Today was a mess. It seemed like something kept going wrong - one thing after the other. First off, here's what I made:
Now... here's how my morning went...
I got to the kitchen nice and early and felt like I had everything under control, but apparently not. I think if I'd been alone I would have been okay, but working around other people and sharing the same things got me off track (even though I've been sharing this whole time!). My instructor kept semi-criticizing me, which was totally necessary, but I think it made me stressed more than I would've been normally. I had to alter my order of work and do granola instead of scones first, then I had to switch to an oven in the other room, then I melted a spatula onto the sheet tray while I tossed my granola, then I spilled roasting nuts into the bottom of the oven, then I burned stewing apples for my jam... and so by the time I made my overly wet scone batter and had to find a baking sheet when there were none cleaned, I fell apart. An instructor saw me standing by the ovens trying to hold it together and asked if I was okay, and I broke down and had to remove myself from the kitchen. Goodness I don't really know why I got so upset! Today was definitely a good learning experience, as tough as it was emotionally. At least I didn't get any physical damages! Some sleep would really do me some good! Everyone completely understood because everyone here has had a breaking point at some point in the kitchen. It really isn't the end of the world - it just feels like it in the moment. Pat told me to go outside in the garden, where the soft chilly breeze and symphony of bird songs made me feel more relaxed.
Everyone in my kitchen picked up everything I had been doing and helped me clean up my station. They were so sweet!! I had left in the middle of boiling my jam and cutting my scones, and when I got back the scones were just coming out of the oven and my jam was ready to be put into jars! Pam took me into her "office" (the cold room) and talked with me for awhile. I don't really know how long we were in there, but she definitely helped me learn from this. I am such a go-getter and overachiever, which can be a good thing and also a very bad thing. I like to do as much as I can, which can make me turn into a big ball of stress. Also, I am extremely critical of myself without realizing it. As the saying goes, I am my own worst critic. Life goes on, even if I may have had a few bumps today. Those scones will NOT get the best of me. Pam pointed out that today was good for me because now I know what it feels like to reach my breaking point. Now hopefully the next time it happens (because it probably will at some point), I'll know to turn things off and step outside or tell someone I need help.
I didn't really have the energy to take a lot of pictures today, but I did want to show the full Irish breakfast I made! It's so savory and absolutely delicious! I sat with Nan at lunch today and thought she had a great take on her presentation as well! Her plate is the second picture :). Someone made fresh orange juice, so Pam let us have mimosas (orange juice and champagne, or "buck's fizz," as they call it here). I've never really had one before - I thought it was delicious!!
- Gluten free granola: this wasn't too bad, actually! I thought the rice flakes were tough to chew, but the roasted honey flavor, coupled with roasted hazelnuts, gave a great finish to this breakfast staple.
- Sweet scones: I thought I had ruined these by adding too much liquid, but they actually came out quite nice!
- Blackberry, apple, and sweet geranium jam: I really liked this jam! The recipe calls for apple so that the jam has enough pectin to set. I love the tartness of it that has whispers of sweet geranium. It goes great with a scone! :)
Now... here's how my morning went...
I got to the kitchen nice and early and felt like I had everything under control, but apparently not. I think if I'd been alone I would have been okay, but working around other people and sharing the same things got me off track (even though I've been sharing this whole time!). My instructor kept semi-criticizing me, which was totally necessary, but I think it made me stressed more than I would've been normally. I had to alter my order of work and do granola instead of scones first, then I had to switch to an oven in the other room, then I melted a spatula onto the sheet tray while I tossed my granola, then I spilled roasting nuts into the bottom of the oven, then I burned stewing apples for my jam... and so by the time I made my overly wet scone batter and had to find a baking sheet when there were none cleaned, I fell apart. An instructor saw me standing by the ovens trying to hold it together and asked if I was okay, and I broke down and had to remove myself from the kitchen. Goodness I don't really know why I got so upset! Today was definitely a good learning experience, as tough as it was emotionally. At least I didn't get any physical damages! Some sleep would really do me some good! Everyone completely understood because everyone here has had a breaking point at some point in the kitchen. It really isn't the end of the world - it just feels like it in the moment. Pat told me to go outside in the garden, where the soft chilly breeze and symphony of bird songs made me feel more relaxed.
Everyone in my kitchen picked up everything I had been doing and helped me clean up my station. They were so sweet!! I had left in the middle of boiling my jam and cutting my scones, and when I got back the scones were just coming out of the oven and my jam was ready to be put into jars! Pam took me into her "office" (the cold room) and talked with me for awhile. I don't really know how long we were in there, but she definitely helped me learn from this. I am such a go-getter and overachiever, which can be a good thing and also a very bad thing. I like to do as much as I can, which can make me turn into a big ball of stress. Also, I am extremely critical of myself without realizing it. As the saying goes, I am my own worst critic. Life goes on, even if I may have had a few bumps today. Those scones will NOT get the best of me. Pam pointed out that today was good for me because now I know what it feels like to reach my breaking point. Now hopefully the next time it happens (because it probably will at some point), I'll know to turn things off and step outside or tell someone I need help.
I didn't really have the energy to take a lot of pictures today, but I did want to show the full Irish breakfast I made! It's so savory and absolutely delicious! I sat with Nan at lunch today and thought she had a great take on her presentation as well! Her plate is the second picture :). Someone made fresh orange juice, so Pam let us have mimosas (orange juice and champagne, or "buck's fizz," as they call it here). I've never really had one before - I thought it was delicious!!
Here are the main highlights from demo - Rachel showed us how to fillet a monkfish (which look TERRIFYING!!!), and she also made a beautiful plate of profiteroles. We'll be cooking more Indian-influenced fish dishes on Friday too, which should be tasty! :). My favorite dish they made today was a butternut squash, chickpea, kale, and spiced curry soup. YUM!
Nan and I went on a nice bike ride just as the sun was setting, so we got to see a beautiful view of the coast. (We wore bright reflective vests by the way!!). It was such a great way to let the stress of today fade away. Tomorrow we have a wine lecture and fermentation 101. I can't wait!!
Hope you all had a great Tuesday!
Love,
Livvy
Hope you all had a great Tuesday!
Love,
Livvy