Here we go again

Another year. What does 2019 has in store for me? To be honest, I don't know. I will however make it a great year. I'm going to try to create more. Just do what I love.

Live. Be hungry. Be inspired.

I'll keep some updates.

Qualified Pastry Chef

I have finally completed my pastry chef course and officially qualified. I really embraced the last hurdles/challenges to completing the course: sugar work and pastillage. Handling hot sugar was not as hard as the perception of making something out of it. I felt so proud putting my showpiece. It turned out to be exactly as my sketch. This showed me the power of intention and conception. This was stressful to put up (there were some issues-my wave stand broke- nothing that couldn't be fixed), but all worth the effort.

I can't believe 1.5 years went by so fast. It's been an enjoyable journey of discovery, meeting new people, making new friends, embracing challenges and trying aka tasting amazing cakes. 

 

 

From humble beginning...

Let's be honest. I never imagined myself following a culinary journey. It came haphazardly, but it is something I truly embraced. I believe that sometimes life has ways to make sure you stumble across your right path. It might not come in ways you'd expect. It may look like 'life is ready to get back at you' and most of the time, it looks like that. I've had many stumbles and painful experiences, but looking back, I'm grateful for them because they were invaluable opportunities for me to grow. I obviously wished at times that things turned out differently for me, I do. However, I've learnt to love where I am now, at this current moment. Simply because in this present moment, all is well. 

I started this blog to prove myself that I can cook. I'm really glad I did it. I needed it at the time and it helped me in ways I can't describe. Even though I lost touch with posting regularly, this is a significant part of my journey. Thank you K Food Blog. 

Steph's Ripples

I have recently started a new blog: Steph's Ripples. This came from a huge need to spread goodness in the world. I really want to share positive messages and be a light to where I can be. I felt the deep sense of making this a reality. So I started this blog and I hope to share my life experiences, struggles and advice on life challenges and how to be you.

Please join me on this journey here: stephripples.blogspot.com.au

Of course, I will try to continue post here as well, because my culinary journey is still going on strong. I have learnt so much in recent months. It's been a massive learning curve. Making cakes, desserts and pastry items are nothing like I ever imagined.

The process of creating new dishes

Where to begin. Honestly, it feels like a blank. Starting to post regularly after a long dry period is slightly tough. Of course, if I really wanted to, I would. However,  I feel like this is not where my focus should be, right now. This should explain my lack of posting. In saying this, though, I am doing really progress with my food journey. As mentioned in my last post, I am enthusiastically pursuing my culinary adventure, especially in the production classes. 

I will try to post at least once per month.This blog has really helped me in so many ways. When I had quiet time, this is where I used to fill the days. I would find myself sorting through endless photos to post. I can still vividly remember when I began this blog, it is when my real journey towards food became alive. I have always been mesmerised and drawn to the creative process behind food: to create dishes that are not only visually appealing, aesthetically soothing, but also taste wonderful, smells delicious and are super nutritious. It is such an intricate process to get the balance of flavours right, as well as the textures. I have slowly become familiar with ingredients combination, what goes well with what, like for example, lamb and rosemary, tomato and basil, apple and cinnamon. Something that I have become increasingly more accustomed to is making use of seasonal ingredients and what I have on hands. Letting the mind works and the creative processes loose.

Lately, I have started to try creating more dishes. I have finally managed to bridge the wide gap between reading a recipe and actually making it. You won't know until you try. I enjoy reading cookbooks, looking for recipes, but I would always end up with a massive collection of recipes, yet to be created. I will additionally watch countless of cooking shows without taking any action whatsoever. I am finally embracing the power of reproducing dishes, adding my own twist, plating up and of course, devouring the amazing food. The key is to getting started and you never know where it might lead you. So TRY, TRY, TRY........

Here are a few dishes that I put up along those lines during the past few weeks.

Steak with cauliflower puree, sauteed spinach and grilled cauliflower florets

Served with carrot soup

Spanakopita - spinach feta pie with lentil and roasted beetroot salad and charred onions

 

Pork fillet with onion puree, sweet potato and charred onions

Pulled pork

Pulled pork burger with coleslaw and oven roasted sweet potato chips

Pulled pork burger with parsnip chips

Pan-fried salmon with pea puree, sauteed spinach and pea and garlic bread

 

Chicken schnitzel with potato mash, braised red cabbage and salad dressed in light honey vinaigrette 

Pan-fried baramundi fillet with carrot fritter and carrot puree

Steamed fish with lemon sauce, sauteed spinach and asparagus

Enjoy the journey.