Lol how many of you watch the program 'Chopped' ? This was like Chopped! Obviously, much less hectic but shew, could I feel the sweat trickling down my forehead or what!
So there were two tables of ingredients. Table number 1 had the staple ingredients that we were allowed to use which were:
Flour
Sugar
Oil
Icing Sugar
Baking Powder
Bicarbonate of Soda
Cinnamon
Salt
Table number two had the extras we were allowed to use which were:
Vanilla Essence
Eggs
Cream Crackers
Cream
Butter
Yeast
Cocoa Butter
Toasted Almonds
Caramel Sauce
The bigger trick was that we had to use 8 ingredients only. Another trick was that we were allowed to use all ingredients from Table 1, BUT if we used an ingredient from Table 2, we had to scratch out one ingredient from Table 1.
This made the process really tricky as we wanted or needed some extras from Table 2 but then which staple ingredient were we ready to sacrifice from Table 1?
The biggest rule of this 'Mystery Basket Practical' was that we had to have a nectarine somehow, somewhere in the dish.
Oh, did I mention the number of pieces & types of equipment we were limited too?
We only received:
A balloon whisk
A large metal spoon
A large slotted spoon
Two normal size spoons
A large wooden spoon
A pastry brush
& ya that's it? We had to share the equipment with our workstation partner. That wasn't a problem, my partner, Sihle, & I get along very well.
We had two hours to create and present this dish. The silence that crashed on us when the clock started ticking was infuriating. You could just see that everyone is standing, LOST, with absolutely no clue with what they are going to prepare. There were some foul words too breaking the silence now and then haha, but once everyone had decided what to make & the ball was rolling, we were all back to our happy, cheerful selves once again. Not for long tho.
I decided to make a Malva Pudding. The issue was, I had no honey, milk or vinegar available in my Mystery Ingredient basket. I substituted the milk with cream & the honey with caramel sauce. I left out the vinegar completely (Had to pray that it would not flop without the vinegar). So that turned into a Caramel Malva Pudding. As for the nectarines, you know the sauce that you have to create to pour over the Malva Pudding? I added some nectarines into that sauce whilst I was preparing it & in the end, just used a strainer & kinda like 'pureed' the nectarines into the sauce.
So I ended up with a Caramel Malva Pudding soaked in a Creamy Nectarine Sauce.
Overall, I am quite happy with this dish, the taste was AMAZING. The pudding rose well & was soft and moist. The only thing I would do next time is have a more creative plating presentation. I think in all that hype to get done, I was just trying to focus on finishing & didn't focus on presentation that much which is completely wrong off me. By the time I realized that I don't like my plating design, my Chef Lecturer, Chef Julia was ready to mark it. Sucks when this happens but next time I'll focus on presentation more.
Not bad for my first ever Capsicum Style 'Chopped' practical? Haha.
 |
| Caramel Malva Pudding with a Creamy Nectarine Sauce |
 |
| My workstation during the practical. Quite a bit messy. Took a break to take this picture as my arms were DYING due to me having to beat the sugar and egg until it's fluffy with a BALLOON WHISK. Today was the day I really appreciated having access to an electrical mixer at home, which now sits in the cupboard due to the very famous, Kitchen Aid. Technology makes baking so much easier than before hey? |
Until next time, keep your life frosted! <3
No comments:
Post a Comment