Well this week’s post is going to be a tad different. No recipe today, sorry guys.
I thought I’d switch gears by letting you know what’s been going on in my life, since this IS a blog, isn’t it?
This past month has kicked my butt! Not only have I traveled to Spain, moved apartments, worked my two jobs, and ran a half marathon—I am also 4 weeks into culinary school. I pride myself on being busy, but this month has been rough even for me! Needless to say, I am a little sleep deprived at the moment. Which is perhaps why I had a “mini” meltdown when my printer ran out of ink last Wednesday. “Mini,” being the key word. In actuality, I was sobbing on the floor of my apartment and yelling to no one in particular, “Why won’t you print?!?!?” (I’m sure my new neighbors are very excited that I’ve moved in.)
First, Espana! Oh my gosh was it amazing. Spain has been on my bucket list for years now and am stoked I finally got to go. I wanted to get one last trip in before I started school.
I basically ate and drank my way through the country. I started in Barcelona and rented a car (learning how to drive a stick shift in a random trucker parking lot before heading out) to drive to San Sebastian, which is essentially the gastronomic mecca of the country (my version of Heaven).
Along the way, I ran with the bulls in Pamplona (okay maybe I walked… and okay… maybe there weren’t any bulls—but I did use my imagination as I went through the path that the bulls take on the way to the bull fighting arena). I hiked the religious mountain of Montserrat and took a day trip to the South of France (I know, sounds fancy, right?!). The best part was the tapas crawl in San Sebastian though where you can get a snack and a glass of wine for 2 euros.
When I came back, I ran the NYC half marathon in Central Park. I was petrified after eating my weight in Spanish tapas the week before. Turns out, not so bad! Especially when you get to pair it with mimosas after!
And the move… I am officially set up in my new place thanks to some expensive movers, a lot of nails, one sofa doctor, and a very helpful friend (I’m not worthy!). The day started with me declaring to the movers that I needed to get this job done in under 3 hours because I had to get to school. With flabbergasted looks, they agreed they’d try. Upon getting to the new place with all my possessions, they informed me that not only my box spring, but also my couch was not going to fit up the stairwell. (Did they just not want to carry it up my 4th floor walkup?) They did suggest, however, that I hire a sofa doctor. Apparently, this is a thing in New York City. You pay someone an obscene amount of money to take apart the couch outside on the sidewalk and then reassemble it in your apartment. Done and done. I am currently writing this from my new rooftop that is only to be used in case of emergency (my emergency: I couldn’t think straight in an apartment packed to the ceiling with boxes). Oh I do love you Manhattan.
And on to the main event… I have now completed four weeks of culinary school. One month down, 13 to go. I have to admit, week number two I thought I was going to break.
When I served my chef a ratatouille with the bouquet garni (herbs wrapped in cheesecloth that is used for flavoring and supposed to be removed before serving) still in it, I thought he was going to kick me out right then and there!
I’ve learned the difference between a jardinière cut and a macedoine dice. I now know how to ciseler an onion and am struggling with, but am oh so hopeful that I will at some point be able to turn a potato into a cocotte (I apologize for all the culinary jargon—but I’ve got a big test this week and I am ever the multi-tasker). We’ve made stocks and sauces. I’ve had to squeeze organs out of chickens and after I broke the sauce three times, I finally figured out how to make hollandaise from scratch. I will no longer take my brunch eggs benny for granted! (Also, I will be ordering it on the side from now on-the amount of butter in the recipe is absurd!) My assigned homework frequently consists of the chef giving us carrots, potatoes, turnips, and artichokes to take home to practice.
If this seems like a lot to cover in eight classes, its because it is! It goes by so fast. My work and my former educational experience were hard. But this is a different kind of stress. You frequently have two burners going while you’re slicing and dicing in preparation for the next dish. And let me assure you the “Yes Chef, No Chef” you see on Hell’s Kitchen IS actually a thing.
It’s tough. I didn’t anticipate it being this difficult. I am used to leisurely cooking in my kitchen with a glass of wine and some music playing. Well folks, this is not my kitchen. There is no wine. There is no music. And it is QUICK! Precision and speed are key (two things that are rather difficult to do at the same time). But I’m up for the challenge—just hoping that June is not quite as busy for me so that I can practice!
So, this has been my hell week… er… I mean month. And I promise guys, next week I will be back in my kitchen with another recipe for you to try (now which box did I put the pans in??)…
