time...do good thing's!

Week 4

Here's a progress report. This is week 4 of classes. I have my first math test, today. I'm nervous.
I have had 2 assignment's in my Reading 2 class. I got a B+ on the first one but, yesterday I got an A= (100%) on the second. I was stoked!
I'm still in lecture's for my Psych. class and we'll be having our first text in about a week. There is so much to remember! We're doing 2 chapter's at a time. I think I can do it, though.

Til next time....do good thing's!

Week 2

Week 2 is over and as I write this, I am preparing to charge into week 3 of classes.
My math is going well. I've only had to have help once or twice. That's an accomplishment, for me! Reading is also going well and as for Psych. class? It's a lot of remembering, which I don't do so well at. I am anxious about my first test, to see how well I actually can.

 Over the weekend, I bought myself a Kindle Fire. Then, the router went wonky because we factory reset it. Now, it doesn't even get picked up. Time to buy a new router, I think! I have 2-3 book's that I am going to purchase on my new Kindle, can't wait! One of which is by a local author, Trina Ward. Check her out!

I have class this morning so off I go.

Till next time...do good thing's!

First week...

Week 1 of college is done. Wow. College. I cannot believe that I am a college student! It's mind blowing, to say the least.
Can I just brag on myself a little tiny bit? I'm proud of me. I never ever thought I would be able to call myself a college student, yet, here I am!
The homework is killing me, it's horrific. I have to find the secret to studying and taking note's all over again.
Math is super duper challenging, to say the least. I'm learning, and am happy to be doing so.

Until next time...do good thing's!

Day 2

Hooray! Day 2 is complete. I have now attended all of my classes. I have to say that my reading class is still my favorite. I like my math teacher, whom I met today, a lot too. I also found out about a program for women that allows you to borrow your text book's! This way you don't have to spend any money out-of-pocket, or otherwise, on your books! I took 2 tests at the career center, and I have to bring in some paper work tomorrow to an appointment and that's all!
I have a few item's that I need to buy for 2 classes then I will be all set.
Until later...do good thing's!

Day 1

 Success! 1 day down, and who know's how many to go!
I met 2 of my instructor's/professor's and I liked my reading class the best. I'm an avid reader, anyway. I'm thinking I can fly through this class relatively easy. She pretty much allows self pace, and said that we could potentially be done in 8 weeks, and wouldn't be required to attend classes after that. My new goal is to be done in 8 weeks!

 My psychology professor is... well, quirky, at best. I don't think I will have a problem with her class. I have my friend to study with, should the need arise. I think I'll do okay. I have one problem though. I have to buy another book. I was given a book by a former student of her class and it's second edition. I need third edition. :(
Such is life. $102 + tax...Oy!
Till next time...do good thing's!

Excited!

I'm getting really, really, excited. Monday morning I begin my first class in my journey as a culinary/college student. I have waited for that day for so, so long. I can't believe it's finally here! I'm having a proud moment here. I'm a college student!