Wednesday, June 12, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 12, 2013

We divided into teams and each group was given specific frozen desserts to make. We were each assigned a dairy based (ice cream), fruit based (sorbet) and still frozen dessert (desserts that are frozen without stirring but air is incorporated first). Our group had French style ice cream, apple sorbet, and parfait.  

We opted for vanilla as our ice cream flavor. French style ice cream simply means it includes egg yolks. To make the ice cream, we mixed the milk, cream, part of the sugar, and vanilla bean in a saucepan and brought it to a boil. We whipped the egg yolks and the second part of the sugar together. Then we tempered the hot liquid with the egg-sugar mixture. We returned the mixture to the stove and bought it to Nappe (coating the back of a spoon). We then churned the mixture in an ice cream machine and placed into pyramid molds and topped with a dacquoise (a nut meringue cake).  When turned out of the molds, the dacquoise was on the bottom which will absorb the ice cream as it melts.


For the apple sorbet, we peeled green apples. We then blended the apple pieces in a food processor. Next we mixed in the water, granulated sugar and corn syrup.  Once this was mixed to a fine puree, we added a little lemon juice. The sugar density range for a sorbet should between 16% to 18% so we tested the level with a Baume (baa-may) hydrometer.  We adjusted the mixture to add a bit more sugar and then churned it in the ice cream machine.  Because we added the lemon juice, the mixture turned out like a sour green apple flavor.  This was my favorite sorbet that was made.


Next we completed the parfait. A parfait is layered. The word actually means perfect layers. We decided on a white chocolate and raspberry parfait.  To make the parfait we combined egg yolk and sugar and whipped over heat until the sugar was dissolved and the mixture thickened.  Then we simply folded in cream that was whipped to medium peak, divided the mixture in half and added flavoring.  For the mold, we lined a PVC pipe that was cut in half with acetate and secured the ends with acetate and cardboard.  We layered the mousse alternating between the white chocolate and raspberry and then covered with dacquoises and froze.  

With the extra parfait, we also filled PVC pipes lined with acetate.  We added dacquoises and nuts first and then layered the mousse and froze.




Ice creams that were made were by other teams included caramel, pistachio, and green tea.  The caramel and pistachio ice creams turned out good however the green tea was not good at all. 


Caramel Ice Cream

Pistachio Ice Cream
Green Tea

Other sorbets made included mango, lemon, and raspberry. The lemon sorbet was also a favorite of the group. 
Mango Sorbet


Lemon Sorbet


Raspberry Sorbet


A raspberry granite was also made. A granite (grah nee tay) is like sorbet but with a lower sugar content.  It is made with 4 parts liquid to 1 part sugar.  The group consensus was that it tasted like watered down Kool-aid.


Raspberry Granite




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 11, 2013

We continued on with learning about frozen desserts.  We reviewed the different types of stabilizers and emulsifiers, the formulas for each type of frozen dessert along with the mixing methods.

Monday, June 10, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 10, 2013

This week we will be learning frozen desserts.  This includes ice creams, sherbets, and sorbets. We learned specifics on dairy products, sweeteners, and flavorings today.


Thursday, June 6, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 6, 2013

We worked on assembly and completion of the showpiece.  

First we selected a granite stand for the showpiece to sit. We wrapped the granite with cellophane as the piece will be sprayed with a coating of chocolate. We then started assembly of the base plate, separating piece, the second base plate and the half sphere that the pole will be placed in. 




Next we added the pole in the center of the half sphere and filled with chocolate. Once the pole was set, we added the first seahorse at the top of the pole.











We continued to attach each of the elements to the pole. 






Once the pieces were attached and set, we sprayed the entire structure with a coating of chocolate.














After the chocolate had dried, we then added the the seaweed, bubbles, and finishing touches.






Wednesday, June 5, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 5, 2013

Plan B was in full effect as we started to make all the structural components that would be used to create the showpiece.  

We began with cutting a PVC pipe to 2', lined the inside with parchment paper, duct taped one end, and created a cardboard stand for the pipe to site upright on its own.  We then poured tempered chocolate into the pipe and let it set overnight.



We continued by cutting poster board into shapes to used as templates to cut out the two base chocolate plates that the chocolate pipe would sit on, the seahorses, the fish shapes, and the seaweed. We also selected some different size chocolate molds to create bubbles that would be placed  throughout the centerpiece. 


Once the chocolate was tempered, we poured it onto a  flat surface with metal bars as a frame and smoothed the chocolate to a even flat surface.



Once the chocolate set but was still pliable, we used the templates to cut the pieces out of the chocolate.  



We completed all the structural elements necessary to assemble the showpiece tomorrow. Each of us took a fish or seahorse home and used modeling chocolate to add the detail and depth to the pieces.  Below is the fish that I completed.  It took approximately 2-1/2 hours to complete the modeling on this piece.















Tuesday, June 4, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 4, 2013

The focus today was finalizing the design for the showpiece. We decided on an under the sea themed piece with a seahorse as the focal point.  The guideline for the piece had to be approximately 3 feet high by 1 to 1-1/2 feet wide.


Once we had a good grasp on what the design would be, we were tasked with creating a mock up out of cardboard and duct tape.  This allowed us to see if our design would actually work and help determine what structural elements were required for the piece.

After completing our mock up, we decided to test our main structural piece which was to be a tall 2 foot tall coral structure that the seahorse would attach too. We attempted two different techniques in small scale to try obtain the structural element and desired effect.  Unfortunately both methods were unsuccessful.  It was the end of class and we now had to come up with a new design for our piece that we would not be able to mock up or plan like our original design.



Monday, June 3, 2013

TECHNIQUES IN CHOCOLATE

June 3, 2013

This week the focus was on a chocolate showpiece.   A showpiece is a much larger scale display than the centerpiece we covered in the first week of chocolate. We started the day by learning  different decorating techniques and ways to spread chocolate that can be used for the showpiece. We then separated into teams and brainstormed on ideas for our showpiece that we would be creating this week.