Soup is one of those things, easy to make but also easy to screw up. Obviously for anyone truly serious in becoming a Chef, along with stocks and sauces, soups is an essential element. And the beauty of soups is that the basic elements of a soup being made 100 litres at a time is the same as one being made at home.
Due to my overwhelming love for C, I started making soups and sauces. I had always been a sauce maker but had never really made sauces. Of course at Reservation I started making big batches of soups for weddings and other celebrations as well as for daily service.
Soup is something that seems really easy. You add you main feature to some water or cream and boil. However, there are, as I learned at Reservation lots of things that can go wrong with soups.
Now that I am at Without Reservation I took soups from Chef as I outlined in a previous post. Though I have witnessed a growth in the way that I am making them and what types of soups I am choosing to make. For instance, this week I have made a Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Puree, an Asian Inspired Black Bean and Ham Hock and today started a Cauliflower Veloute (one of my favorites). The roasted red pepper went over like gangbusters. The Black Bean was only half used yesterday so I bumped it up today with some orange juice, water and another ham hock. I will finish the Cauliflower Veloute when I get into work tomorrow morning.
I can almost hear you all asking; “But how do you make the actual soup?”
Well let’s answer that to demystify some of the steps in the process by using the Black Bean soup as the example.
First I started with 4 large onions which I diced and sweated down in a little oil with some garlic. This takes about five to seven minutes but be patient. The point of the sweat is to draw out the natural sugars in the onions. About four minutes into the sweat I add the carrots and celery and allow them to sweat as well. After about three minutes from that point I deglazed it with about a third to a half a bottle of white wine. The night before I had soaked some chilies in a little sweet rice wine vinegar and water. I allow the wine to reduce and then add the black beans and ham hocks stirring them in completely. Cover with water and let simmer. After about an hour and a half (and filling the water back up a little lets just say two more litres and about seven hundred and fifty milliliters of Orange Juice) I turn the heat off and let it sit for a couple of minutes. As a result of the flavours that I was after in this particular soup I juiced four limes and added the juice and a little of the pulp to the soup. I then removed the ham hocks and put them under running cold water to allow them to cool so I could handle them. While this is happening I used an immersion blender to combine all the flavours fully. Once the ham hocks were cool I then took the fat off and deposit it in the bottom of the soup terrine. I then take the meat of the ham hocks of the bone and shredded it coarsely and deposited it in the soup.
You see, there really isn’t much to it. I really enjoyed this soup because Toronto has been hit by an Artic blast that has the city beyond cold, especially when you factor in the wind chill. The heat was just enough to hit you on the back of your palate and to warm you up and it was really well balanced. Today I thought it was even better as the flavours had all come together even more. To bump it up today I added a bit more water, some more orange juice and another ham hock.
DELCICIOUS.
Abraham Maslow once said; “A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting” I couldn’t agree more.
Are you living your dream? Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Joel Robuchon (file under Complete for the House Cook!)
I would like to start by saying that Joel Robuchon is truly one of the greats. As many of you by now have seen he is a culinary legend and has much to teach. Reading “The Complete Robuchon” I realize just how far I’ve come and how much further I have to go.
By way of review for lack of a better term I would say that this book is perfect for the motivated home cook. I believe what he has done is taken a intensely complex culinary knowledge and packaged it in a way that would be meaningful to the growing legions of cooks at home who want to do something a little bit more than, say, The Joy of Cooking.
Most of the knowledge in it is things that by way of earlier studying or practical application I have learned in the past year. However, and this is important, the recipes that he chose to include in the book are extremely valuable and are a solid baseline for any cook to build upon. For that reason I will say that I do strongly recommend “The Complete Robuchon.”
More than that he explains terms in a way that anyone can understand them. Conversions, culinary terms, measurements, techniques, are all described in a good way for a true student of the culinary arts.
I look forward to building upon his recipes, and even incorporating some of them, into my own repertoire and if you are lucky, you might just get to experience my version of a Joel Robuchon classic.
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
By way of review for lack of a better term I would say that this book is perfect for the motivated home cook. I believe what he has done is taken a intensely complex culinary knowledge and packaged it in a way that would be meaningful to the growing legions of cooks at home who want to do something a little bit more than, say, The Joy of Cooking.
Most of the knowledge in it is things that by way of earlier studying or practical application I have learned in the past year. However, and this is important, the recipes that he chose to include in the book are extremely valuable and are a solid baseline for any cook to build upon. For that reason I will say that I do strongly recommend “The Complete Robuchon.”
More than that he explains terms in a way that anyone can understand them. Conversions, culinary terms, measurements, techniques, are all described in a good way for a true student of the culinary arts.
I look forward to building upon his recipes, and even incorporating some of them, into my own repertoire and if you are lucky, you might just get to experience my version of a Joel Robuchon classic.
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
Sobriety (file under… Really, has it been that long?)
A man who has influenced me greatly, Hunter S. Thompson once said; “There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.” This past quote has been used to describe me more than once.
I have been known to allow my vices to take hold of my life more than once in the past 23 years since I started entertaining them. Last year I allowed those vices, at times, to take center stage in my enjoyment.
I made a decision toward the end of 2008, over the holidays to be specific, that I was going to go to personal rehab after my birthday. I was for the first time since I was thirteen years of age go 30 days without a drink, marijuana, or any other vice that I have enjoyed. And believe me there have been many.
As such, after enjoying my birthday party last week, I started to “dry out” and give my body something it hasn’t experienced in quite a long time… Sobriety. I believe that part of it is because I never have. Although I believe that the larger element in the decision is the fact that I have been taking great strides in my life. I have a woman I love and cherish. A dream that I am living daily. And the realization that in order to have fun I need nothing other than myself, my friends, my family, etc.
DON’T GET ME WRONG! I’m not saying that I’m a quitter. Merely that I need to take 30 days off for myself. To find out what it feels like. To get this year started off on the right footing.
I am EXTREMELY proud to say that as of today, this is the longest I have ever gone without a drink since 13. THIRTEEN! A good start but I still have a long way to go to February 11.
It has been easier than at first I thought it would be. There have been physical side effects. Such as waking up at ridiculous hours with silly amounts of energy. A little shakiness here and there but other than that it has been mental and that has been easy. Have any of you tried to be sober for thirty days?
Oscar Wilde once said; “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation”
How true.
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
I have been known to allow my vices to take hold of my life more than once in the past 23 years since I started entertaining them. Last year I allowed those vices, at times, to take center stage in my enjoyment.
I made a decision toward the end of 2008, over the holidays to be specific, that I was going to go to personal rehab after my birthday. I was for the first time since I was thirteen years of age go 30 days without a drink, marijuana, or any other vice that I have enjoyed. And believe me there have been many.
As such, after enjoying my birthday party last week, I started to “dry out” and give my body something it hasn’t experienced in quite a long time… Sobriety. I believe that part of it is because I never have. Although I believe that the larger element in the decision is the fact that I have been taking great strides in my life. I have a woman I love and cherish. A dream that I am living daily. And the realization that in order to have fun I need nothing other than myself, my friends, my family, etc.
DON’T GET ME WRONG! I’m not saying that I’m a quitter. Merely that I need to take 30 days off for myself. To find out what it feels like. To get this year started off on the right footing.
I am EXTREMELY proud to say that as of today, this is the longest I have ever gone without a drink since 13. THIRTEEN! A good start but I still have a long way to go to February 11.
It has been easier than at first I thought it would be. There have been physical side effects. Such as waking up at ridiculous hours with silly amounts of energy. A little shakiness here and there but other than that it has been mental and that has been easy. Have any of you tried to be sober for thirty days?
Oscar Wilde once said; “Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation”
How true.
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
21… Again (file under a year of renewal)
As many of you know I just celebrated my birthday and I am 21…. Again. Or so it feels and seems anyway. The past year (which I will broaden on during my one year anniversary of my blog) has been to say the least… Amazing.
I recall that Bill Clinton once said; “Success is not the measure of a man but a triumph over those who choose to hold him back.”
I have been triumphant this past year. I have come to know the meaning of life (in a personal sense and yes even a universal one but for that you’ll have to wait for the book or at least a dinner).
This year seemed a little less significant as a birthday. Perhaps because it is one of those odd years past thirty and before forty that seems to matter just a little bit less. The birthday that is. Not the year.
I am grateful to all those that came out to my party and had a good time. It was, as usual, a truly spectacular moment in time, surrounded by friends and families. For those that missed it, I have a feeling that next years is going to be, well, quite a milestone, in more ways than one. I look forward to the year ahead. To the challenges. The triumphs. The continuation of my dream and the legacy that I’ve begun.
So hold onto your hats. 2009 is going to be quite a year. I welcome it. Embracing fully, for the first time in my life, the complete meaning of life and my reason for being on this earth.
Buddha once said; “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
Are you dreaming big and inspired? START TODAY! You’ll be amazed where it will lead you.
A la prochaine
SDM
I recall that Bill Clinton once said; “Success is not the measure of a man but a triumph over those who choose to hold him back.”
I have been triumphant this past year. I have come to know the meaning of life (in a personal sense and yes even a universal one but for that you’ll have to wait for the book or at least a dinner).
This year seemed a little less significant as a birthday. Perhaps because it is one of those odd years past thirty and before forty that seems to matter just a little bit less. The birthday that is. Not the year.
I am grateful to all those that came out to my party and had a good time. It was, as usual, a truly spectacular moment in time, surrounded by friends and families. For those that missed it, I have a feeling that next years is going to be, well, quite a milestone, in more ways than one. I look forward to the year ahead. To the challenges. The triumphs. The continuation of my dream and the legacy that I’ve begun.
So hold onto your hats. 2009 is going to be quite a year. I welcome it. Embracing fully, for the first time in my life, the complete meaning of life and my reason for being on this earth.
Buddha once said; “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
Are you dreaming big and inspired? START TODAY! You’ll be amazed where it will lead you.
A la prochaine
SDM
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Baz Luhrmann's "Wear Sunscreen"
Every once in a while I have a song that seems to stick in my head... usually for a good reason. Today's was no exception. I strongly recommend downloading it if you don't have it already. It is FILLED with pearls of wisdom. And it pretty much gives you an awesome guidebook of advice for life. I try to live by most of the advice and I bet you can even isolate which advice I listen to most.
Baz Luhrmann's "Wear Sunscreen"
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97
Wear Sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh nevermind,
you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you
and how fabulous you really looked,
you are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts,
don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy, sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind,
the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults,
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life,
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t,
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40,
Maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary
What ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can, don’t be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurtin, but I've been waitin' to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard,
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
Maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia,
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen
Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurtin, but I've been waitin' to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Everybody's free oh yeah
Everybody's free oh yeah
By the way, I have been working like a dog but plan on writing posts tomorrow about the books I've been reading, work, my birthday and much, much more. So until tomorrow (though if you live in Toronto I doubt you'll need to)
WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
Baz Luhrmann's "Wear Sunscreen"
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97
Wear Sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future,
sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh nevermind,
you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you
and how fabulous you really looked,
you are not as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts,
don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy, sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind,
the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults,
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life,
the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22
what they wanted to do with their lives,
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t,
Maybe you’ll divorce at 40,
Maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary
What ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can, don’t be afraid of it,
or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurtin, but I've been waitin' to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are the best link to your past
and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get,
the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard,
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander,
you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young
prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
Maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia,
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off,
painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen
Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurtin, but I've been waitin' to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can
Everybody's free oh yeah
Everybody's free oh yeah
By the way, I have been working like a dog but plan on writing posts tomorrow about the books I've been reading, work, my birthday and much, much more. So until tomorrow (though if you live in Toronto I doubt you'll need to)
WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Are you dreaming big and inspired?
A la prochaine
SDM
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