After several months of discussion and poll-taking, we finally have a NEW blog....Loop de Lewis!!! We are loving Chicago and, both Brad & I are excited to share our new city with all of you, so please visit us at Loop de Lewis
Also, for those of you wondering, Brad is all done with the Bar Exam!!! Thanks for all your thoughts and words of encouragement! It is great to have all the studying done and we are now enjoying what is left of our summer! We also had a great trip to San Diego and I'll be posting pics on our new blog and Brad will put extras up on our Flickr account.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Bar Exam!
The Bar Exam is beginning right now as I'm typing this! Brad will be taking the Bar both, today & tomorrow and I ask you all to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I'm really proud of all his hard work and he is definitely prepared for the test - you wouldn't believe how much information is in his head. I think he is AMAZING, but I'm probably a little biased!
On Thursday, we leave for San Diego, for 4 days of relaxing, hanging out with Matt, Erika, Nate, & Sarah, and eating as much Mexican food as humanly possible!
On Thursday, we leave for San Diego, for 4 days of relaxing, hanging out with Matt, Erika, Nate, & Sarah, and eating as much Mexican food as humanly possible!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Pastry Camp
I have always loved the idea of summer camp! Perhaps this is due to really great childhood experiences at Camp Mennoscah, but to me summer camp means a time of growth and fun!!!! So a few months ago when I found that the French Pastry School of Chicago holds several Pastry Camps during the summer, I was super excited. I have always loved to cook & bake (I'm pretty sure there is a picture of me at about the age of 5, rolling out pie dough) and have even toyed with the idea of going to culinary school. I thought, what could be better then combining the two!!!
So, at the end of June, I attended a week long Pastry Camp at the French Pastry School of Chicago! There were 16 people in my class from ages 16 - 75; we had a couple of chefs, but many were just food enthusiasts like me! I had an amazing time and it was a good chance to meet some really nice people.
Warning: Food pictures below may make you very hungry! Please stop and grab a snack before going any further!!!!
This is what I brought home on the 2nd day of Pastry Camp! We made so much in the first two days!
From L to R: (Madeleine Cookies, Brioche Loaf, Brioche with Streusel, Brioche with Bee Sting topping, French Bread, Financiers)
From L to R: (Madeleine Cookies, Brioche Loaf, Brioche with Streusel, Brioche with Bee Sting topping, French Bread, Financiers)
These are Financiers (a yummy bit of goodness with huge raspberries placed in the centers!) and were a crowd pleaser!
They are named Financiers because they were created in the financial district in Paris!
They are named Financiers because they were created in the financial district in Paris!
Brioche Loaf - Before this bread is baked it is really thick, once baked it becomes very light & fluffy because of our good friend, butter!!!
These are little tins filled with Brioche & topped with Streusel
Brioche with Bee Sting Topping
Classic French Souffles
Macarons with raspberry jam filling
This may not look like a Macaron to many of you and that is because many people in the United States call Coconut Rochers, Macarons. However, this is considered a Macaron! This was one of my favorite things we made. They are traditionally dyed to reflect the coloring of the filling, which can be up to one's imagination! For instance, green with pistachio butter cream or brown for a chocolate or coffee flavored filling. Our instructor said that Macarons are going to become very popular in the next few years: she said they are the new cupcake!
This may not look like a Macaron to many of you and that is because many people in the United States call Coconut Rochers, Macarons. However, this is considered a Macaron! This was one of my favorite things we made. They are traditionally dyed to reflect the coloring of the filling, which can be up to one's imagination! For instance, green with pistachio butter cream or brown for a chocolate or coffee flavored filling. Our instructor said that Macarons are going to become very popular in the next few years: she said they are the new cupcake!
Our Instructor, Chef Laura, with some super fancy Macarons. They were dusted with ruby colored powder!
Lemon Tart with Meringue Delights
Cappuccino Creme Brulee with Hazelnut Pistachio Biscotti
Lemon Tart with Meringue Delights
Cappuccino Creme Brulee with Hazelnut Pistachio Biscotti
Chocolate Lover's Obsession
Warm Bittersweet Chocolate Cake topped with Coffee Ice Cream
Pretty Packages (L to R) of Passion - Apricot Pate de Fruit (one of my favorites!!), Royaltine (sort of like a no-bake cookie with Hazelnut & Chocolate), Caramels with Salted Butter, & Biscotti
Warm Bittersweet Chocolate Cake topped with Coffee Ice Cream
Pretty Packages (L to R) of Passion - Apricot Pate de Fruit (one of my favorites!!), Royaltine (sort of like a no-bake cookie with Hazelnut & Chocolate), Caramels with Salted Butter, & Biscotti
The whole class listening to our instructor during a demonstration. Don't you all think our hats were great!?!
My warm, fun pastry partner, Deb!
My warm, fun pastry partner, Deb!
At the end of the week, I realized that I wasn't really interested in going to full-on Culinary School, but that I would love to take more 1-week long classes! Special thanks to John, Andrea, Jack & Brad for sampling all of my pastry camp creations!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Just 6 More Days!!!
Just 6 More Days.........
...........until Brad is done with the Bar Exam
(will the studying ever end?????),
...........until we leave for San Diego,
...........for you to vote on my new blog name!!!
...........until Brad is done with the Bar Exam
(will the studying ever end?????),
...........until we leave for San Diego,
...........for you to vote on my new blog name!!!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Which Name???
OK - I promise this is the last time we will be voting on a name (unless I get more good name suggestions)! I have a new survey for you all to take. Kevin gave me some new ideas that I really love, so we'll take the winner from the old poll and put them against my favorites from Kevin's suggestions. Here are the choices:
In the Loop (winner from the last poll)
3-1-2 Contact (Our Area code)
Loop de Lewis
Outside the Loop (We don't actually live in the Loop!)
Please vote away!!!!!!
In the Loop (winner from the last poll)
3-1-2 Contact (Our Area code)
Loop de Lewis
Outside the Loop (We don't actually live in the Loop!)
Please vote away!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Survey
Please take a second and vote for your favorite name for the blog! I am ready for a new name & if you have any other suggestions, let me know!
Coming Soon: A week of Pastry Camp! Yes it is as good as it sounds - Yummy!
Coming Soon: A week of Pastry Camp! Yes it is as good as it sounds - Yummy!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
New Name!?!
Now that we are living in a new city, I feel that it is time to come up with a different name for my blog! I would love to hear your suggestions. Here are a few I've already been given:
* Deep Dish
* In the Loop
* Illy con Queso
Any others?
* Deep Dish
* In the Loop
* Illy con Queso
Any others?
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