It's the one evening that I showed up late for class. I even received a text message from Angie while sitting in traffic, "Hello, are you running late for class?" When I entered the room Chef was addressing questions from the class and reiterating the rules for Market Basket
- Use all the ingredients on your tray
- After reviewing the tray contents ask for any additional items you might need to make your dish
- All the dishes must include the provided protein: chicken
- Make at least two dishes
- Make enough of the dishes for Chef to sample and critique as well as for the rest of the class to taste
- Ttwo hours to make the dishes
Each group was asked to pick a number between 1 and 9 and choose a name for the group. Marl and I chose 7. Our group name was Magnificent 7 (I was hoping to channel some of Yul Brynner's cooking ability for Market Basket)
What I learned
- Tray 7 was a hodgepodge of ingredients : bananas, cucumber, shallots, tomatoes, fish sauce, coconut milk, jalapenos, lemongrass, ginger, garlic and lime.
- Marl and asked for shrimp, kaffir lime leaves, dark,brown sugar, dark rum , goat cheese, red Thai chili peppers
- We picked up brussels sprouts and bacon that were not being used by other teams
- Our menu:
- crunchy vegetable salad tossed with a light vinaigrette, resting on brussel sprout petals
- Bruschetta with goat cheese red peppers, bacon, and parsley
- Thai coconut soup featuring chicken and shrimp
- Bananas foster
Observations
- Each team did a great job. I think the dishes looked good and tasted great.
- Chef said each dish needed more salt.
- The bruschetta was well received as was the salad
- Chef debriefed the class after all dishes were critiqued. We've learned a lot and it showed.
- Only two men in the class were present for Market Basket - very noticeable in the group photo taken at the end of class, only one male student is present.
Self reflection
- I survived Market Basket night. I haven't felt this kind of adrenaline rush since I completed my Community Emergency Response Training exam.
- As soon as we walked in the kitchen Marl said, "you're scared.". Was it the shallow breathing that gave me away? In any case, he was right. I was able to take a deep breath and then move forward.
- What's there to be scared of? I keep envisioning a scene from Lupo the Butcher in the class kitchen with me as Lupo. I've been working to improve my knife skills. When Chef said the salad reflected "great knife skills", Lupo's presence became much smaller.
- The bananas foster was a mess in my opinion. Chef suggested using a very hot pan if I make the dessert in the future. When I later asked Chef what he would've done with the banana; he said we would've added it to the soup or made a curry with the banana.
- I left class, went home and slept like a baby.
Questions and Answers
I've received a few questions that I want to share with you.
Q: Is the class over now?
A: No, this is mid-term for the class. The will continue until June.
Q:Is Marl in anyone of the pictures?
A: No , Marl left once the last dish was critiqued
Q: Is Marl in the photo with you and the other female student?
A: No, that's another student. The three of us sit next to each other in row 3 in class. Before you ask, he is married.
Q:Is Chef single?
A: No, he's married. His wife is a chef as well. Did my mother put you up to asking that question?
Tonight: Beef
Be well,
Technicolor girl
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| image created by Ink+ LLC |
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