Monday, August 22, 2016

FROM THE SAMBA TO THE ZUMBO!


Carmen Miranda
Croquembouche
Paris-Brest

Adriano Zumbo

To Rio I did go!  I’m still recuperating; sorely in need of sleep.

I went wild. I did the Samba, and then bam! Without much persuasion, I danced the Bamba; quickly followed by the Salsa!  What a blast! I thought I might’ve run across Barry Manilow at Copacabana, but I didn’t.  However, Lola, the showgirl, with yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there was at Copacabana. In that dress she was impossible to miss... the show-off!  

Lola, the showgirl tried to compete with me by doing her Merengue and Cha-Cha, but she didn’t dance a chance once I swung into my Carioca .  The Gold Medals were mine! My name was on all of them. 

The Silver Medals went to the Girl from Ipanema for her expertise in the Bossa Nova. After Flying Down to Rio, Carmen Miranda received the Bronze for the event in which we both competed.
  
Just before the competition fruit fell from Carmen’s flamboyant cornucopian headwear. She slipped on a banana.  If she’d not sprained her ankle I‘ve no doubt she would’ve won the Gold.  

That Night in Rio was fantastic. Carmen, The Lady in the Tutti Fruit Hat was in fine form – Chica Chica Boom Chic! (I guess it’s only we of enduring vintage who have a clue to what I’m talking about)! 

To clarify...I enjoyed watching the Rio Olympics; the ups; the downs. I ignored any curtains of negativity that some felt the need to draw \across Rio and The Games.  

Good on you, Rio!

And watch The Games, I did – as much as was physically possible.  I’m sorry it’s all over. So interested, intrigued and dedicated I was now it’s all over, I feel as if something is missing in my life.  

The Olympians allowed me to share many, many memorable moments in their lives.  I smiled; I laughed; I shed tears; I felt the competitors’ disappointment; empathised when mistakes were made; when hearts were broken.   I cheered for the winners and for those who didn’t cross the line first, second or third.  Other than for the cheats and the liars, I cheered for them all.  

I enjoyed the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. So many emotions were on display - joy, pride, hopeful anticipation and happiness. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if humans were like that all the time, every day; every moment of our lives?  Humans joining together in happy celebration.- joined as one; respectful of each other and the lives of others - instead of forming together in armies/groups/forces fighting, killing and maiming; instead of being controlled/motivated by hate, greed, envy and violence. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could live in happy, colourful, peaceful harmony....at all times – forever more?

I've loved watching the gymnastic events at Rio, both men and women's...but I think the best of all has been the brilliant Rhythmic Gymnastics! I sat enthralled throughout their performances. They took my breath away!  They were absolutely wonderful – fluid, skilful and graceful! So much focus is put on other events/competitors, but the talented young women who perform in the group rhythmic gymnastics are superb - stunning!

Yes...I’m sad The Olympics are over; and not embarrassed to admit to it.  I know not everyone feels as I do about The Olympics...but that’s okay...each to our own.  In this little household, between the walls of this little cabin, I’m in charge of the remote controls, the TV and my various recording devices.  (Shhh....don’t tell Remy and Shama)!

Who knows? I’m getting older – I may not be around in four years time to experience the excitement again...I made the most of the Rio Games.

Some hearts may have been fractured, but spirits weren’t. ..et deinceps sursum – onwards and upwards.

Now that the thrills at Rio have come to an end and the Samba has ceased, Zumbo has stepped into the frame. Adriano Zumbo, that is.  He’s sure to take us on a merry dance with his elaborate, decadent desserts, as will those attempting to match his prowess in the new TV show – “Zumbo’s Just Desserts”.  Aussie time, the show starts tonight.  I, for one, will be watching.. 

It has been said, often, that chef-patissier Zumbo reinvented the Croquembouche in Australia during Season One of “MasterChef” in 2009.  However, I was introduced to the spectacular Croquembouche a few years prior – back in 1975 when I worked part-time at night in Brisbane’s French-style restaurant - “Scaramouche”.  And a great restaurant it was.  “Scaramouche”, from its opening in 1975, soon became one of Brisbane’s most popular restaurants, if not the most popular.

Many of the delicious, decadent desserts presented at the restaurant were prepared by the patissiers at “The Eiffel Tower”; a French patissiere in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. 

The towering creation, the Croquembouche, was a popular item on the dessert menu, as was Paris-Brest, another indecently, delicious French choux pastry and a praline-flavoured cream dessert.

The only time I’ve made a Croquembouche was when I cooked at Gympie’s Gunabul Restaurant-Function House in the late 90s-early 2000s – before I moved here to Tamborine Mountain. 

A friend from long ago – from my childhood and teenage years (we’d grown up living around the corner from each other) - asked me if I’d make one of the fanciful high-rise structures as a special treat for her son. Said son was heading off to study at Oxford University (steering clear of Inspector Morse while there).

His mother, my friend, was hosting a special bon voyage dinner for her Oxford-bound son. She wanted a Croquembouche to be the evening’s main event - apart from her son.

Once I took some smelling salts to recover from the shock, I stood up to the challenge.

Fortunately, my Croquembouche remained upright, too; until, that is, the zealous, delighted diners attacked the crème patissiere-filled profiteroles all bound with spun threads of caramel/toffee! 

The things one does for friends; and the enjoyment gained therefrom - even if accompanied by a few whispered-to-self-out-of-earshot mumbles!   I guess that’s what friends are for.....

Corn Salsa: Brush 2 corn cobs with x-virgin olive oil; barbecue on low to med-heat, 20-30mins. Cut off kernels; mix with 1tbs x-virgin olive oil, juice of 1 lime, a large handful of coriander; finish off with 75-100g crumbled feta cheese.

Grape Salsa: Chop 2c red, seedless grapes; cut 1 small Roma tomato into small chunks. Mix together with 2 diagonally sliced 2 shallots, 1/3c chopped red onion, 1tbs red wine vinegar and pinch of salt.  Add chopped coriander, if desired. Chill before serving.

Spicy Banana Salsa: Combine 1 large red capsicum, chopped, 1 seeded, finely chopped jalapeño, 4 shallots, chopped, 1 eschallot, finely chopped, 1tbs fresh ginger, grated, 1tbs brown sugar and 2tsp olive oil in bowl. Chop 2 firm bananas into bite-sized pieces. Place in a separate bowl. Pour lime juice over bananas; toss to coat. Add bananas to rest of ingredients; season to taste; serve within an hour with corn chips.

Caramel Banana Meringue Pie (not Merengue, the dance); Pre-heat oven 200C. In pan, heat 2tbs brown sugar until it begins to bubble; add 2 medium ripe bananas, chopped; stir until well coated. Divide between 4 small ramekins. Custard: Heat 4tbs white sugar in a heavy-bottomed small pan until it melts and turns golden. Add most of 300ml milk; stir over low heat to dissolve the caramel.  Mix 2 egg yolk (reserve whites), 1tsp vanilla and 2tsp cornflour with the remaining milk; add to the caramelised milk. Heat gently until thickened; then spoon over bananas in ramekins. Set aside. Meringue; beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add 3tbs caster sugar, one spoonful at a time. Beat until meringue is thick and glossy. Gently add 2tbs finely chopped walnuts (optional).  Spoon over custard layer; spread well. Bake 15mins until golden.  Enjoy hot or cold. It’ll dance on your tongue!  



26 comments:

  1. Rhythmic gymnastics; there's something I could watch for more than a few minutes and the ice skating dancing of the winter olympics.
    I've been seeing that teetering croquembouche on the tv ads, every time I hold my breath hoping it doesn't fall

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    1. I like both the Summer and Winter Olympics, River.

      I love watching people try their best...putting their heart and soul into what they love to do...win or lose...whether it be in sports or other fields. Along with so many other disciplines, I did watch a lot of the rhythmic gymnastics...it was superb.

      I'm now suffering from POD....post-Olympics depression! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. What a fun post.
    Those recipes are making me weak in the knees.
    And we plan on you being around in four years.
    :)

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed my bit of fun, Sandra. I'm already in training to ensure I'm still around to appear at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020! I'll be taking no prisoners...but all medals!! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. Am I the only person who missed the Olympics?

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    1. Probably not, RK.

      I had the time to watch as much as I possibly could. So I made the most of them. I wanted to watch the Olympics.

      I've always enjoyed and tried to watch as much of them as I could, but, of course, when I was working I didn't get the chance to fulfill my want. I'm now among the retired set (not the latte set) so my time is my own to do with how I like...and I do.

      I know not everyone likes the Olympics...that's okay...but I do. I enjoy very much seeing people giving it their all...trying to achieve the best of themselves that is physically and mentally possible...in all fields, not only sports. It sure beats watching and hearing about people killing and maiming each other etc., etc.

      Thanks for coming by. I hope all is well. :)

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  4. So glad you enjoyed the games. Have a productive relaxing evening....or maybe day:)

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    1. It is 10.30 am Friday as I write this response, Sandra. I've already been out to do some shopping and put air in my car tyres. Now I can relax! :)

      Thanks for coming by again. :)

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  5. I watched more of the Olympics that usual this time - I loved every minute.

    And those sweet treats look divine!

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    1. Hi Lynn...yes, The Games were far more pleasant to watch then the daily news. I enjoyed them very much.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. Seems you enjoyed watching the games. Normally I do when home, travelling it's different.
    Hope you are well.
    From Bowen.

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    1. I certainly did, Margaret! I see you're in Bowen...I love the beaches around Bowen...and started writing another post about them the other day for future posting. I like Bowen, too. To me, it still remains a couple of decades "behind"...and I think that's great.

      Thanks for coming in...all is well with me, thanks...I hope the same applies to you. :)

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  7. I have just been on the phone to the IOC and I am pleased to inform you that, rather belatedly, you have secured a gold medal for Australia in The TV Olympics Sofa Sprawl Marathon! Well done Lee! I can only marvel at your endurance and determination. The silver went to a Chinese insomniac called Sum Ting Wong and the bronze went to a goggle-eyed German called Jack Schitt.

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    1. That's good news, Yorkie...thanks for that. I'll be standing waiting impatiently by my mailbox. Another Gold to add to my ones for my Latin American dancing! Wow!!!

      Thanks for coming by. I'm dancing in anticipation! :)

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  8. You've got to be kidding me. I merely bent over last week to put my shoes on and my right hip has been killing me ever since.

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    1. Hey Dana...I know the feeling! I'm allowed to keep dancing in my mind, though, even if the body says "Stop! No More!"

      Thanks for waltzing by. :)

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    2. *snap* an hour ago I bent over to pick up cat fluff from the floor and now I'm in a chair with a hot water bottle against my back.

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    3. That's no good, River. I empathise with both you and Dana. Take care.

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  9. Have to admit I was away for most of the Olympics - but did enjoy catching up in various ways!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Hey there Stewart...I made up for you during your absence...while you ran around NT!

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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  10. My first Olympics since I retired and I did what I always planned on doing - watched as much as I possibly could. Set my clock to Rio time and got my sleep when nothing was happening there. Events wise that is, there's always something happening in Rio. Even planned my getaway around the games. My son was there and we set a Messaging record (it was a pairs event). I wish there were more Olympic fanatics with whom I could discuss all the wonderful things I witnessed.

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    1. You sound like how I was, Pauline. I did similar. And my time is my own now that I'm retired, too.

      I just loved the whole 15 days - from the Opening Ceremony through to the Closing Ceremony and all in between. I also believe Rio did a wonderful job.

      Like you, I got sleep when I could. And when I did sleep, I was recording the three channels that covered the events! lol

      My ex was doing similar and we talked, via phone, every day...more than once a day....as the events were happening, coming up or had been completed. We both were suffering withdrawals when the Games were over and didn't know what to do with ourselves! :) It was good to share the enjoyment, the thrills, the ups and the downs with someone who was loving the whole thing as much as I was.

      So I do understand what you're saying and how much you would've enjoyed sharing it with your son...who was there! How thrilling!

      So many people seem so blasé about the Olympics, but I wasn't. I love seeing people achieve the best that they can...I love seeing people try to achieve the best of themselves that they can.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. Oh. Festive! Though I haven't really got the chance to see it. Just read some updates online.

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    1. Well, it's all over now, Lux...until another four years when Tokyo hosts the next Games. The Rio Paralympics begin on 7th September - and the competitors in the Paralympics are inspiring...just wonderful. The human spirit and positive determination in full display.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  12. I bet the coverage for you on TV was better than what we got in the USA. Still, you sometimes have to look past the bad newscasters and look at the real heart of things. I wish I could have seen more of the Olympics, I wasn't able to this year and I missed them. x

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    1. Not being able to compare, I have no idea, Kay. However, in saying that, I believe our coverage was very good. Three channels belonging to the Channel 7 network covered the Games, so we didn't miss out of much, if anything. I didn't miss out on much...I was recording and watching...watching and recording. I planned to make the most of the Olympics...and I believe I did! lol

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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