We were back at it in the kitchen! Today was definitely one of my better days :) I didn't feel stressed out too much, which was refreshing. I think I'm starting to get the hang of how to cook with a time pressure. Here's what I made today...
- Brown soda bread - just making it again for practice. My instructor said it was really good! :D
- Chocolate Mousse with Almond Macaroons - so yummy!! I put some Grand Marnier in the mousse and thick jersey cream on top to cut the sweetness. SOOOOO good! Also, you may think that the macaroons were complicated, but they are literally ground almonds, sugar, and egg white. So simple! I could have cooked them a little bit longer, but my instructor still thought everything had a great flavor :)
- Redcurrant Jelly - I got my first 10 out of 10 in grading with this jelly! Woohoo! The process is pretty straightforward: boil redcurrants and sugar for a bit then strain them. Bam. They have a lovely flavor! I want to try growing some at home when I get back :) (hint hint mom and dad? :D)
- Traditional Irish Salad - this was such a colorful salad! I really liked the addition of watercress, the darker colored leaf. The dressing that accompanies this salad is really interesting too: strained egg yolk from a boiled egg, brown sugar, mustard powder, malt vinegar, cream, salt, and diced boiled egg white. Not bad!
The afternoon demonstration was fun today because we got to have shrimp! They have such a lovely orange color! Also, Rory has impeccable presentation skills on the go. I thought I'd include some of the little plates he threw together before we tried everything he made.
After the demonstration, I went to a yoga session down the road with Nan and some other students. I've never done yoga in such a beautiful room - half of it was windows that looked out onto the fields leading up to Ballycotton and the seashore. It was so calming just to close my eyes and follow the instructor through breathing and movement exercises. One of the guys fell asleep and started snoring during shavasana at the end too, which was pretty funny! :D
And now it's time to go to bed. I'm already so exhausted and it's only Monday! D: Tomorrow I'll be making a shepherd's pie from lamb meat roasted today, brown yeasted bread, and glazed carrots. I hope you all have had a wonderful Monday!!!
Until tomorrow and with love,
Livvy
Until tomorrow and with love,
Livvy