Bonjour everyone!
It’s old news but I’m back, I’m back and can’t wait to get
cooking, baking, writing and blogging! There’s so much to tell about our Europe
adventures but I guess you will just have to read about them in detail at www.jenthecookingtourist.blogspot.com. Yes, I know, I know, my postings
didn’t go up as planned but the point is that, hey, I’m still writing. Thank
you to those who have been over for a visit to my blog, the letters of
encouragement I have received, the invites to write for events and magazines;
and interviews I have yet to jump into.
So how in total has
this trip been, you asked? Well, the thing about travelling for long periods of time is that somehow
when you get back you will inevitably fall into either, or, 2 states! There are
- The Melancholy State or The Restorative
State. For a while I guess I kinda felt both these symptoms; melancholy
because there’s so much to be inspired by but for now it has come to an end, “nothing is forever” and restored
because I done what was to me, so hard to do – “to go away and remap”. You see, I’ve always like to think that I’m
a planner, year in year out, our entire family, we sit down and we plan our
goals – BUT - for the year or at the
most, the year after! The trouble with that is, that’s only part of our big
picture. After like many many years and after being so caught up with LIFE, we sort of fail to realise,
really realise, that our goals and dreams dreamt long time ago might no longer
apply, are kinda forgotten or to hit the nail smack on the head, are terribly, terribly
OUTDATED and that includes our very own selves!
I mean consider this, middle aged, spiritually drained, mentally screwed,
physically out of shape and emotionally depleted. So in retrospect, the trip was
food for my soul!
What can you say about
Europe? For the
countries, this is how I would describe them in short.
Paris is where you should be if you are a
romantic and when you are passionate about fine foods, cheese, wine and
pastries. The food, the pastries and bread are by far the best I’ve sampled, I
mean where on earth (apart from my kitchen) can you get a Fresh Strawberry and
Marshmallow Tart that tastes so exquisite. Or,
find a patisserie or boulangerie on every street? And by romantic, well, what I
really mean is, about finding and/or being the best. Also, If you like gazing
at beautiful women, why, take the next Air Asia flight out! Mr Palencia says
French women in comparison are “beautiful”
and reluctantly; I tend to agree.
Now, if you want to witness and see for yourself - true love - you must go to Lourdes. There love is FREE and everywhere, even amidst the
sick and dying. There is no generation gap. Lourdes is where Faith, Hope and
Charity live - where you go to soften your heart.
For anyone who wants to go shoe shopping, experience talent, view
fashion, observe mafia at work, eat the best
Pizza Margherita and Gelato or soak in scandalous History, Italy is totally where you ought to be.
Switzerland on the other hand is a preview of Heaven,
blessed by nature, you have to go there to believe it! The whole kingdom was
designed with Feng Shui (common sense) in mind. Have you ever seen mountains
that were formed during the Jurassic era?
Luscious Vineyards growing all the way up to heaven and nurtured by the triple
sun? Seductive, melt in the mouth chocolate
to eat and die for? Country villages, medieval towns, majestic castles, chalets
and glaciers? Gardens and flowers tucked
in every corner? Magnificent lakes, indescribable alps and valleys? One would
say “fertility as far as the eye can see”!
All of these you will find in order, precision and harmony. And that is not
all, you have to go the Montreaux Jazz
Festival! Also, make sure you go to Tuscany before you go to Switzerland
and not the other way round. So, that’s about what I can fit in a nutshell.
So what now? Well, we wake up and we’re back in
Malaysia and back in business! We
have many new classic cooking classes. We are also happy to mention that apart
from our cooking adventures in Europe, Brabon and I have in our procession, 50 treasured recipes from seventeen of the
most elite and legendary patissiers and boulangers in Paris. Needless to
say, I’ve been going through them at every chance I get. Just for a moment,
wouldn’t you think it will be a thrill to follow in the footsteps of these
eighteenth-century pastry patrons?
LITTLE HOMEGROWN CHEF
SERIES – Believe it
or not but my little Chefs have grown and blossomed, indeed they are all ready
to take on their apprenticeship. Parents, please take note of their remaining
schedule for the year while you cheer them on. 23rd October, 30th
October and 20th November
WEEKLY SERIES FOR
OCTOBER– 11th October - Tuesday (Citrus Roast Chicken) 13th
October - Thursday (Spaghetti Bolognaise) 18th October – Tuesday
(Bruschetta) 20th October - Thursday (Beef Burgers) 25th
October - Tuesday (Cottage Pie) 27th October - Thursday (Strawberry
Pavlova)
PARIS MACARONS CLASS – Happening on 29th
October for 3 hour class (2 spots available)
STRICTLY FRENCH PASTRY
CLASS – Happening on
11th November for 4 hour class (2 spots available)
EUROPEAN SECRETS – 9th October - French Symphony (Eggplant and Tomato
Confit, Chicken Made in Normandy, Peaches baked with Olive Oil and Fresh Basil NOTE – IF WHITE PEACHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE,
DESSERT WILL BE REPLACED WITH APPLE CRUMBLE) and 13th November -
Swiss – Betty Bossi – (Solothurn
Boats, Salmon served with Mango Salsa and Rosti, Chocolate Trifle with sweet
Pesto) 19th November – Cooking
In Tuscany (Eggplant Parmigiana, Spinaci Ravioli served with Classic Tomato
Sauce, Tiramisu)
BABY SERIES – Our babies did pretty well last 17th
September cooking up Pizza and it got me thinking about those adults who have enquired
and contemplated but alas, have not got started! Brave and courageous at 5 and
6 years of age, what does it really take for antiques like us huh? Nevertheless,
the babies are moving forward with Potato Boat and Ice-Pops come 22nd October, Mommas and Papas,
take note!
APPRENTICE CLASS – We kicked off after a long break
on 10th September with Malaysian Cuisine (Nasi Lemak). The following
dates are our remaining schedule for the year, 15th October (French
Cuisine) 6th November (Moroccan) and 3rd December
(Spanish Cuisine) 2011. Thereafter, Apprentices’ Classes will resume in
February 2012 to November. Dear Parents,
thank you for making it your priority to register with Natasha.
YEAR END HOLIDAY
CLASSES – Yes it’s
happening and I’m happy to announce that our holiday classes starts on the 28th
November to 9th December taking place every Monday to Friday from
2pm to 5pm. This time I’ve broken the classes down into the following categories.
There are: Starters, Soups, Bread, Sides, Mains, Pasta Making, Salads, Cakes,
Cookies and Desserts. We are taking 10 students only so please sign up
early to secure your child’s place. This will also be on a first come first
serve basis and we will close as soon as the numbers come in.
JEN'S CHRISTMAS MARKET - We are delighted to announce that this year we have decided to include a new thing that we have named "Jen's Christmas Market". It is a 3 day event happening at Jen's HomeKitchen starting 16th (Fri) to 18th (Sun) December 2011, the last weekend before Christmas. During this time we will be featuring goodies such as The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World, Butter Cookies in Assorted Shapes, Raspberry Cookies, Grand Marnier Christmas Cakes, Christmas Wares, Gifts and Hampers AND including the list of our Bakery items.
All these will be up for GRABS!
You are invited to drop by anytime on the following days,
16th December, Friday from 7pm to 10pm
17th December, Saturday from 10am to 6pm
18th December, Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Please do call Natasha if you wish to make any pre orders @03 7728 7909 or 016 916 8598. Otherwise, everything will be on a first come first served each day.
Love and Peace, Jen
www.jenthecookingtourist.blogspot.com
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