For being so tired, I had quite a fun day at school!!!
I take back everything I said earlier about “not really liking” danishes. THESE danishes are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before! They are much more rustic and european style than what you see in the window of some chain restaurants here in the states. We made cinnamon rolls, maple pecan bear claws, croissants and fruit snails with a lemon and raspberry filling. I gave all of the snails away to my friend (I really don’t like those…they are too sweet), saved the bear claws to make bread pudding in school tomorrow and saved the cinnamon rolls and croissants. I’m going to bring my brother home the cinnamon roll I saved because he loooves that kind of stuff. It’s huge!! As for the croissants…I’m going to try my luck at freezing them. Maybe have them for breakfast on a weekend day for a little something special? I just love croissants and these are pretty small compared to the enormous “american sized” ones.
You will also see some raspberry macaroons in my pictures….no, I did not make those—I wish I did!! One of our classroom chef’s just moved over here from Paris where he worked as a pastry chef and he made those today. I bartered him one of my cinnamon rolls for a couple mini macaroons because if I had to choose one favorite dessert on earth, it would be these. My mom and I used to go to this special pastry shop in Paris and sit and drink espresso and eat mini macaroons. They come in every flavor under the sun and are so tiny and light you don’t really feel “guilty” eating them. All they are in a merengue-almond based cookie with either a raspberry jam filling (such as the ones in the picture) or a buttercream filling (he’s making those tomorrow and already promised me a couple!) I just love, love, LOVE these and ate one of them at school to “test” it and I put the rest of what’s in that little box in my freezer. That WILL be my dessert tonight!!!!
And for lunch today I just reheated the rest of my Roasted Vegetable and Lentil Soup from the other night. It tasted even better today than it did originally. I love that about soups and stews. I had with it a very ripe nectarine and 1/2 of a whole wheat pita that I sandwiched with .5 ounce of gruyere cheese and toasted like a mini quesadilla. It was quite tasty and filling.
This lunch was about 508 calories.
Allison
January 16, 2008 at 6:40 pmI seriously would weigh five million pounds if I took your classes. baked goods? my favorite..and those all look SUPER delicious..although I agree with you on the fruit snails..those would be just a little too much for me!
I tried your ricotta/parmesan recipe the other night..it was great!
Susan Barnes
January 16, 2008 at 6:51 pmWhat brand pita do you use?
p.s. I agree I love macaroons!
jenna
January 16, 2008 at 7:00 pmSusan,
I use touflan (sp?) whole wheat pitas…or I use some brand I found at whole foods called “pita king” whole wheat pitas. I love them warm slathered with creamy hummus or with peanut butter!
Becky
January 16, 2008 at 7:15 pmAllison-I totally agree! There is no way I could make this stuff day after day and not eat it all! I get so hungry just looking at it! Way to go, Jenna, on the self-control!
aimee
January 16, 2008 at 7:38 pmI seriously love seeing the stuff that you cook and eat… it’s so inspiring! And everything always looks so yummy! I think I’m going to make a baked pear tonight for dessert!
Trina
January 16, 2008 at 8:11 pmOMG, your stuff looks SO good day after day…it seriously makes me want to go to culinary school JUST so that I can bring that stuff home!!!
I have another random question for you….I have been hearing a lot of information on how bad hydrogenated oils and trans fat are for you and how you should avoid them, but I can’t seem to find any info on what they actually do to harm you. Do you have some info on this? Is this a recent thing that people have discovered, b/c I have only heard about this lately..??
jenna
January 16, 2008 at 8:33 pmTrina,
These kind of fats ARE horrible for you! In a really really simplified nutshell, they actually raise your “bad” cholesterol levels and lower the good ones and that can cause heart attacks, cancer, the works. Fats that are good for the body include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which do the reverse of trans fats. They raise the good cholesterol and lower the bad ones. So eat your almonds, walnuts and salmon knowing you are doing a good deed to your body!
VeggieGirl
January 16, 2008 at 8:56 pmyou never cease to amaze me with your latest baking creations – so spectacular-looking and well-executed!!
Sara F
January 16, 2008 at 8:59 pmJenna-
I have a random question about hummus. I love the stuff and eat it alot when I am at home. When I’m at school I LOVE getting the hummus plate (veggies, hummus, and whole wheat pitas) from my favorite coffee shop. Anyway, when I’m at home I typically only eat a couple of tablespoons but when I get hummus out I typically eat more like a third of a cup of it because I’m eating it for a meal. Is a larger serving like that okay? …and is there a change that “restaurant hummus” is a whole lot unhealthier than the stuff I pick up at whole foods? Okay enough rambing on about hummus….
ps. ever tried a coconut macaroon? pretty good stuff 🙂
jenna
January 16, 2008 at 10:04 pmVeggieGirl,
Thank you! Too bad you don’t live here–I would happily give you some!
Sara F,
Hummus contains tahini, which like peanut butter, is high in fat but its high in a good kind of fat. Hummus also contains olive oil, another good kind of fat. 2 tbsp is a serving size but I think when you are making hummus the center of your meal you should increase the serving size to 1/4-1/3 cup to fill you up and pack in the protein. I usually have 2 tbsp of hummus with crackers if I’m having a snack or I have 1/4 cup hummus if its the main component of my meal. Some restaurants may put extra tahini in their hummus (that’s why it tastes so good) and therefore it is higher in fat. I really wouldn’t worry though (especially since we already establish you of all people do not need to worry about gaining weight!!! your so skinny!!!!) because it is a good kind of fat. One your body loves. 🙂
Shelley
January 16, 2008 at 10:28 pmomg I love macaroons. I haven’t had those since I was in Paris 4 years ago…sigh…
alex
January 16, 2008 at 10:47 pmHi.
What is your thought about dried fruit? I am in college, a freshman living in a dorm room, and I don’t get the opportunity to eat all the fresh fruit i want, nor the veggies i want. It kind of stinks. But, i love dried fruit. I know they are a lot of calories in a little bit of them, but i feel like i am eating healthy.
for veggys, i eat a lot of soup and stuff. I have been gaining weight, but I feel thats okay because I am 5″6′ and entered college at 110, but now i am like 125 and feel okay about it. I just don’t want to gain any more. I run every day pretty much, and also practice yoga. I just need to cut back on the nighttime snacking.
Sara F
January 16, 2008 at 11:12 pmJenna-
Thanks for the hummus-related advice. I’m not too concerned with the calorie aspect of things, but I’m glad to hear I’m getting healthy fats, not harmful ones. Either way, I don’t think I could stop myself from ordering this tasty meal everyonce in a while. 🙂
ps. I ate the new traderjoe’s greek-style yogurt this morning with a banana for breakfast…it was SOOOOO good, dare I say even better than Fage? Anyone with a trader joe’s in their area definitely ought to give it a try.
jenna
January 16, 2008 at 11:24 pmHi Alex,
I like dried fruit a lot and think its a worthy substitute when you don’t have the fresh stuff. The only thing you really need to be careful of is added sugar, which a lot of dried fruit nowadays has. I would lean more towards dried apricots and apples because those usually don’t have any added sugar. And remember also that just because its dried and small doesn’t mean it has less calories! I like to mix dried fruit with almonds or walnuts for a tasty portable trail mix. As for the collage poundage advice……..I feel your pain. I gained the freshman 15 for sure because of nighttime snacking and (gasp) drinking at fraternity houses til all hours of the night. Not a good idea. I would suggest if you are trying to maintain your weight now (which sounds very healthy by the way) you just need to keep on exercising and be very mindful of nighttime snacking which piles the calories on fast! Keep something like perrier or herbal tea around to sip on when you get the urge to have something in your mouth. Hope that helps!
Anie
January 17, 2008 at 12:24 amI looove the Trader Joes 0% Greek! I think its creamier then Fage. Everyone should definitly give this one a go.
jenna
January 17, 2008 at 12:24 amI want a trader joe’s!!! I’m jealous
Arika
January 17, 2008 at 4:17 pmTrader Joe’s Greek yogurt far out weighs it much pricier competion Fage. I don’t think I would ever buy Fage again, given how delicious and much more affordable TJ’s is! That stinks you don’t have one in your area Jenna! Maybe someday soon, they seem to be popping up everywhere!
Anne
January 21, 2008 at 11:16 pmJenna!
I love the macaroons from Laduree!! I am going to Paris next month for work – we love to go there for lunch – and a plate (and several boxes to go) of macaroons!!!
Anne.