Breakfast/ Lunch

Masterpiece

We had so much fun last night!

The goal was to uniquely flavor our creme brulee, panna cotta and bread puddings and I think Jack and I took it to the next level when we created our masterpiece: pancake pudding. Instead of bread, we made homemade pancakes and used syrup in the custard to make pancake-bread pudding. We also spotted it with chocolate chips.Β  Let me just tell you, it smelled amazing. And, thinking outside of the box, we decided a perfect garnish (that we will do tonight) would be candied bacon. It might sound gross to you but I promise it will be really good….or at least very interesting. Our chef loved the idea! We also made a white chocolate mint creme brulee and a saffron coconut panna cotta. Tonight is the fun night where we get to do our first plate that incorporates our dessert plus garnishes and sauces that we made over the week. Then, the wines class is coming in and pairing our dessert with wine and champagne so we get to taste a little of everything. Fun!

We did, however, get out later than usual last night and I didn’t get home until midnight, which means I probably didn’t fall asleep until 1:00. So….I skipped my workout. I still woke up at around the same time I usually do, which means I technically should have gone to the gym, but I decided to lounge around and be lazy instead.

For breakfast this morning I made a bagel sandwich using 2 egg whites and 1 egg yolk and 1 slice of provolone cheese on one of my Rudi’s bagels. I looooooove egg sandwiches. I had this old (gross, really) sandwich press in college and I would make the best ever melty egg paninis all the time for lunch or breakfast. So, so, so good. I also had a banana and a cup of english breakfast tea.

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For lunch I’m packing tuna salad, which I made with chunk light tuna (one of those packets), a squirt of dijon mustard, a spoonful of nayonaisse and some relish. With it I’m bringing about 20 kashi crackers, a small baggie of baby carrots (sorry not pictured, I thought of these after the fact!) some cornichon pickles and a container of grapes with a yogurt for later.

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Ryan has been in LA for business and just took the red eye back last night! I told him just to pretend he was going to France (we both can’t really sleep on planes)….it was very strange going to sleep last night knowing he was leaving to fly across the country! He’s SO tired!

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  • Heather
    July 11, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    The candied bacon garnish sounds very “Richard” (a la Top Chef)- can’t wait to see pics!

    Loving the snacky lunches… but now I want cornichons πŸ™

  • arielle
    July 11, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    That class sounds so fun. You should try it with waffles too! That would be good. I’m getting hungry.

  • mel
    July 11, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    yumm…everything looks so good! have a great friday Jenna!!

  • Amanda
    July 11, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    Study Abroad

    For those of you who studied abroad are there any specific travel books, websites, tours, etc that you all found to be most helpful and reliable. There are so many books and tours (I would like to travel to different European countries on the weekends) that I don’t know where to start- too confusing! Thanks!

  • love to bake
    July 11, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    Hi Jenna!

    First off, I love your blog!

    Anyway, next year I am going to college and majoring in baking and pastry arts/culinary nutrition. Are the classes you have been taking hard? What is a typical class like? Any info you can give would be a greattttt help! thanks!

  • jenna
    July 11, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    love to bake,

    Will you be attending a culinary school? I think the classes are quite different at culinary school than they are in a normal college. My classes are 5 hours every night–1 hour usually of lecture, then chef demo and about 3.5 hours of production. At the end of my program I get a diploma from the cordon bleu in paris saying that I am a certified pastry chef. All schools are different though and I know some culinary schools offer bachelor’s degrees as well (mine will next year but I already have my BA in english from another college). The CIA in hyde park is a school that offers bachelors degree. I can’t tell you what your classes will be like unfortunately because I really dont know anything about the school you will be going to. If you are going to go to the cordon bleu I can give you ideas based on my experience but others schools I really don’t know! Sorry I couldn’t be more help!

  • Julz
    July 11, 2008 at 1:31 pm

    OMG Arielle that’s BRILLIANT!! Wowww πŸ™‚ So is the pancake idea though! So fluffy and decadent! Jenna, you’re creativity us totally shining through in this class! You’re amazing with those flavors! An its good you got the sleep! Sometimes it’s what we need! Happy Friday!

  • BethT
    July 11, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    Candied bacon = my idea of heaven. There is a line of gourmet chocolate (Vosges) that has all kinds of funky chocolate bars, including one with bacon in it. YUM!

  • Betsy
    July 11, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    pancake bread pudding? that is the most ingenious thing i’ve ever heard of. why isn’t that on every restaurant menu???

  • Little Black Dress
    July 11, 2008 at 2:35 pm

    Jenna, your pudding sounds fabulous! I can’t wait to see more. This class sounds like such fun.
    Also, I just love having foods that I had used to eat during certain periods of my life- it brings back so many memories and can be such a comfort. Although if I ate my most frequented college food, it would be Kraft Mac n Cheese by the boxful in one sitting. Every night, 3 am. Ew.

  • Kristie
    July 11, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    I LOVE the sounds of those desserts. I don’t know how much my personal taste buds would enjoy the candied bacon, mainly because I’m not a fan of bacon at all, but I think it’s such a fun idea! And I would definitely order the white chocolate mint creme brulee at a restaurant.

  • Erin
    July 11, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    Pancake pudding?! You. Are. A. GENIUS.
    How does it feel to be so damn smart?? πŸ˜€

    ~Erin @ “Vegan & the City”

  • SDF
    July 11, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    Yummy-I love panna cotta!! How is it made? Is it absolutely the worst thing for you (nutrition wise?). Your a genius when it comes to your desserts-how long will they last? Send them up to me in Canada-I’ll eat everything you’re making πŸ™‚

  • Pam
    July 11, 2008 at 6:18 pm

    Hi Jenna! I’m a long time reader, first time commenter. I was wondering what you thought of Bikram yoga. Have you ever done it? I recall reading on here that you said it was popular in France? I’d love to hear your opinion on it!

    Thanks!

  • jenna
    July 11, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    SDF,

    Panna cotta is just milk, cream, sugar and gelatin. Gross–I know. But when you flavor it, it becomes really really yummy. Its not the worst thing in the world I can think of. I’m sure you can use skim milk and Chef said you could easily use soy or rice milk instead as well. I’ll try this one tonight and let you know how it goes!

    Pam,

    I love bikram yoga! I used to go about 2-3 times a week in college. I think its really great and totally detoxes your body. I wish I could go now but I don’t even have enough time to sleep!!!! When I get back to a normal schedule after school I will start going again. I got my mom hooked on it as well. I love the feeling afterwards when you are all sweaty….like you are totally “cleansed” or something! Just make sure to drink a TON of water beforehand and eat something about 1.5-2 hours beforehand.

  • Pam
    July 11, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks Jenna!

    One more question – is it a cardio workout? or more of a strength training workout? Do you burn a lot of calories in one class?

    Thanks!

  • Sarah
    July 11, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Amanda,
    I studied abroad in Spain and travelled all throughout Europe. The best travel books I’ve found are The Lonely Planet guide books. They’re really great for the younger traveler because they offer all sorts of discount ideas and cheaper places to stay, including hostels rather than just fancy hotels. It’s really informative but not boring. And there are some great photos!

  • Jack
    July 12, 2008 at 5:55 am

    Yeah, that pancake pudding does sound genius! cough cough.

  • Jack
    July 12, 2008 at 6:03 am

    Actually, i just blame your commenters, you said “we.” Just messin’ around, btw.