Winter Restaurant Week 2009

Two of my favorite times are year are mid march and august when Boston holds its semi-annual restaurant week. There are anywhere between probably 70-100 restaurants that participate with a pre-fixe menu. A 2 course lunch is around $15.oo, a 3 course lunch is around $20 and a 3 course dinner is $33. This is a steal!!! Most of these restaurants don't sell one dish regularly for under $30. This year I have a few places on my list. All for lunch, the Marliave, The Melting Pot and Top of the Hub. I have been to the melting pot before but never to the other two so when I go I will be sure to write a review on them! It's a dent on my new year's resolution to try 20 new restaurants. I hope all is well with you fellow foodies and crafters. I haven't done a whole lot of either lately due to the fact that I am getting over a sinus infection so hopefully these reviews will get me going again! Well everyone I will be chatting with you soon!

My first fun day at culinary school

This past wednesday was my first fun day at school. yes, i had to repeat baking because I missed to many classes because my lazy ass is forgetful and cant wake up, but it almost seemed worth it when wednesday we got to decorate cakes. we made buttercream to frost them but i want to do something different. so i decided to bring in some fondant and some of my fun (good quality) food coloring. Fondant is a sugar paste used to decorate cakes. You can cut it into shapes, you can mold it into flowers, you can color it any color. It is pretty cool stuff. To dye your fondant I suggest going out and buying the more pasty food coloring in the little jar not the liquid stuff you buy in the spice aisle. It just makes a mess and runs all over the place and the color never gets as intense as you would like. You just use a toothpick to put a couple drops on your white fondant and knead until color is combined. Add more color if you would like it more vibrant. Seriously, I Had a blast decorating my cake. I left a picture for you guys. I will definitely be in touch soon with more crafty ideas!!!

Chocolate Truffles and more...

After school yesterday I passed my stop on the train and went to Newburyport to meet up with my friend/foodie Breyanne. We first went to an Indian restaurant called Mr. Indian. It was awesome, we had the lunch buffet and I ate lemon rice, chicken makala, green salad and stir fried veggies. It was awesome. We then headed into downtown where we went to a small kitchen/ coffee shop where she had gotten me a gift card. Its called Souffle's and the sign outside has a whisk on it, really i knew this was going to be a good place. When you go in there's a window shelf with a bunch of gadgets in glass jars and across from the door is a cafe counter. As you head toward the back there are larger kitchen items, a million cookie cutters (you know I took advantage of those) and awesome aprons and dish towels. I didn't use all of my gift card so I will definitely be heading back and I will take pictures when I do. After souffles we went to a yarn shop. I believe it was called "A loom with a view" We went in to see if they had knitting classes and it just so happened they just started free beginners classes on Sat morning. We are so hitting that up soon. On the way back to the car we went to Ballotin's. And oh my gosh, you walk into this small blue room where to your right are shelves of gourmet chocolate bars and coffee/tea (including Vosques, you know the bacon chocolate bar!!!! I bought one in Vegas, fell in love and thought I would never have it again!) then in front of you is a cafe counter and to the left, oh you guessed it, the chocolate truffles!! These chocolates are reminiscent of chocolates in a fancy new york chocolate shop or something you see on the food network. They had beautiful designs and unique flavors. The chocolates were $2.10 a piece. I bought a box of four including raspberry, passion fruit, mango and grand marnier. I also got some delicious herbal tea. (decaf of course) I was definitely skeptical of these $2 truffles but when I got home, made myself a cup of tea and had the raspberry truffle, i felt like I had just melted into a chocolate heaven. I ate the 1 inch piece in 5 bites just to get the most out of it. Needless to say, I will be going back. I need to figure out how to do that. I have a couple days off next week so I decided I would try to work with some sugar and chocolate, I will let you know how I do. I will enclose a pic of the remaining two truffles I have ( i couldnt help myself on the other ones) 

Gettin ready for spring.

We all know that fall is my favorite season, but spring is a close 2nd. Over the past few years I have been learning a little bit about gardening and have had a small porch garden to place grow my pickins. But now, I have a yard! I am hoping my landlords (who are super nice) will give me a little piece of real estate to actually grow a real garden. For christmas I got Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver. It's his latest cookbook and it showcases the freshest ingredients that he gets inspiration from in his huge rustic garden. In it are tips and websites of where he got his seeds. I can not wait to get going. I want to grow lettuces, herbs (culantro being one them.), tomatoes, peppers, chili peppers, beans, garlic, oh man the list goes on. I dream of Jamie Oliver's garden of which I am so jealous and hope someday when I am rich and probably retired will be able to have. It's really funny because I am a city girl with a country heart. I love my foofy meals and designer clothes but I also love to sit in my pjs with a plate of mac and cheese and get dirty in the garden when ever possible. The spring can not come soon enough! If you have any tips for me please let me know!

A new year, a new start.

I am declaring that 2009 will be the best fucking year ever, no matter what. I have a few new years resolutions that I definitely hope to fulfill. Here they are: (In no particular order)

1. Blog more (i am sorry I haven't been an avid blogger)

2. Craft more (i loved crafting all my xmas presents and hope to learn more)

3. Learn to sculpt with chocolate and sugar

4. Finish school with a 3.5

5. Not be scared of everything

6. Get a friendship cupcake tattoo

7. Finish my cookbook

8. Listen more

9. Sing more

10. Live for the moment more

11. Eat healthier

12. Work out

13. Meet new people

14. Try atleast 20 new restaurants

15. Be happier

I promise to try and blog more with my up and coming ideas. Ill definitely let  you in on my healthier life style with tips and recipes and some kick ass crafts. I'll talk to you soon!

More food pics and Christmas gifts

I feel like I am neglecting my blog when really I just don't have the time!! So I am sorry if I don't keep up as much as you or I would like but ya know, times are tough lol! So, some updates. School has been tiring. I am in academics right now and I just want to get back to culinary classes!! Next Monday I start Culinary Skills 2. I can not wait to actually be in the kitchen cooking showin my stuff. Work has been oober stressful. Everyone is getting pissed at everyone for not getting things done when in all actuality they aren't getting anything done. I feel terrible for Al, he keeps getting shit for no reason. But on the other hand, I have been the dessert queen lately. All I do all the time is dessert cuz I come in at a time where everyone is finishing up the dinner menu and instead of trying to get me in on that its jut like, do dessert! Which is fine with me if any of you know me, youll know I love to bake and pastry! I'll attach some desserts I have done. Now as for christmas! If you don't already know you will be getting hand made gifts from me. I am not standing in line after an 80 hours week at the mall just to get something that isn't as thoughtful as if I were to make it. I am planning a multitude of craft parties with my fellow foodie crafter breyanne and am crafting it up for the holidays! Woohoo! lol. Well I have to finish dinner. Chili for me and meatloaf for al. I will post some pictures for you. Let me know what you think! xoxo

Sorry it's been so long!!

I have been computer-less for quite some time now. My ac adapter broke and the battery died! But i am back! Sadly to say not with to much to say. Work has been great. I have definitely felt like I've grown and flourished even in the past few weeks. It's really quite crazy! I feel like I care more about what I am doing. Josh, our new chef and Aina, my sous chef really make me feel like my opinion matters and let me in on menu creation and kind of let me do my own thing when it comes to laying stuff out and dessert! I have had my fair at dessert the past few weeks and it's great. I made my first baked alaska for last nights bruins game and it came out great. I want to try different versions with my own homemade icecream and different cakes and such at home. School has been tough, getting up early is beginning to take it's toll. When we move things will get better. I wont have to wake up so early. I just keep telling myself it's only one year!! I can do it! So, back to the good stuff. I am enclosing a few picture of some of the work I have been doing so definitely let me know what you think. I will post more as the days go on! x's and o's everyone!