I gotta start blogging more often :)

So I don't mean to be so infrequent with my posts, and I'm trying to fit in a second time where I can sit and blog. Hopefully I'll work at updating even more that that, but for today I apoligize if there is alot to read *cough* Josh *Cough* *Cough*

Anywho, this week we were working on soup stocks, so at the beginning of the week we made a chicken stock, an asian stock, and a beef stock. We did all the prep, but we didn't have the bones we needed to actually start, so instead for the last 45 min or so of class the teacher gave us vegetable and told us to make a soup... this was a mini test. I should also mention that that day we learned about different spices and whatnot (or maybe it was the day before?) so that was also part of the test to see how we mixed spices and herbs into out soups, although it wasn't explicit in the instructions. I only put in a few spices because the teacher had mentioned several times already that the key to a good dish is simplicity.
The next day we made the stocks, and then on wednesday (our last day of classes for the week) we made fish stock... and then a fish glace (I think that what it's called, essentially it's similar to fish stock only there's wine and lemon in it as well and it uses the fish stock). Then he showed us how to fillet salmon and we each got a piece to make poached salmon along with a small salad and vinegerette to finish the dish. I must say that wednesday was the best lunch so far.

As for the pastry class, I apologize because I can't remember everything we made by name, but we made apple pies from scratch, including the filling, we made chololate short dough tarts, we made mousse and a whole bunch of other chocolatey things... I will hopefully be posting more pictures of the desserts I'm making... and when I remember to take pictures of the main courses I will post those as well. To end off the week we made keishes, which are harder to roll out because the dough dosen't have sugar in it.

That more or less sums up this week. Thankfully I've more or less figured out how to get to school on a sheirut, I just need to get up early enough. I also figured out where I need to get off on the bus home to avoid walking aimlessly for an extra 30 min or so than I need to. However, my getting lost the first week gave me somewhat of a sense for the area... along with a map that I have which is usefull if you read it correctly...

Also, thursday night some of the people from the program got together for some drinks which was a fun/ interesting night. For future record: 1. beware of girls who say they bite when they are drunk, and 2. if a girl (or I assume anyone for that matter) says that they can hold their alcohol and says they bite it usually means they can't do the former.

MAZAL TOV? Take 2

Sorry, somehow When I cut and pasted everything I wrote it turned it into a URL for the first picture and didn't even show the text, so here is what I tried to post the first time:


Okay, so actually cut myself off earlier than I wanted to yesterday, so here's a bit more for you to read...

On Thursday night I went back to the mikveh with all the pots and pans and other misc items I hadn't already taken the first round because I need them for class on Sunday. Since there were so many dishes I used my moms suggestion of putting them all in a rolling suitcase I have instead of possibly having to make multiple trips. When I arrived at the mikveh there was someone else there (also english speaking). When I opened up the suitcase and started the dunking he looked first at the suitcase and then at me and said "Mazal Tov?" (Congratulations?) (He thought I just got married) so I laughed and said "No, I'm just in cooking school!"

MAZAL TOV?

Okay, so actually cut myself off earlier than I wanted to yesterday, so here's a bit more for you to read...

On Thursday night I went back to the mikveh with all the pots and pans and other misc items I hadn't already taken the first round because I need them for class on Sunday. Since there were so many dishes I used my moms suggestion of putting them all in a rolling suitcase I have instead of possibly having to make multiple trips. When I arrived at the mikveh there was someone else there (also english speaking). When I opened up the suitcase and started the dunking he looked first at the suitcase and then at me and said "Mazal Tov?" (Congratulations?) (He thought I just got married) so I laughed and said "No, I'm just in cooking school!"

Okay, so I guess that was really all I wanted to add yesterday... except for some pictures which I will post now...

This is the sun setting from Beit ShemeshThis is the front of the JCI, and my dad who obviously didn't realize he was in the picture

Okay, just my looking at this picture you probably gained 20LB. These are the Tarts we were working on all week. We didn't make our own, but we all worked on all the different steps together (making and rolling the dough, making the pastry cream and chocolate soufle, and cutting the fruit)


Also, I'm sorry if the type in this post is off, I think next time I need to add the pictures first.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!!

Okay, so this has been quite the week, and I apologize for the delay in updating but the internet at the yeshiva is only available during certain times and even when it is available it barely works. Also I'm so busy being super cool that I'm not always around when I could use the internet.

Anywho... we started classes this week on monday (Sunday will usually be classes as well but this week it was the orientation) working on knife skills in the cooking class and then working on tarts and pastry creams in the baking class. Our first homework assignment was tovel our knives monday night so we could actually use them in the kitchen. Some of the yeshiva sudents tried telling me where in beit shemesh there was a dish mikveh, but I couldn't find it and NO ONE in the area that I asked on the street was able to help me. On Tuesday morning, hwever I asked Devarya, the woman who runs the office in the school, where there was a dish mikveh and SHE knew where there were several. She copied a map for me, highlighted the route I needed to take and then highlighted a couple other places that were farther but also mikvehs. Once armed with the proper directions I called my teacher to see if he would prefer I show up on time or be late and tovel the knives. He preferred I take care of my knives. Going to and from the mikveh took maybe thirty minutes, but then when I got to the bus stop I thought I needed to be at I waited for about 45 minutes and did NOT see the 415 bus, so I tried asking around to see where I needed to be. I found a second bus stop that has a sign saying the 415 stops there. I found out later is does not. So I was waiting for another 45 minutes or so when i realized I NEEDED to get to school and called a cab to take me.
At school they had been practicing, you guessed it, knife skills. However the teacher decided that everyone would make their own soups with the vegetables they were practicing on so there would be lunch. I showed up with roughly an hour left to the lesson so I was not able to make soup. I WAS able to make a salad that was delicious, so don't worry I DID have lunch!
In the afternoon we were working on tarts and pastry creams... I know that they taste great and look delicious, but I'm fairly certain that the calorie count is through the roof!
Wednesday I got to school on time but I had to spring for another cab seeing as though I hadn't quite figured out the bus from beit shemesh yet. We practiced juliening the vegetables and triangular cuts and cutting at an angle, but we didn'd make anything with it, so I went to the entrance to the moshav where the school is located to buy felafel from a small felafel stand there. The felafel, by the way, is soooooo good. He makes it on the spot when you show up!

So then, finally, my last class of the week was the pasrty class wednesday afternoon. We finished all of the torts that we were working on including blind baking (making pre-made pie shells) and chocolate soufle :D I was able to bring home a few samples which I saved for my parents seeing as though they are here and are paying for the classes, and i'll be able to bring food back regularly. I have pictures of the pastries all set up before we annhialted them, but I haven't had a chance to upload them. I'll do my best to post them in a timely fashion. To end my day I had to take another cab because we needed to tovel the rest of our supples (including pots and pans and other various kitchen items) for sunday, and I didn't want to take the big box on the bus with me.
Thursday we went to the Shuk for a school trip. Thursdays will always be either trips or special classes. We went all around with chef Yochanan ( the pricipal/ founder of the JCI) where he would explain about different foods and give suggestions as to what dishes he might make with those ingredients. After a few hours we were free to go, but a number of us were very hungry from hours of food talk so we went out to eat. Then after a few of us hung around Jerusalem until the later afternoon when we got a bus back to beit shemesh.
So Shabbos is about to start and I wrote alot already (unfortunately it had to be a bit abbreviated due to time) but I will try even harder to update a couple times next week.
Shabbat Shalom!

I think my headphones are broken

So I just tried calling a couple people from my internet line on my computer and unfortunately it didn't work so well which has led me to the conclusion that my headphones are broken. I will update when I know for sure.

So I got my first glimpse of the Jerusalem Culinary Institute on Friday. Our Family friends drove me and my father by the school to make sure we knew where it was, and then today was the orientation for students and parents who may be in the area. Let me tell you, the school is very nice and apparently world renown. They served a brunch, which was exquisite, and then we were taken on a tour of the school. We were supposed to get our uniforms today as well but the supply company didn't arrive in time and we were told we'd receive them tomorrow. Both of the chefs (I'm taking a cooking and patisserie class) are very nice and they really seem like they know what they are doing. The best part is that you really need to be hands on in order to learn. The only down side is how to get to the school. The most direct, and expensive, option would be a cab which would take me right to the doors of the school (okay, really just the front gate), my other option is the bus which is cheaper but would only take me to the bus stop right outside where the moshav is located, which means I would need to walk across the highway and be extra extra careful not to get hit by a car ... passing at about 50MPH.

All in all it seems like a great program and I'm excited to see how it is. Also, apparently some guys go there because they are college or high school dropouts and have trouble stringing sentences together. I hope that means I'll have a leg up on the competition.

Till next time, remember that the only thing worse than a dog that bites is a dog that likes you and still tries biting you!

Coming to the holy land...

So today was my first day in Israel. It was pretty uneventful in the sense that all I did today was unpack and sleep (I didn't realize how tired I was from the flight!)
My trip here was fairly uneventful. I had a connecting flight from Boston to NY, and then I waited from around 12:00PM till 8:00 in the airport. once we were on the plane we were delayed an hour and a half first because of a family who was unhappy with their seating arrangements, and then because of a medical emergency (rumor has it a woman was going into labor. I knew that I was on a plane with alot of other Jewish people because is smelled like heavy perfume and brisket.

Nothing too eventful happened during the flight save for some turbulence and a second rate flight crew... at the the stewardesses.

The yeshiva, where I'll be living for the year, is mostly the same. There is a new dormitory which is very nice, and some of the rules have changed but like I said mostly everything is the same here except for the students. There is a kitten that is living in our laundry room, however. Apparently people call her screamer because when you walk up to her all she does is meow at you. Some yeshiva students found screamer by the makolet (grocery store near the yeshiva, essentially a glorified warehouse with a cash register) and brought her back. We have no idea if she has any diseases though so everyone washes their hands after dealing with her. I try not to touch her for the very same reason. Also she won't drink milk. She's been on a steady diet of deli meat and water although it's not obvious from looking at her.
Anywhoo, thats pretty much all I have to talk about at this time, but I'll try to update soon and bring many anecdotes from my life here in the Holy Land

Chef Shmush