Desserts

Today after school 

I'll learn to make this pie with my mom and post pictures later!

FOR PIE

• Pastry dough
• 5 large egg yolks
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

FOR MERINGUE

• 5 large egg whites, at room temperature 30 minutes
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup superfine granulated sugar

MAKE PIE SHELL:

• Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 13-inch round, then fit into a 9-inch pie plate (4-cup capacity). Trim edge, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang, then crimp decoratively. Lightly prick shell all over with a fork, then chill 30 minutes.
• Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake until side is set and edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove weights and foil and bake shell until bottom and side are golden, about 20 minutes more. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 350°F.

MAKE FILLING:

• Whisk together yolks in a small bowl.
• Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add water and milk, whisking until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently as mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and gradually whisk about 1 cup milk mixture into yolks, then whisk yolk mixture into remaining milk mixture. Add lemon zest and juice and simmer, whisking constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter until incorporated. Cover surface with wax paper to keep hot.

MAKE MERINGUE:

• Beat whites with cream of tartar and salt using an electric mixer at medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Increase speed to high and add superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until meringue just holds stiff, glossy peaks.

ASSEMBLE AND BAKE PIE:

• Pour hot filling into warm pie shell and gently shake to smooth top. Spread meringue decoratively over hot filling, covering filling completely.
• Immediately bake until meringue is golden-brown, about 15 minutes. Cool completely on a rack, 2 to 3 hours. Cut with a serrated knife dipped in cold water.

  

Valentines Day Weekend

This past Friday, being Valentines day, I made all kinds of baked goods. Over the course of the weekend I made dinner Saturday night and Monday night. I've began to make dinner on my own for my family and friends. It's something I've really picked up on doing casually now and I've come to really enjoy it.

I've gone from attempting to make gourmet food to just making dinner casually and just random different recipes. Over this weekend I've made, lasagna, cookies, homemade salad dressing, a skillet breakfast, and homemade pizza.
I made the cookies from scratch, the dressing, and skillet and the pizza. I had bought noodles for the lasagna, but I plan to learn how to make homemade noodles. My mom and I made the spaghetti sauce from scratch and used that for the pizza as well. With both entrees, we had salads and used our homemade dressing.

Everything homemade always taste better rather than store bought meals. It takes time, but its worth it. Cooking and baking has really become a new thing to do. I have cooked with my parents and my boyfriend. Living in Jackson can be boring with nothing to do, but cooking at home has replaced going out to eat.
I like looking up new recipes and this is the next one I want to try:http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2007/06/grilledhaloumi
http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/10/souffleed-macaroni-and-cheese

Mid- Progress

So Far....

With my progress with being a gourmet chef, I've started to just learn recipes that are more wholesome than gourmet. 

I have yet to cook with Evan, but I've been cooking more with my dad and learning how to cook and season different meats such as preparing steaks, chicken, and a variety of fish. 

As many Americans would know, yesterday was Superbowl Sunday and I cooked a variety of appetizers and the main course alongside with my dad. Our appetizers included teriyaki wings, a polish sauerkraut dip with rye bread, and bean dip. The main course was steaks, twice baked potatos, and salad. 

Cooking the steaks with my dads, I learned the basics( rare, medium, and well done). Overall cooking with my dad is always fun and he's a really great cook. 

To be continued....

Progress so far....

So far in learning to be a gourmet chef, I've learned a few select recipes. I did try to be a vegetarian but, I did not succeed. Over christmas break a few recipes from my Aunt while I was in Florida.

The First Recipe I Learned

Chicken Marbella

The recipe is chicken marinated in a sweet mixture of garlic, peeled and finely puréed, dried oregano, salt and freshly ground pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil, pitted prunes, pitted Spanish green olives capers with a bit of juice, bay leaves, brown sugar, white wine, and fresh Italian parsley finely chopped.

Yesterday, I made the recipe with my dad for my mom. Cooking with my dad gave us a chance to hangout and talk about the fun we had in Florida. My dads always been a really good cook so he showed me a few extra things while cooking with him. The chicken came out really good and this has became a recipe I really like.

Second Recipe I Learned

VeraCruz

This recipe is snapper fish covered in a olive and tomato topping. The recipe includes: Salt and freshly ground pepper, olive oil, large onion, finely slice garlic finely chopped, dry white wine, tomatoes chopped, green olives pitted and chopped capers, drained serrano pepper finely chopped, sugar, and bay leaves. The following is sauteed in a pan then sereved over snapper.

Next Sunday, my dad and I will make this recipe together and hangout.

I plan to learn many more recipes and make dinner for my family.

Week 1

Hi, I'm Colleen Ross... &

Over the next 12 weeks, I am going to learn how to make Gourmet food with Evan Rader.  We would like to be able to accomplish making a full meal. We are going to look up different recipes to make then try them until we find some we like. We plan to ask one of the chef's at our work for help in showing us culinary arts.

Learning how to cook good food will make in impact in my life. Instead of having something easy for dinner such as mac& cheese and ramen noodles, I can make real food for myself and family. Cooking is also a good way to bond with your family.