by Madame Donna C.
Member since:
December 9, 2005

Happy Hour, The Learning Curve

September 25, 2009 01:51 PM EDT
views: 110 | comments: 56

In order to remain a competent cook, a continuing education in cooking techniques, photography and flavor combining becomes an inherent aspect of my skill set and capabilities.  Several times a year I delve into classes to refresh, learn anew and stimulate my creativity.

These photos almost speak for themselves, so all I need to add is that this is why it's called "Happy Hour."

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d857/d970/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

I happily ate, and ate more, learned until I was sated with flavor and had deconstructed the recipes.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d858/d970/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

After a little practice, I can now serve these!  Many Happy Hours ahead.

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d859/d970/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

(My next foray into the learning kitchen: Thai cooking)
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Comments: 56

Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 25, 2009, 2:08pm EDT
Well, your photography is certainly keeping up with your cooking skills :)
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:50pm EDT
Thanks, Tonia. There's nothing like some natural light!
David W. Sep 25, 2009, 2:31pm EDT
I will be over, say about sixish?

Beautiful work and photos.
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:51pm EDT
Hah! Sure David, I'll have the table set. Thanks very much.
Duckie 1 Sep 26, 2009, 1:44pm EDT

When David comes, set a place for me too, please? :-)
Marianne M. Sep 25, 2009, 3:22pm EDT
<<drooling>> Looks awesome, Madame Donna! A feast for the eyes as well as the tummy!
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:52pm EDT
Marianne, one of the things I'm learning to do is to photograph food presentations that I want to imitate and to take notes on specific flavors. It really helps!
So the scallops are resting on tiny potato latkes? That looks great.

What's in the Happy Hour?
Granny Janny H. Sep 25, 2009, 4:41pm EDT
My guess is crab, avocado, onions, cilantro, red peppers, cucumber, tomatoe, maybe gelatin, maybe mango?
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
Nippy, Thank you, and yes, those are tiny potato latkes. If you click on the photos you can read the descriptions.

Granny J, no gelatin. Nope, just moisture holding it together and gooey mango juices.
Kevin Weeks Sep 25, 2009, 3:51pm EDT
Gorgeous!
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
Ah, thank you very much, Kevin. Practice, practice, practice and then I go back and do it again.
Debbie G. Sep 25, 2009, 5:29pm EDT
So when can I come for dinner?
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:54pm EDT
Hmm, anytime time you like, Deb! You know you always have a place at our table.
Jessie K. Sep 25, 2009, 5:37pm EDT
Really stunning! I would hire you and I haven't even tasted the food. When I open Season's Eatings I hope you can brainstorm recipes with me.
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:55pm EDT
Jessie, haha, thanks but I doubt you would hire me. I'm a bit too slow for the line. I'd be happy to brainstorm with you though. From the sound of the name Season's Eatings sounds like a wonderful concept.
My kitchen creations ALL look like the middle photo - a mess! LOL
Madame Donna C. Sep 25, 2009, 6:56pm EDT
Magi! Hahahah. The best part of serving that tower is the deconstruction using two spoons to swish and combine all that goodness into a plate of salad.
Actually, what you've done looks delicious!
J F. Sep 25, 2009, 9:19pm EDT
Talk about "eye candy". Wish I could afford to take classes, but I manage to awe many people with my small accomplishments and that makes me happy.
Madame Donna C. Sep 28, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
J F., Fortunately I don't pay for the classes. I'm subsidized so for me it's just show up and learn. I've been awed by more home cooks almost more than restaurant chefs though and I am always looking for homecooks who really know their stuff. They are some of the best teachers when they possess real knowledge.
Linda K. Sep 26, 2009, 11:06am EDT
You are having too much fun :-)
Madame Donna C. Sep 28, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
Yeah, Linda, I really am. Hahah. Thanks.
Sonia M. Sep 26, 2009, 2:35pm EDT
Oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....................I missed seeing the 'happy hour' tower with the crab, avo, mango, etc......when I looked at the scallop and potato latke last night!!!!

Donna, beautiful food and gorgeous photos....I have some timbale molds I've had for ages and need to come up with something snazzy.........

Jessie...........LOVE the name Season's Eatings - great concept!
Madame Donna C. Sep 28, 2009, 8:57pm EDT
Thanks, Sonia. I've learned to improvise with everything from tuna cans to 15 oz. bean cans when I don't have the right mold! In fact, I think I'm heading out next week to enlarge my mold collection for the holidays.
Sonia M. Sep 29, 2009, 1:21pm EDT
Hope you find some unusual ones!
Aileen F. Sep 26, 2009, 7:44pm EDT
If you ever need a taste tester, I'm sure I could find my way down there.
Madame Donna C. Sep 28, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
Aileen, I can always use a new and fresh palate! I'm only a hop and a skip away.
Lilith Dorsey Sep 29, 2009, 10:26am EDT
This stuff fascinates me, beautiful pix.
Madame Donna C. Sep 30, 2009, 2:13pm EDT
Lilith, me too! I love learning new ways to present food--and it's so simple!
April H. Oct 1, 2009, 12:09pm EDT
This looks so delicious! Those sprouts are just lovely!
Madame Donna C. Oct 2, 2009, 5:16pm EDT
Thanks very much, April
David S. Oct 4, 2009, 11:20am EDT
Super photos, and they look delicious!
Madame Donna C. Oct 17, 2009, 9:18pm EDT
Thanks, David. I'm sorry to reply so long after your comment but I've been absorbed in learning lately.
Lou Anne L. Oct 5, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
I know I am CRAB happy right now, seeing these lovely photo's....
screen licking good...
whipped up the last batch of fresh salsa for the year...sigh....
but now ONTO HORSERADISH!!!! I am doing it this year.... got my processor out and ready to " clear the room with toxic fumes...LOL"( see I am gonna put the first frost to good use...")
I have cut back on my computer time...so I am glad there hasn't been way to much going on.....
but I could use a few more photos like these over the winter.....dreaming of dinner at Madame D's
Madame Donna C. Oct 17, 2009, 9:20pm EDT
Ah Lou Anne, it was so good to find your comment here! I've made more horseradish than I care to recall and without fail, I come close to blowing my sinuses to Jupiter every time! Haha. I'll try to post more photos when I finish my current learning experience. Maybe the spicy pics can help keep you warm through the winter!
David C. Oct 5, 2009, 8:34pm EDT
Impressive!can almost (but unfortunately, not quite) taste it!
Madame Donna C. Oct 17, 2009, 9:21pm EDT
David, thank you. One of these days we might get smell-o-vision to convey a slight overture of the food in the photos, eh?
Shannon W Oct 11, 2009, 9:08pm EDT
Mmm, it looks beautiful and tasty
Madame Donna C. Oct 17, 2009, 9:22pm EDT
Thank you very much, Shannon. I hope all is good with your beautiful boys.
Joan O. Oct 14, 2009, 9:26pm EDT
Breathtaking. Bet it was yummy. Great foodie shots.
Madame Donna C. Oct 17, 2009, 9:22pm EDT
Thanks, Joan. It was a tough class. I'm glad for the effort though!
Toni V. Oct 19, 2009, 9:15am EDT
Very pretty and it looks yummy too.
Madame Donna C. Nov 11, 2009, 1:12pm EST
Thank you, Toni.
Debra H. Oct 25, 2009, 7:16am EDT
Great pics it all looks so cool
Madame Donna C. Nov 11, 2009, 1:12pm EST
Debra, thanks very much.
Alison H. Oct 26, 2009, 12:20am EDT
Yummmmmy!
Madame Donna C. Nov 11, 2009, 1:13pm EST
Thanks, Alison.
David L. Oct 30, 2009, 12:07am EDT
Donna -

JHTDC!!!! Nice work! Now I'm starving. I better get an invite soon.
Madame Donna C. Nov 11, 2009, 1:13pm EST
David, you're welcome any time!
Digital Diva S. Nov 23, 2009, 1:06pm EST
That last photo made my mouth water.
Madame Donna C. Nov 28, 2009, 3:51pm EST
Thanks DD, then my mission is accomplished.
d g. Dec 19, 2009, 1:52pm EST
I'll have to keep an eye out for the Thai food pictures and writings. These look divine. I especially like the looks of the scallop!

Madame Donna C. Dec 25, 2009, 10:51pm EST
Thank you, d g. I did post the Thai photos too.
Risa G. Dec 26, 2009, 10:27pm EST
Wow, incredible. Looks like something from a fancy NYC restaurant. Thai food is fun to make but the ingredients can be hard to find - such as lime leaves. I can find lemongrass and at times thai basil but I can never find lime leaves. I live in the middle of nowhere and have to travel 45 minutes away to get really good chinese ingredients and some japanese but I can't get many thai ingredients. When I do see them, I buy them and make something with them.
Madame Donna C. Dec 27, 2009, 6:38pm EST
Risa, I'm fortunate to live in an area that has a plethora of ethnic markets as well as local farms with exotic crops. Amazon.com and igourmet.com do have things like jarred kaffir leaves if you must resort to using things like that. It's better than nothing.

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