Cooking School - Day Something or Other

It's Thursday. That's what day it is! Almost at the end of week three.

This week we've made:

Consomme: I don't know. Consomme is kind of a pain in the ass for really nothing very spectacular. It's supposed to be a demonstration of the cook's skill - perfectly clear, delicious broth. I have never been a big fan myself. I'd rather have a demonstration of the cook's skill that resulted in something fantastic. But, it's a classic. The chef instructor tasted mine and said, "Nice. That's a nice soup." Given that we're talking about consomme, I'm happy with that.

Quiche: Whatever. It's quiche. Real men don't eat it. You know why it's important to know how to make decent quiche? Because it's how you maximize your food costs. Quiche = leftovers with eggs and pastry. Remember that the next time you want to order quiche.

Baguettes: My baguette was decent, but not great. I've made better ones at home a hundred times before. Mine was a little undercooked, but over browned on the bottom.

Kale and Chorizo Soup: Portuguese Style. This was really nice. Great recipe. Simple method. My group's was a little thin, but tasted wonderful.

Chicken Stock and Veal Stock: This is a french cooking school, so it's all about the stocks. Our stock was decent. Not bad, not great. We will be making a lot of stock - it's the basis for everything.

Chicken Soup: Whatever. It's chicken soup. An extension of the chicken stock. The recipe we used was pretty dull, and meant to highlight knifework, more than anything. Julienned leeks and carrots.

Tomorrow we do quickbreads. Muffins, Scones, and Cornbread.

I'm a little tired today, and a little bit cranky. I get frustrated with my classmates occaisionally. Everyone needs to learn their own way, and everyone needs to make their own mistakes. When we're doing something that I know how to do well already, it makes sense for others in the group to do it. But, if you're going to do it - do it right! So I get anxious and frustrated in my little corner and fight the urge to butt in and dictate how it should be done.

There are a couple of people who are so amazingly spaced out and obnoxious in their idiocy that I am amazed they manage to find their way to school each day. And there are a couple of people who are pretty damn rude to the students who are immigrants. That kind of low level cloying racism, you know? I don't know how to deal with it.

As I said, I am a little tired and cranky today.