Learning All About Chocolates from Bonnie Gordon College

Update: Bonnie Gordon College is now closed

I recently attended a media event at Bonnie Gordon College and learned a lot about chocolates.  After the event, I think I understand the difference of the wide range of chocolates that are available.  The College uses the exquisite Cacao Barry chocolate couvertures, which has a minimum of 31% cocoa butter that makes it to be higher quality product. 

Learning about Cacao Barry definitely makes us talk about chocolates in a whole new way. The location of the cocoa plantation, how the beans are chosen and the climatic conditions results in the different variation of chocolates and taste.

For example:

• Alto el sol from Peru is an aromatic, fruity and acidic chocolate.
• Oropucce from Trinidad has a strong cocoa flavour, slight fruity, flowery and winy taste.
• Madirofolo from Madagascar has a balanced, fruity, acidic and slight bitter finish.
• The chocolate from Tanzania is my favourite as it is subtle, spicy, fruity and acidulous taste. This chocolate has 75% cocoa in it.
• Chocolates from Ghana have 40.5% cocoa with a sweet milk flavour.

Cacao Barry has existed since 1842, and they cultivate cocoa beans in limited quantities from different countries without mixing them.  Cacao Barry offers Kosher certified, rare and refined flavours of cocoa through their chocolates.  Their chocolates would be fabulous in all chocolate desserts i.e. pralines, moulding, coating, pastry, biscuits, mousse, decorating, sauce, ice cream and more.  

The higher quantity of cocoa butter in the chocolates makes it fabulous to melt, mould and dip to create a beautiful thin shell that looks neat.  The non-couverture chocolates like chocolate chips keep their shape when baked and not very good to melt or work with. We can find Cacao Barry products sold at Vanilla Food, Golda's Kitchen, Baker Haven and in many other locations.

  

We were shown three different methods of tempering chocolates by the instructors at Bonnie Gordon College. Tempering the chocolate is important so it will set well when we work with it.  Check the mini video I took when the instructor at Bonnie Gordon College demonstrated this cool method of tempering chocolates.

Tempering chocolates in the microwave is an easier method of tempering by gently melting the chocolates in the microwave till it reaches 32C by placing it for 1 minute, 

then another 1 minute, 

then 30 seconds 

and in 10 seconds segments.  

We have to mix it after removing from the microwave each time.

Here is the link to the Chocolate Bonbons (alcohol free) recipe I learned at Bonnie Gordon College.  If you want to learn about a variety of ways to temper chocolates and to make hand dipped truffles and bonbons, Bonnie Gordon College will be offering day classes on March 23rd and 24th.

Bonnie Gordon College is run by Bonnie Gordon, an internationally respected cake designer.  Bonnie's approach to cakes are as a form of art and her curriculum emphasizes artisanal education that encourages students to try their own creativity.  This approach attracts many students and has created successful businesses such as We bake in heels and Cupcake Girl who started their Cake design education from Bonnie.  Bonnie in her program encourages and emphasizes the use of best, high quality and natural products.  The college offers a variety of programs such as

• The Confectionary Diploma Programme is a 16 week program that is offered throughout the year in a full time basis so students can learn the entire cake design process from scratch.  

• The Designer Cakes Certificate Programme is a full time hands on class that explores all the skills and techniques needed to create custom designed cakes.

• Bakery Essentials Certificate Programme is offered full and part time to teach baking and pastry art i.e. cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breads, quick breads, filling and ganaches.
• They also have a variety of other classes for hobbyists and home bakers.

 

670 Caledonia Road
Unit 100 M6E4V9
Toronto, Ontario
416-440-0330

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

Your chance to Win: Movie offers and Peanut Butter Cheerios kit ($50)

Look for specially-marked boxes of General Mills cereals like Lucky Charms, Cheerios and Oatmeal Crisp, Golden Grahams and others to get a ‘free movie offer’ from Cineplex®.

Starting February 3rd.  

From March 3rd to May 30th you will find a ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ General Admission to the movies at Cineplex® on these same cereal brands.

From February 3rd until May 30th you’ll find:

• ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ Child Admission when purchasing any two specially-marked treats like Betty Crocker® Dunkaroos®, Fruit Gushers® or Fruit by the Foot®
• ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ General Admission when purchasing any two specially-marked snacks such as Nature Valley® Sweet & Salty & Crunchy products.
• Free movie snacks on specially-marked boxes of Old El Paso® products including the Extra Mild, Super Tasty Dinner Kit, the Hot & Spicy Fajita Dinner kit and the Hard & Soft Taco Dinner Kits. Way to spice it up!

Once you find the unique voucher code inside the package, go to www.Cineplex.com/freemovieoffer and redeem your free movie ticket*  These offers are valid February 3rd to May 30th 2013 for show times Sunday through Thursday (inclusive) only.

*Old El Paso® free movie snacks are redeemed in theatre, not online.

Peanut Butter Cheerios

My children are big fans of peanut butter, and when I told them about the upcoming peanut butter flavoured Cheerios they became super excited :) 
After tasting it their verdict was that it tastes just like peanut butter and would have it for breakfast and snack everyday.  Peanut Butter Cheerios will be available for a limited time in stores starting March 4^th. 

We enjoy making these peanut butter cookies that does not last too long in our home.  It is easy to make these cookies within a few minutes.  

Here is what you will need to make these cookies...

2 oz butter
3 oz peanut butter

4 oz brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz flour

Mix the butter, peanut butter and sugar with a hand beater until it is mixed.  Then add the egg to the mix.  Mix the baking powder and salt with the flour and add mix it into the butter mixture. 

 

Take a teaspoonful of mixture and make a ball shape and place it in a lined baking tray 2" apart.

Lightly press the balls with a fork to make a tic-tac-toe pattern and bake in a lined baking sheet for 10 minutes in a 350F preheated oven.  Don't over bake as the cookies will burn on the bottom.  Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes then move it to a wire rack to cool down.

Offer:

Starting February 4^th Get your Peanut Butter Cheerios FREE coupon when you buy another Cheerios flavour (BananaCheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, or Chocolate Cheerios). 

During the March 16^th – 17^th weekend you can redeem the free coupon at your nearest store.

Peanut Butter Cheerios kit

Giveaway:

You may enter this Peanut Butter Cheerios kit ($50) giveaway on multiple blogs, but may only win one prize.  This giveaway is open to people in Canada until Feb 28th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

Dinosaur park 4th birthday cake

I made this cake to celebrate our dinosaur fan's birthday as he turns 4 today.

To make this cake I used...
1 box of vanilla cake made in a 9"x13" pan
1 box of chocolate cake made in a 9"x13" pan
1 container of frosting
Wilton ready to use rolled fondant
Blue, Green and Brown Wilton gel colours
Wilton buttercream icing*

I covered the cake with the rolled fondant by kneading the fondant with blue food colouring to get a marble texture I didn't knead too much. 

*Wilton buttercream icing
2 cups icing sugar sifted
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp butter flavour
2 tbsp cream

Beat the shortening and butter then add the icing sugar, butter flavour and cream to make a medium consistency icing.

To make the leaves, grass, and branches I used the Wilton tips 16, 233, 352 and 366. 

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Pillsbury crescents

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on September 18^th.  The movie is based on Deborah Moggach book The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Although the movie is G rated, it is not recommended for young children.  It is a wonderful movie for adults to watch, as we found it funny.  This comedy has genuine charm.  It is about seven cash-strapped seniors that decide to go to a resort named Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in India.  Friendship and romance blossom in the most unexpected ways, which is interesting to watch.    

Some history and information about the popular Brit pastime high tea, which is something that happens in the movie.  

Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when actually high tea or "meat tea" is traditionally part of a British dinner.  

High tea is an early evening meal that runs between 5pm and 7pm.  Later in the evening, people enjoy a lighter second meal. 

High tea was traditionally served to laborers and miners of the working class as an evening meal for when they returned home from a hard days work. The workers were served a hefty meal in the main dining area at the high table as opposed to a low table in the parlor where the afternoon tea was served. 

The middle and upper class adopted the high tea for their children to enjoy sandwiches and cakes in smaller portions rather than heavy meals.  Eventually the parents took on the early meal for themselves, making the tradition common in all families across England.

I made these delicious Pillsbury chocolate crescents treats that are wonderful to serve for breakfast, snack or at high tea :)  This new product from Pillsbury is available in grocery stores for less than $3.  I had some trouble opening the container, even though I read the instructions a few times :) so I wish they make it a little bit more easier to open.

All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First