100 Pounds: Croissants, Ice Cream & Tables of Food

Since I'm attending a professional pastry program I knew I would be surrounded by desserts all the time. The good thing about this is I don't have much of a sweet tooth. However like most Americans, I can always make room for ice cream. And two weeks ago, we spent two days making the most delicious ice creams and sorbets. My group in particular made a coffee flavored ice cream, which sounds pretty simple. Except the fact that we put white & dark chocolate hazelnut chips in it that put Ben & Jerry's chip size to shame. One of the more interesting flavors in class was a Tomato Sorbet paired with a Pine Nut ice cream. Together the nutty-ness mixed with sweet tomato compliment each other so well. After a week of eating ice cream I was looking forward to hopefully taking a break ... and I had no such luck.

For the past two weeks it has been nothing but croissants. And if there is one weakness I have in this world, it is for croissants. How can someone not like them? They are pure butter (In a good way) and can be made into a variety of different flavors to please anyone. There is your basic rolled butter croissant which was extremely rich. Since we let the dough rest overnight, they developed a great flavor. An almond croissant which is oozing on the inside with almond cream and topped with sliced almonds & powdered sugar. And my personal favorite -- the chocolate croissant. We were lucky enough to be able to save some raw dough to freeze ... Therefore I can bring some to my family on Easter Sunday (And I am beyond excited for some family time!)


Between ice cream and croissants, I had the opportunity to work an awesome charity event through school called Taste of the Nation. It is an event put on by the Share Our Strength organization who dedicate their time to ending childhood hunger. The event was held at Hynes Convention Center and when we weren't busy working behind the pastry table to represent school, we were walking around table to table sampling food from hundreds of restaurants in the Boston area. It was great to be a part of such a cool event which raised a ton of money for a great organization. And of course, I felt fortunate to be eating all the amazing food prepared by Boston's finest.


I have been eating so horrible the past three weeks and I'm convinced I have gained at least 100 pounds. Oh well. I have to work on the whole exercise thing ... because the only form I've been getting is the effort it takes to lift up a piece of food and put it in my mouth.


My ice cream pictures wouldn't work, but below enjoy some images of various viennoiserie: croissants, danish & puff pastry.