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Lana Mihajlović posted an update
a year ago (edited)
Level:
Sous Chef
#BachourChallenge
Chosen recipe and course:I chose the Berries and Coconut Shortcake from Antonio Bachour’s Afternoon Tea Pastry course.
Most challenging part of the process:
Let’s just say this recipe took me on quite an adventure. It felt like the universe itself decided to test just how badly I wanted to make it. This dessert truly pushed my limits and tested my perseverance. From the very beginning, it felt like every ingredient I needed was playing a game of hide and seek.
Yuzu fruit, for example, is not available in my country. While I could have simply used lemon juice, I wanted to get as close to the original flavor as possible, so I created my own blend of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit juices to approximate Yuzu.
Some ingredients were only available in bulk, so I decided to make my own strawberry, raspberry, and coconut purées from scratch. Strawberry-flavored chocolate was also unavailable, so I replaced it with raspberry chocolate.
One of the most stressful and challenging moments came when my Coconut Diplomat cream didn’t set properly. Remaking it took some extra time and patience, but it gave me a chance to perfect the result and also brought more confidence into the process. What seemed like a setback actually became an opportunity to make it even better. The second try worked and reminded me that good pastry requires not just skill, but a bit of stubborn love. It was absolutely worth it in the end.
Due to the mild existential crisis caused by the Coconut Diplomat cream not setting the first time, I accidentally dipped the cake in the Berry chocolate coating… upside down. Let’s call it a creative twist.
This cake represents a beautiful compromise in my marriage. I’m a berry girl, he’s a coconut guy. So in a way, this dessert also tells a sweet love story.
Profile:
Amateur (with professional-level persistence and just a hint of citrus-induced madness)
Maloles Muñoz, Abdallah Albasha and 10 others16 Comments-
Level:
Scoolinary Team
🔹 1) “Amateur (with professional-level persistence and just a hint of citrus-induced madness)” – You’ve absolutely nailed the self-description! It’s that fiery mix of passion and creativity that makes this community so vibrant. 🙌✨
🔹 2) The ingredient hide-and-seek and your citrus alchemy… Honestly, it sounds like the plot of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Yuzu! 🍋🍊 Your determination and resourcefulness are simply outstanding.
🔹 3) And that “creative twist” with the upside-down dip… Well, that’s the proof that even kitchen mishaps can turn into signature moves! 🤪🎨 Sometimes, those little detours end up making the dish unforgettable.What’s the flavor or detail that surprised you the most, or made you smile the biggest by the end of this epic process? 🤔🍰
Well done, Lana! You are a better cook now already!
Level:
Scoolinary Team
🔹 1) “Amateur (with professional-level persistence and just a hint of citrus-induced madness)” – You’ve absolutely nailed the self-description! It’s that fiery mix of passion and creativity that makes this community so vibrant. 🙌✨
🔹 2) The ingredient hide-and-seek and your citrus alchemy… Honestly, it sounds like the plot of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Yuzu! 🍋🍊 Your determination and resourcefulness are simply outstanding.
🔹 3) And that “creative twist” with the upside-down dip… Well, that’s the proof that even kitchen mishaps can turn into signature moves! 🤪🎨 Sometimes, those little detours end up making the dish unforgettable.What’s the flavor or detail that surprised you the most, or made you smile the biggest by the end of this epic process? 🤔🍰
Well done, Lana! You are a better cook now already!
2a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Sous Chef
@soldamiani Thank you dear. 💞 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Yuzu… I can’t stop laughing, but honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like! All that for just 2.7 ml of Yuzu juice (measured in a rakija shot glass 😂). I bravely drank the rest, feeling like I had just sipped liquid courage.
The biggest surprise was the sponge – soft, moist, refreshing… it completely disarmed me. And I have to admit, the trick of freezing it immediately was a total game changer. I’m never “letting it cool at room temperature” again.
As for the cream… oh, it really tested me, but then stole my heart. When it finally set properly, it felt like a hug in dessert form. That moment definitely gave me the biggest smile.
Thanks again! Words like these truly mean a lot and push me forward. Spatula in hand, smile on my face. 👩🍳-
Level:
Scoolinary Team
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Level:
Sous Chef
@Sol Damiani P.S. Tonight I ordered fireworks in the neighborhood in red and pink 😂😂😂
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
@lanamihajlovic Duly noted!😂
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
What a lovely story behind this dessert, Lana! I loved how you turned every obstacle into an opportunity to learn and grow. The way you went about substituting such specific ingredients like yuzu or strawberry chocolate shows admirable creativity and determination.
Your experience with the coconut Diplomat cream is so valuable sometimes, it’s those technical setbacks that teach us the most and, as you said, help build confidence. I thought that “creative twist” with the glaze was brilliant,happy accidents are definitely part of the pastry journey!
Tell me, did you enjoy the final result with the juice blend you created to mimic yuzu? I thought that was such a clever idea, and I’d love to hear how you felt it balanced with the rest of the dessert.
Congratulations on this beautiful creation, full of heart and flavor! ❤️
Level:
Scoolinary Team
What a lovely story behind this dessert, Lana! I loved how you turned every obstacle into an opportunity to learn and grow. The way you went about substituting such specific ingredients like yuzu or strawberry chocolate shows admirable creativity and determination.
Your experience with the coconut Diplomat cream is so valuable sometimes, it’s those technical setbacks that teach us the most and, as you said, help build confidence. I thought that “creative twist” with the glaze was brilliant,happy accidents are definitely part of the pastry journey!
Tell me, did you enjoy the final result with the juice blend you created to mimic yuzu? I thought that was such a clever idea, and I’d love to hear how you felt it balanced with the rest of the dessert.
Congratulations on this beautiful creation, full of heart and flavor! ❤️
2a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Sous Chef
@Sussan Estela Olaya Thank you so much, Sussan! Your kind words truly mean a lot to me. ❤️
I must say, the whole experience felt like a pastry-themed obstacle course, but somehow, every “trip” led to a lesson.
As for the yuzu juice blend, I was genuinely surprised! I was aiming for balance, and I think the mix of lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit did a decent job of capturing that bright, floral acidity. It complemented the coconut and berries better than I expected. I even caught my husband sneaking a second slice, which, in our house, is the ultimate praise. 😄
And yes, the glaze mishap… well, let’s just say my shortcake now has character! 🙃
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Level:
Sous Chef
Fantastic. The photos are beautiful and the dessert looks delicious. I admire how you solved all the challenges you faced in making it. In the end, your resources and perseverance paid off and the dessert looks spectacular. Good job on your work
Level:
Sous Chef
Fantástico. Las fotos son preciosas y el postre se ve delicioso. Es de admirar cómo resolviste todos los desafíos que enfrentaste a la hora de elaborarlo. Al final, tus recursos y tu perseverancia dieron su fruto y el postre se ve espectacular . Buen trabajo
1a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Sous Chef
@Mercedes Delgado de Miguel Thank you so much, Mercedes! 😊 It was definitely one of those “trial by sugar” experiences… full of improvisation, sticky fingers, and a bit of wide-eyed hope. 😄
I’m really glad you liked the photos. Behind each one is a small story and a few deep breaths after redoing the cream 🙈
But yes, in the end, all the effort, tweaking, and persistence were so worth it. Especially when I saw how the final dessert came together.
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Level:
Executive Chef
I knew you would make it!!! 💪 I love your love story in the form of pie with berries and coconut; I love your stubborn persistence; and I love your craziness too. Bravo!!!
Level:
Executive Chef
Sabía que lo lograrías!!! 💪 Me encanta tu historia de amor en forma de pastel con bayas y coco; me encanta tu obstinada persistencia; y me encanta también tu locura. Bravo!!!
1a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Sous Chef
@Beatriz Torija Thank you sis ❤️ Tonight the fireworks in the neighborhood were in my honor 😂 I’m always sorry that we can’t sit down and eat together in these moments. I would like to share this cake with you. 😘
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Level:
Executive Chef
@undefined yes, to me too 🥹🥹.
Level:
Executive Chef
@undefined si, a mí también 🥹🥹
1a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Scoolinary Team
Lovely!
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Level:
Executive Chef
Oh, how many adventures these challenges give us, right? They have been very nice and you have been able to solve all those little problems that happen when it is the first time you make something and on top of that you are missing ingredients. Look, it happens to all of us and it is learning. Bravo for you! Nothing can resist you👏
Level:
Executive Chef
Ay, cuantas aventuras nos dan estos retos , verdad? Te han quedado muy bonitas y has sabido resolver todos esos problemillas que pasan cuando es la primera vez que se hace algo y encima faltan ingredientes . Mira, nos pasa a todos y es aprendizaje. Bravo por ti! Nada se te resiste👏
1a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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Level:
Sous Chef
@Maloles Muñoz Thank you so much, Maloles! ❤️
Yes, each challenge really is its own little adventure, with a few plot twists and unexpected characters. 😅
You’re absolutely right, it’s all part of the learning process, and every “uh-oh” moment turns into a valuable lesson for next time. I love how these experiences push us beyond the recipe and into real creativity.
I’m so glad we’re all in this sweet madness together. Your words truly encourage me to keep going. 🤗
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Level:
Executive Chef
@lanamihajlovic We are all going in the same direction and that helps us to move forward 😉😘😘😘.
Level:
Executive Chef
@lanamihajlovic Todos vamos en la misma dirección y eso nos ayuda a seguir adelante 😉😘😘
1a year agoTranslated from Spanish
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