Cariema Isaacs visits Paris and found love in a choux pastry class where she learned a game-changing technique.
Forget the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa, because I found love in a choux pastry class in Paris!
I travelled thousands of miles to immerse myself in the art of making a chocolate éclair, and it was everything I had dreamed of and more.
In a digital age, recipes are just a click away, so finding a recipe for choux pastry, is easy. Literally at your fingertips! It’s the skill and technique I was after.
The class began with the preparation of a luscious vanilla custard filling. With just a handful of ingredients, we created a delicately flavoured masterpiece. The instructor guided us through each step, sharing the secrets of the process and the importance of using high-quality ingredients.
Speaking of quality, I’ve always been a bit of a stickler when it comes to cooking and baking. French butter has been my go-to choice, as its richness and delicate taste elevate any dish, from my omelette in the morning to my butter biscuits for Eid. In class, the instructor confirmed what I’ve believed all along - French butter, with its high fat content, truly makes a difference to your baking and cooking. However, if you can’t find French butter, Irish butter like Kerrygold is a great alternative.
Coming back to the vanilla custard filling, I learnt a technique I would never have known otherwise and now it’s a game-changer for me. After cooking the custard, it was spread out on a sheet of cling film, forming a perfect square. It’s not placed on a bowl, this way it cools quicker in the fridge and it doesn’t develop a skin on top. Covered and set aside, it would later be used to create a delectable filling for our eclairs.
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“Some days are meant to be counted, others are meant to be weighed.” - Eat, Pray, Love
Imagine stepping into a world where every day is a feast for the senses. Where counting the moments seems futile compared to the weight of the experiences that unfold before you. This was my Paris, a city that beckoned me with the promise of culinary delights.
I didn’t come to Paris to tick off the tourist attractions or wait for the Eiffel Tower to illuminate the night sky. No, my ticket to Paris embodied the essence of my own personal “Eat, Pray, Love” journey. And it was in a humble baking class that I discovered the true art of choux pastry making.
My Paris mornings were a ritual of leaving my hotel room at the crack of dawn, strolling across the street to a quaint confectionery. There, I indulged in warm, freshly baked baguettes filled with tuna, lettuce, and the juiciest tomatoes that ever graced my palate. A sprinkle of salt and pepper added the perfect touch. And as the day waned, I found myself savouring custard cream-filled éclairs that were truly worth their weight in gold.
In Paris, I devoured the city, one bite at a time. These were the days that couldn’t be measured in hours or minutes, but had to be weighed in the sheer joy and delight they brought. And in that baking class, I learned a valuable lesson - to create something truly sublime, you must fall in love with the process.
Watching the transformation of simple ingredients into a cohesive dough, which would later become one of my most cherished desserts, was a mesmerising experience. I had bought a ticket to Paris, but in reality, I had bought a ticket to a world of flavours and emotions that expanded my horizons.
I bought a ticket!
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EAT PRAY LOVE. It’s a pursuit that demands your full participation, where you fight, strive, and insist upon the joy that is rightfully yours. Sometimes, it even takes you on a whirlwind adventure around the world in search of that elusive feeling. This is the essence of the EAT PRAY LOVE philosophy, where you relentlessly manifest your own blessings.
And so, amidst the enchanting streets of Paris, the chocolate éclair baking class continued.
As the custard crème slumbered in the refrigerator, we immersed ourselves in the intricate art of crafting delicate choux pastries. The recipe itself may not have been drastically different from what we knew back home, but it was the perfect timing, technique, and use of quality ingredients that elevated our creations to new heights.
In the end, it wasn’t just about the delectable pastries we brought to life, but about the transformative journey of self-discovery and passion that unfolded in each moment. Who would have imagined that I could find myself in this remarkable place? It was a testament to years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication that led me to the travel adventure of my dreams.
Here’s the truth:
No one will come bearing gifts to enrich your life. They are too consumed with crafting their own destiny.
No one will arrive to show you the world; you must take the initiative, buy that ticket, and soar through the skies to explore the wonders that await.
And no one else can create a legacy as unique and extraordinary as yours. After all, your story is your legacy, and it’s up to you to claim it with pride.
As I reflect on my time in Paris, I realise that the secret lies in finding balance. I may have left a piece of my heart in this captivating city, but I also discovered the delicate equilibrium between counting the precious moments and savouring every experience to its fullest.
Looking back, I now understand that the greatest gift of all is finding harmony in life. Yes, you can have it all, just not all at once. Embrace the ebb and flow, and let the symphony of your journey unfold in perfect harmony.
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