Week 5 @ George Brown

Week 5 @ George Brown passed and I am still enjoying it as much as the first day.. actually, even more.. This week was very challenging, we didn't get it right the first time.. and no one could tell what happen with our non-rising dough, luckily after trying for a second time and leaving the classroom almost 40 mins after, we did get our perfect soft rolls dough.

Calaveritas!

By this time of the year you can find in all Mexican bakeries, hot from the oven, the very traditional "bread of the dead". Right now, the smell of my kitchen reminds me of that time of year when this celebration is just a few steps away and everyone back home is preparing for it.

I don't know if it's because I am so far from My sweet Mexico, but I have really come to appreciate it's vast culture and ancestral traditions. That is why, this year, I want to celebrate it the traditional way. I've already put together an altar honoring the dead which includes the basics: Tissue paper that represents Wind, Fruits that represent Earth, Glasses of Water to relief the souls from thirst, knowing they have been traveling so much to come back on Nov 1st and 2nd to join the living world, and Fire, which comes from the candles lightened for each of the souls remembered and forgotten as well as to light their way back from the grave. We also use incense to guide them through the smell. I know this all sounds a little crazy but it is a fantastic celebration to honour our departed and in a way, it also makes fun of Death in order to help us remember not to be afraid of it and to enjoy life as much as we can, so that when death comes, you can leave this world with no regrets. People also have fun that day writing "calaveritas" a poem written to make fun of friends and family with funny stories that pretend to tell the way they died, always focusing on their flaws as part of why "Catrina" (Lady Death) chose them.

This is the second time I made bread of the dead, which is a sweet laborious bread that is eaten by everyone in Mexico. This bread represents the bones of the dead and is at it's best with hot chocolate, atole or just milk!..

I'll keep you posted as I cook my way through my day of the death menu, inspired by 2 of the most amazing cook books I've ever owned "My Sweet Mexico" and "The Essential Cuisines of Mexico". I am very excited to cook (some for the first time and others for the second time) all these familiar flavours that I haven't had for a long time.

Week 4 @ George Brown

Week Four is here and we made some delicious and creamy treats.. Creme Caramel & Bavarian Cream. I've had bad experiences with Caramel, but today I overcame my fears and baked the most amazing creme caramels I've ever tasted!! I have a bunch of treats on my fridge.. will probably take some to work so that others can enjoy them too!.. I have to share my George Brown homework with my friends so I can control myself from eating like a maniac!.. 

Pipping 101

Pipping 101 last week at George Brown was kind of a challenge! I thought it was going to be super easy but .. oh .. surprise, in fact it's quite challenging. Being able to apply enough pressure at the same time that you are quickly moving your hands in the right direction can put you in a little bit of stress.. Anyways, I was able to get a decent cake decoration by the end of the class.. see the pictures below and judge for yourselves...

My Own Bday Treats

A few weeks ago was my Bday, and I thought that it was the perfect excuse to indulge myself.. hahahaha yes, I decided I was going to give myself some pretty awesome little treats as a birthday present! I hope not to be the only one who bakes their own BDAY cake hahahahaha am I?.. Anyways, I was craving a really amazing dessert I found in one of the most beautiful blogs I follow.. Design*Sponge. I always found in there great DIY, design and cooking ideas! So after I saw this recipe from Ming Thompson I really knew I had found the perfect excuse to bake my own Bday cake .. or cupcakes; which I made just so I could take them with me!

I am a nutty person, so any type of recipes that include nuts, I am the first on the line to try! It was fun to make, and very very nice to have as a celebration of my 26th BDAY! Anyways, hope you also find these little pistachios as attractive as I did!..

Click here for the RECIPE

Week 3 @ George Brown!

Yes! Week 3 at George Brown! And we made Bran Muffins..... and Biscuits!!!!!!!!!! :) I am loving my baking arts course even though waking up at 6:00 am every Saturday morning is killing me. But just as soon as I get in the class I am fully awake.

One of the most important things I've learned about making pie pastry and Biscuits is to never over knead the dough because it develops gluten and will make whatever you are doing to have a chewy consistency.. and for these 2 we don't like chewy, we want flaky pastry and really really soft biscuits!! So... you have to barely knead it, just enough to make the mix come together.

Anyways here are my latest George Brown creations!
I am so proud!!