Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Breaking down a chicken

The final exam in butchery class is about breaking down a chicken.  So here's Mike practising his technique.

SPOILER ALERT:  I hope nobody reading this is squeamish, but if you are beware. :)
Dislocating the hips
Boneless leg and thigh
Wings frenched, legs removed
The supreme is about taking that piece off the wing bone and removing the breast.
Removing the wishbone
Supremes and boneless leg quarters

Salads

Okay.  I'm falling behind here.  Last week's creations were salads - Caesar salad (from scratch), Potato salad and Italian salad.  They were yummy and the timing was perfect.  I skipped lunch and Mike came home early with the salads.  I'm really enjoying the homework he brings back!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Dinner out - Mezes Restaurant in Greektown

Last night, we went out for dinner with Lia and Adam (also in Mike's class).  They have to write a restaurant review as a homework assignment.  We went to Mezes in the heart of Greektown. 


The term "Mezes" means appetizers, so we ordered a bunch to share.  Starting with the dips (Tzatziki, Taramosalata (red caviar & potatoes), Homous, and Melitzanosalata (eggplant)) and pita.


And the assorted pites - one Spanakopita (spinach & cheese), one Tirokafteropita (feta cheese, hot peppers & yogurt) and one Pantzaropita (beets, leeks and Skordalia).  The last one with the beets was the best!


My main course was the lamb chops.  They were cooked just right (medium rare).  It was a little bit fatty and probably should have been trimmed a bit.


Mike's quail unfortunately was overcooked.  First, the waiter forgot to place the order for the quail and then there was a mad scramble to get it out.  Yes, the restaurant was very busy last night.


And for dessert it was chocolate baklava.  Unfortunately the chocolate did not come through as it was overwhelmed by the cinnamon & nutmeg.


Overall, the food was pretty good.  The service could have been better.  I would go back again.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Willy Wonka's Lollipop

Every year my niece and nephew's school has a Fun Fair.  They also have a cake raffle.  The students and parents are encourage to bake and decorate cakes which then get raffled off.  This year, the school musical show was Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  See video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBXkupIccF0

Thus, keeping with the theme, we made Willy Wonka's Lollipop.  The kids had great fun decorating it.  The challenge was to keep the icing on the cake and not on their hands!



Dragon Boat Racing - Milton

The Shortbread cookies were a hit.  The team loved them.  Yesterday was quite a foodie day.  There was a food truck at the festival selling pizzas made in a wood fired oven.  Yes, a real wood oven they brought to the festival!  I had roasted red pepper and goat cheese pizza.  It was the perfect way to end a great day of racing.  Thanks guys!


Check out their facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AVellas-Wood-Fired-Oven/156831211046418

Friday, May 27, 2011

More Shortbread Cookies

Check out what Mike brought home today!  Fancy cookies.  Two boxes.  YES!




There will be some very happy dragon boat racers tomorrow.  But they aren't coming out until after the racing is done.  And hopefully we'll bring back some hardware!

Consomme Soup

Yesterday was soup day!  My favourite.  Mike made Consomme Soup.  I guess it's quite involved with a lot of steps. It was delicious.



He also made vegetable stock which I added to our dinner tonight.  I made Chicken Stew (or Fricot a la Poulet, I suppose you Acadians call it.) :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Shortbread Cookies

In Mike's baking class he learned all about piping.  And the conclusion was that it's not as easy as you think.  So for homework, Mike decided to bake up some shortbread cookies.  These we're very yummy. I wish you could taste it.  Maybe we'll do some special orders for Christmas. :)




My niece and nephew were visiting yesterday so they helped with decorating the cookies.  I think they got more chocolate on themselves than on the cookies.  We even found chocolate in their hair!


The final result - crescents, rosettes, hearts and lady fingers.


The final result - all dressed up.


Mike's second career


Mike has completed the second week of his program.  Here he is in his Chef outfit!