Apple Turnover

I have a million things to be thankful for, the biggest one is that I'm still alive. Last week Tuesday I got into a bike accident colliding into a car, threw me all the way across the street. Most people in cycle accidents dont live to tell the tale but I am grateful I am here. I am blessed because even when the devil was trying to knock me down My Lord was still protecting me. That being said I suffered some road rash, needed a couple of stitches and I know own a pair of crutches because I fractured my ankle.

Im pretty much on bed arrest and Its killing me. Last Saturday was my birthday and I had plans to make my birthday cake, eggnog ice cream, waffles and fried chicken. I was gonna top it off with a costume just dance party but I had to put all that on hold. instead I had a Sabbath lunching with my friends and family. And I made the dessert. Was kind of a feat but I had the help of my best friend so it made it bearable.

So heres what I made (I dont have pictures of the final result sorry)

Apple Turnovers

what you'll need

Four Large Apples
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Apple Juice
some cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. I didnt measure sooo I cant tell you exact.
pinch of salt
Puff pastry Sheets
egg wash

Take a pot a add Apple Juice sugar and spices and let it reduce for about an hour or halfway gone.
While it reduces peel core and dice apples.
Take a fry pan and over medium low heat and add apples and put a pinch of salt on the apples as they cook.
Cook the apples until they are nice and soft to touch they shouldn't be crunchy
once the liquid is finished reducing add the liquid to the apples and let it simmer for 15 more minutes or so. You don't want a lot of liquid  cause when you bake them the liquids will ooze out.

I used store bought puff pastry sheets because I didnt have the energy to actually try and make it from scratch. I cut the pastry into squares and add a spoonful of apple mixture in the middle leaving the edges clean folded the puff pastry on top and using a fork crimped the sides so they look pretty. Finally I covered them with an egg wash (egg beaten with a little bit of milk) and sprinkled some cinnamon and sugar on top. I cooked untill it brown and puffed up. 


They were real easy to make and my family loved it. I still cant wait to do everything I originally wanted to do for my birthday but I was glad I was still able to do one thing.

Intro to Culinary Arts

This past three weeks has been...phenomenal. My teacher Chef Eve thinks this freshman class is about to bring the heat to the kitchen and is one of her favorite set of students yet. Now that being said I have even more drive to be the best because I believe its what everyone is seriously striving for. The program is set up to have different modules that are about three weeks long. What I have learned so far includes six knife cuts, fire safety, sanitation, how to make scones and cookies as well as planning a menu and executing it. We learned how to fabricate a chicken into its separate pieces french it and de-bone it. Its been a pretty sweet few weeks. Next were focusing on meat fabrication  but here are some creations my class has done curtsy of my classmate :) ( the whole meal picture wasn't my groups sadly, we made an awesome tomato and mozzeralla salad, steak mash potatoes and asparagus, and a raspberry moose. but I forgot to snap the picture)

Tag Line

In class we assigned to come up with a tag line that represented our lives. Today I finished it and I wanted to share :)

For me “If you want to change the world you can’t sleep through it.” is both metaphoric and literal. In the past two years I’ve noticed that I’ve been sleeping and expecting change. Whether it be a couple naps between classes and late mornings, or letting the days drift by without actively pursuing my goals I have not contributed to changing the world, or rather my world. I believe when we wake up and get out of bed or whatever comfort zone we are sitting in you will change the world as you know it, eventually witnessing the butterfly effect and see how you have changed the world as others see it too.

Waking up for most is the hardest thing to do; settling for the dreams born on pillows is never enough. So I challenge myself and you as well to roll out of bed, step away from your comfort zone and set in motion the necessary requirements to making a dream become a reality.

My name is Priya Ratteray and my dream is to one day own my own bakery, become a stronghold spiritually, and for my body to be physically in shape and healthy.  Today I wake up.

Baker

So it has been decided I am to be a baker maybe a chef, and I must say I am very happy with my decision. I am currently enrolled in a culinary program here in Bermuda and as I learn the different techniques I plan to share them with you. Now I wont make no promises or Challenges (as I failed my last challenge a pie a month) but I do plan to keep you posted as best I can. So keep a eye out for favorite recipes and bloopers as I grow in this profession. Lets just say what you see now is my Mise en Place and I cant wait to serve you up the final meal.

p.s. After one year I finished my dental assisting program, I learned I wouldn't mind doing that on the side because it is an awesome career (dental stuff period) but for me Baking won out :)

Februrary Is Apple Crumble

Pie A Al Mode

So this month I have been working on my apple crumble. Ive made three apple crumble pies and I think my biggest challenge is perfecting my crust. The overall results thus far was everything from foodgasmic to alright.  So here goes, for one pie

Pie Crust

1 1/3 cups flour
1½ tablespoons sugar
¼ pound (one stick, eight tablespoons, ½ cup) butter
1 dash salt
3 tablespoons cold water

When making the pie first you want to sift the flower sugar and salt together. Once sifted, take your butter and cut it into little cubes (make sure its cold). Add the butter cubes to the flour and mix so that the flour and butter form little balls or look like crumble. All I had to do this with was a fork, let me tell you it gets tiring. When that's finished add three tablespoons of cold water. If your dough is still crumbly add about one more tablespoon but that should be enough. Finally roll your dough in a ball and place it in a plastic bag and leave it for a least an hour to whenever your ready to use it. Before adding any filling you need to first bake the pie crust for about 15 to 20 mins.

I was making two pies when I took this, for one pie you would only have one ball

Filling
6 cups thinly sliced apples (about 6 large apples)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

This is step is pretty simple. The hardest part about it is peeling those friggen apples!. It  took me what seemed forever and its not the most exciting part of the process. Once you've peeled your apples you should boil them in some water to  soften them  up. You don't want to leave them in for to long because no one wants to eat apple sauce. Mines probably boiled for about 10 to 15 min. Next drain your apples and season them. Your pie should be finished pre-baking, so feel free to layer your filling in the crust.

Crumble
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter

This last step is real simple. Just mix the flour and brown sugar then you add the butter and like the pie crust you mix until it looks nice and crumbly. Once your satisfied with your crumble top off your pie and get ready to bake. 

Your oven needs to be preheated to 375 degrees. First your going to put your pie in covered with foil for the first 20 mins so set your timer, then remove the foil and let it heat for another 20 mins.  Now your pie should be ready let it cool then bon appetit.

Trial and Error.
The first time I made this pie I didnt use enough butter in my crumble and it looked like a flat layer of brown sugar that turned out being very crunchy. I used crisco that wasn't cold for my second set of pies and it came out very flaky which is not bad but it was very difficult to roll out the pie crust and lift to place in my pans. I'm still figuring the pie crust out but I'm sure I will be able to give better tips as this challenge goes on. Im looking forward to.

my first pie

Links
So Im not natural born genius when it comes to baking I got my recipes from
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-crumb-pie/
http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2008/05/how-to-make-pie-crust-from-scratch/

Follow Up

I was reading some old blogs and  I was reading a few that were about new transitions. Transitions to becoming a new me, my relationship with my boyfriend, spiritual. So here's an update 6 months after leaving Saipan.

A New Me.
Theres not much new to me. I have different current goals, like becoming Certified as a Dental Assistant. But my whole mindset is still a bit faulty. I guess I haven't put all my effort into it which is usually the case with me. But I am trying to change that. Funny I just started that today. For example with my studying. I woke up earlier and realized I could have a much more productive day. I finished my household chores and then I sat down opened my book took out a pen and paper and truly studied for three hours straight. This is the plan for my saturday and Sunday. (this is because I have a certification test on Monday for infection control) I know, this sounds like Super Cramming but I want to take the skills I used to cram and spread out weekly one hour a day. Then when the exam comes I'll be much more prepared. If I can do this stick to this idea then I can say a few months or so from now, I truly have changed. Because I get what I want because I went and got it. I would love to say that honestly

My Spirituality.
Alright that has defiantly sunk since I've come home. The biggest reason is because of what I mentioned above, not giving my all, but I believe where I am also plays a small part in it to. In saipan Jesus was the focus of everyone I spent time with. Here Jesus is a focus but not the biggest one, also here I don't hang out with people I stay home by myself. Being its all on me, my relationship has plummeted. I know if I want to get where I was I have to do something figuring out what is the problem and doing it when I've made up my mind is another issue. Writing this is making me feel so entitled and lazy. So Priya as of right now see what needs to be done here's hoping I'll have a better follow up in about 6 months or better yet maybe you'll notice a change as I blog later on.

My Boyfriend.
I was very worried that as we were each finding out selves we would grow apart. Well we are still together and happy but I would say that fear still came true. Were still tight as can be given the distance of miles but as time goes by we notice differences. What I'm glad about those difference hasn't broken us even if it came pretty darn close. Instead were working with it and accepting it. Being that were so stretched being Im here in Bermuda and he's in the states these rocks being thrown at our only connection is making it stronger not weaker. I think this is one aspect of my life that will fluctuate up and down but will still remain a constant in my life.

There's my follow up My next one will be three for three positive I promise. I have to be more productive in all areas of my life. Its the best way to feel good and satisfied. And I simply cant wait.

Whats Cooking Doc

So I think I'm in the clear to say I've mastered my pumpkin Cheesecake Pie. I've had numerous praises for it and from more then Tony and my Mom lol. If I say so  myself it is pretty good. Tonight I attempted to make a apple crumble pie. Now this is my first attempt at it and I don't know what it taste like but I have figured out how to make it look better (the crumble part) Ill find out how it taste tomorrow. Any way all this being said A great idea has come to my mind.

Project PIE.

Im am going to pick twelve pies I want to master one for each month of the year. Im thinking one pie a month. And on the first Sunday of December I'm going to make all 12 pies. Maybe have a Pie Party.

The rules for Project PIE are as follows.

• The shell must be made from scratch
• The filling must also be from scratch(cept for certain purees like pumpkin. I'm not squashing no pumpkin)
• Basically it all has to be from scratch.

Since January is already finished one month I'll Have to perfect two Pies. This should be fun. Look out at the end of the month for my first entry for February. Apple Crumble Pie :)

Mystery of Mr. Cambell?

Working in a Dental Office means move move move. For those of you who know me,  this has been hard because I'm constantly on cruise mode. So I have to pick up my speed when breaking down a room, sterilizing instruments, getting a patient. So I'm doing the best I can get my room ready and I walk out to the waiting room.  And I ask the receptionist if my patient is here. She told me yes. So I walk out and call for Mr. Rogers.

There's this cute old man who looks up to say that's me and I ask will you follow me? He replied "I'd follow you anywhere." So I take him to back and he shows me his tooth that is chipped, his 15, and it matches with my records. So I set him up and tell him the doctor will be with him in a moment and I'll be right back.

I leave to tell the doctor that her patient is seated and ready and which tooth seems to be the problem she gives me the ok and I walk back to my opertory to talk to Mr. Rogers. Were having a great conversation thats one thing I love about my job. So were talking and the doctor walks in and with her booming voice say MR. CAMBELL THERE YOU ARE! YOUR IN THE WRONG CHAIR. que in blush. I had the wrong patient. "Mr.Cambell" was supposed to be here for a hygiene appt. Lisa the hygienist was walking up and down every where in our small office trying to find a really old guy who shouldn't be able to get anywhere too quickly. My patient was still sitting in the waiting room.

I felt dumb lol I guess I definitely have to raise my voice especially when the patient looks old. So i gave her back her patient, I got my actual patient, and Mr. Cambell found his way back to my chair later that afternoon because at the end of the day his tooth was chipped and we was able to provide a quick fix.

Overall it was embarrassing and I'm sure I'll have a lot more embarrassing stories to tell but that was the mystery of Mr. Cambell

2012

New Year, new beginnings.  It’s the start of a new year and I make no promises to keep this blog updated but I will do my best.  I have decided that for this year I want my motto to be Better Health, Better Living Greatest Spirituality.

I have decided that the extra pounds I put on mainly from burgers and other grease food needs to go. 1 so I can lose a few pound and be even more attractive and 2 so I can feel better more rejuvenated. Im tired of huffin n puffin after walking up a couple stairs lol. Also I would like to go sleep by 10 30 11 o clock during the week. This might be hard cause the exception to that rule is if the best time to talk to tony is at 12 then I’m so staying awake. I guess in a few months if I eat better, and sleep better maybe ill feel a difference in how I view the day

For better living to accomplish that I need to start saving J  This way I can afford the things I want to enjoy life. I don’t want to just eat and go to work. I’d rather eat in a foreign country, up my wardrobe to match my new fit body and such. Do more activities with the friends I have made here.  Also I think I want to get my purple belt this year DANGER! Over all this year I think I will be less of a home body, but not that much less.

Lastly but most importantly I need to figure this walk out with God. Last year in Saipan I learned a few key tips to becoming a better woman. I haven’t exactly exercised them as of yet but if God has blessed me with a new year breathing (even if tonight my nose is stuffed) I think I can take this opportunity to get better acquainted with my Lord and Savior. Outside of a personal relationship I think this year I might help out more in church. And maybe take up the challenge the SDA church has put out and read the Great Controversy.

For 2012 I simply want a better life style I see what needs to be done but let’s see if this year I actually put one foot in front of the other and actually do it. I’ll give you updates maybe in a month or two… Well, I do pray you have a successful year and that you let God walk with you and bless you for the year 2012 I’m going to go to sleep its 8 pm but Im sick n why not get started right away huh.

PS this year I want to run the 24^th of May parade