Mariana, Arianna, & Tessa – 3/21/25
Today was the first day of our Intensive Learning experience in Cultural Exploration Through Food. We explored Chinese and French culture through traditional meals such as an assortment of veggies, homemade bread, Chinese braised beef ribs, French mousse, and more.
We started the day by decorating recipe books with our names and our own unique designs, followed quickly by a brief introduction of what we would be doing. To begin our exploration of culture through food, we started by making dough for the homemade bread. Madame Bonnemaiso instructed us through how to make homemade bread using fresh ingredients, while testing us on our ability to convert grams to cups. As the bread dough rested, we started whipping the egg whites in a stand mixer, and melting chocolate for the mousse. After we folded the ingredients together for the mousse, we baked the bread with our own unique patterns carved on the top, and started on the soy sauce braised beef.
While some students were cutting and cooking the beef ribs and veggies, other students started cutting up strawberries to have alongside the mousse for later on. We washed and cut up veggies/other produce, including bok choy, mung bean sprouts, scallions, ginger and more. While the beef ribs and veggies were cooking, we added soy sauce for flavor. After cooking the veggies and beef, we prepared the cheese board, made rice and washed dishes.
Finally we all pushed tables together and gathered to eat our meal. Fan favorites were the eggs and tomatoes, bok choy, and rice! After the main course, the homemade bread, and cheese board were passed around, and promptly, devoured. For dessert everyone enjoyed the chocolate mousse and sugar-covered strawberries. We began to clean up, wash dishes and return the Field House Commons to its original form. Then, we discussed our favorite parts of the day, and what we learned!