The last two days have been really tiring, my 7am walks around the luscious gardens are continuing unabated but there are times when staying in bed seems a better idea, however once you walk around this idyllic place in the mornings before the mayhem begins, you cant think of a better place to be.
Yesterday was a theory day (every Wednesday will be the same) and we learnt a million and one things to do with milk. It started with the still warm milk being put through a separator to extract the cream and then we watched in amazement as butter, paneer (Indian cheese), a hard cheese (ready for eating in 3 months) and ricotta were all made in a short space of time. Then it was time for a well deserved lunch with the usual fine array of delicacies.
The afternoon was spent with Colm McCann, the award winning sommelier from Ballymaloe, where my limited knowledge of wine received a welcome boost, we focused on Riesling and Chardonnay with a particular focus on Chablis, we then tasted 6 different wines and learnt how to do it properly. To be fair there was a certain amount of deja vu for me as I have completed a wine course as part of my degree, however I retained virtually nothing so here's hoping that Colm will make the knowledge stick!
Today we were back to the kitchens and creme caramel with caramel sauce and caramel shards, I also cooked a spicy chicken dish. I have attached photos however the creme caramel looked so good I forgot to take pictures until we had tucked into it after "presenting" it to the teacher.
This afternoon we learnt how to fillet a round fish and tomorrow I will be filleting a cod then cooking it with creamy sauce!
Other than that, man flu seems to be abating and I hope to be in fine form to try and catch some of the Ryder Cup this weekend!
Speak Soon
T
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