29. Post 40 online reviews (Part 2)

I've posted three more reviews since the last time I posted about doing online reviews (September 2016).

Matheus and I did a cheese-making course which was a present from his siblings but they'd bought it for two people. We chose to go to the Bishop's Stortford class as it was the nearest. Once there, we learnt how to make ricotta, mozzarella, paneer, cream cheese and goats cheese. There were other couples in the class as well. I made the goats cheese and Matheus made the cream cheese. We had to make soft cheeses because hard cheeses take too long to make and mature. We also got to make focaccia bread with rosemary and tomatoes to eat with the cheese at the end.

We really enjoyed the class and we were asked at the end to do a review if we didn't mind. I'd never really thought of posting reviews of courses online but I thought I would.

Read my review here (sorry didn't take any photos). 

My fourth review was of another course which I received as a present from my birthday from Matheus' parents - CHOCOLATE MAKING! I only just got around to doing the course at the beginning of this month. I was so looking forward to learning how to make truffles and was hoping they would show us how to temper chocolate as well. Unfortunately, there was no tempering involved but the truffle-making was so easy. There was no spoon-licking allowed in this class! This was a very strict rule. It felt like such a waste wiping it on kitchen towels!!! First we had to make a slab similar to Hotel Chocolat but make a shape - the most original would have won a prize. Then we made our truffles. I wish I'd used more fudge to bulk them out but they tasted good anyway. The review can be found here.

My Star Slab

My truffles

We actually have people coming around for tea tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) so I've made these bad boys!

Truffles for tomorrow
Top Row - Dark Chocolate, Rose Water and Raspberry
2nd Row - Dark Chocolate, Peppermint & Mint Chips
3rd Row - Dark Choc, Orange, Popping Candy & White Choc Drizzle
Bottom Row - Milk Chocolate with Dark & White Drizzle

Anyway, back to the reviews. The following weekend we went to York (finally). It was almost as I remembered it as a kid. It was so much fun going to all the same places again and new places as an adult. We had pre-booked a lovely looking bistro before the weekend, which overlooks York Minster. The meal was exceptional. Due to my food issues they were really supportive and couldn't do enough for me. I like this restaurant so much that I'm making sure to come here with my work colleague the night before our York Hospital visit! You can read my review here.

Upon writing these reviews I obtained three more badges. One of these is the "Senior Reviewer" because I've posted five reviews. Once I've done 10 reviews I'll be a Contributor, 20 and I'll be a Senior Contributor and 50 will make me a Top Contributor. I guess I'll have to carry on after 40 then.