"Rollin' in the Dough"

        Hello friends! I have posted a photo of some sweet rolls I made last week (along with about 10 loaves of various types of bread) since some of you have requested to see the product of my culinary training thus far. This week we focused on chocolate, learning to temper, or bring the chocolate to a certain temperature so that it sets quickly and becomes shiny when cooled. I made several molds including an Easter bunny, a seashell, a pair of bakers, and a couple dozen truffles filled with coffee ganache (yum!). Wednesday we produced Florentines and continued to improve our chocolate piping skills, which is definitely testing my patience.
In addition to producing endless delicious treats, I have actually gotten a job here in Gladesville! Each Friday I’ll be the cook at Caffelatte, a local coffee shop and café. I began Thursday and trained with Renise, the Wednesday/Thursday cook, who was thankfully patient with me as I tried to adjust to the commercial cooking environment. Yesterday I was on my own, and aside from over-cooking a couple of eggs during a flood of breakfast orders, I managed to complete my first day without any disasters. Steve, the owner, kept me going with helpful instruction and encouragement (and a couple of cappuccinos). I’m excited to be earning a bit of money, but it’s probably good that I’m only cooking there once a week…
Wilson is still enjoying his classes, claiming Asia-Pacific politics to be his favorite. He also submitted his first writing assignment, a ministerial briefing about whether or not Australia should appoint a permanent ambassador to the Vatican. When he’s not preparing for class, studying for the LSAT, or working out, he’s glued to the Olympic coverage (as am I).
As for our tourist adventures, we’ve planned a trip to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory and Port Douglas, an access point to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. Tomorrow, we’re headed to the Sydney Aquarium, so we’ll let you know how that goes!