Hidden cost
I went clothes shopping the other day and remembered why I dislike it so much. Nothing ever seems to fit me properly. It will be just right in one spot, but too big in another and too small somewhere else. Jeans, for example, are always too long. Whenever I go shopping, I have to base my decisions on the true cost of any item of clothing, which is usually the inflated price tag plus the hidden cost of getting it altered.
So I was standing in the change room, weighing up the benefits of a Little Joe top I had fallen in love with which was too big in the shoulder area, and it occured to me that I also experience similar hidden costs at work and in life. Unfortunately, there is no price tag you can place on the value of working a specific job or making a significant decision in life. How then will you know if you can afford these costs? At what point will you be able to recognise that the costs are starting to outweigh the benefits? When is it time to put the job back on the rack and try something else?
Maybe for me, clothes shopping is like life. I’m not particularly adept at it. I stumble along, managing to be vaguely presentable and every now and then, meet people along the way who I ‘fit’ with.
This dessert is inspired by Jordan Khan and the classic flavours of lemon meringue pie. The frozen liquid sable recipe is from Under Pressure by Thomas Keller. It is sandy, like normal baked sable, and melts luxuriously on the tongue. Because it is liquidised, it is capable of being frozen and twisted or cut into unusual shapes. My original twists of sable looked slightly more impressive than the picture, but it started to wilt a little as I spent too much time trying to get a decent shot. I might take more pictures next weekend when I have the time, and will include them in this post. This dessert is for Dan, who I believe as a friend, doesn’t have any hidden costs.
And for the record, I didn’t get the Little Joe top.
Tags: elderflower, lemon, meringue, plated dessert, sable, vanilla, yuzu
clumbsycookie said,
June 1, 2009 @ 12:26 am
I always have the same problem with jeans, always too long! I’ve been dying to try that liquid sable recipe, I think you’ve used it beautifully. This dessert looks so fresh! And this comment also comes without hidden costs, ;)! Take care.
linda said,
June 1, 2009 @ 12:58 am
Would love to have a taste of this symphony!
Manggy said,
June 1, 2009 @ 1:16 am
I hope this analogy doesn’t carry on to you disliking life! O_o If the clothes shopping analogy applied to me, then my life is a series of me not being decisive on an opportunity then suddenly missing it when I decide I want it. Kidding! (Half-.)
I think the frozen liquid sable is lovely, I couldn’t even tell it was wilting 🙂 Again another impressive plating! 🙂
Cakelaw said,
June 1, 2009 @ 8:08 am
I know what you mean – I am lucky with clothes because I seem to fit into some box that they have, but the whole life/job thing – it is much harder, and I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect fit. A very elegant dessert – lucky Dan.
Steph said,
June 1, 2009 @ 8:38 am
I have that exact problem with jeans. I usually have to cut a metre off the ends of them, so I can never justify buying really expensive jeans because I’ll have to hack half of them off anyway! Anyways, you always manage to put together such a great combination of textures and flavours, I particularly love the look of the translucent jelly in that photo, so pretty!
shez said,
June 1, 2009 @ 9:46 am
that toasted meringuey smear on the plate and the dots of yuzu curd have made my morning brighter to no end 🙂
(and oh! i haven’t shopped in the longest time. too many people! too many maybe-if-i-put-a-button-here-oh-no… moments!)
Hilda said,
June 1, 2009 @ 10:36 am
I think I’m just like you at life, except for the vaguely presentable part, I think usually I’m probably not presentable at all. I didn’t know the jelly was elderflower! (I didn’t mention to you that I have been having a bit of an obsession with using elderflower as an ingredient in desserts lately, elderflower ice cream/sorbet, elderflower financiers, elderflower custard, etc…) Like I said, I think it’s pretty awesome for a first go and awesome plating.
Simon Food Favourites said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:34 am
that dessert looks great. did you make it?
s 🙂
Megan {Feasting on Art} said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:41 am
I am not very good at shopping either (only good a grocery shopping). The dessert is so beautiful, Dan is a pretty lucky guy!
anna said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:46 am
Haha, I only own one pair of jeans and I have to wear them cuffed! That’s one reason I normally wear skirts…
This looks lovely, especially that little blob of shiny jelly! I love your deconstructed desserts!
Arwen from Hoglet K said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:46 am
Hopefully life isn’t too much like shopping. I’d like to think there are unexpected benefits as well as costs, like your friend for instance.
Did you make the jelly from elderflowers, or did you have a concentrate?
the caked crusader said,
June 1, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Your recipes are getting more stunning – I didn’t think it was possible! This looks like a work of art
Y said,
June 1, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
clumbsycookie : Thank you for your free comment 😉 The sable recipe is definitely worth trying.
Linda : Yes it’s too bad the Internet isn’t more advanced, isn’t it! 😀
Manggy : Certainly not, though now I’m thinking that I really should get you to proof read/edit my posts before I publish them.
shez : “Too many people” is often an issue for me too. Funny though.. I thought most people DID like shopping, and that I was in the minority!
Hilda : Didn’t realise you had an elderflower fetish. I like all those things you listed. You should throw an elderflower teaparty.
Simon Food Favourites : Yup.
anna : I love skirts, but jeans are just so much more .. free-ing. Mine are all cuffed too. Honestly not my preferred look though.
Arwen from Hoglet K : I used a concentrate but would like to try using the fresh flowers one day.
the caked crusader : Thanks 🙂
Vanille said,
June 1, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
Have the same problem with cloth shopping ;( …
I like the way how you play with taste and textures…
Howard said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
I have the same issue with clothing, they all fit but as a guy I’m too short for the tagged size. I miss out on what I want every Winter when searching for a nice coat or jacket. I’d put it off hoping there would be a sale or something better, but I would always hold off too long. At times my life has been like that, missing that opportunity at that moment. I’ll need to adjust my clothes shopping instincts and maybe everything else will fall into place!
The frozen liquid sable looks interesting, like frozen peanut butter but I’m sure it is ALOT more complex than that 😉
FFichiban said,
June 1, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
Oh wow that is deep… I say go shopping overseasss!! So much easier and they have better prices and designs too.
Beautiful composition ^^!
helen said,
June 2, 2009 @ 6:52 am
I think we’re all pretty instinctive, and when something doesn’t fit, be it a piece of clothing, a decision or a person, one feels it right away. Eventually it stretches thin and wears down on both sides.
And remember: Life is short. Eat dessert first.
Caitlin said,
June 2, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I am 100% with you on hidden costs, especially in clothing. For me, pants are never long enough, shirt sleeves never long enough (I was gifted with monkey arms thanks to my father), and shoulders that aren’t wide enough (thanks again, dad). But hidden costs are there with my job too – is my joy in it worth not being in the same city as my boyfriend? Are the stresses of it worth it when you add in those factors? One thing that is always worth it though is baking; it’s become a communal thing, thanks to my little blogging obsession. Sorry for the long comment, but I just want you to know – thank you. Sometimes, reflecting is a very good thing.
mallory elise said,
June 2, 2009 @ 10:41 am
ooooh que linda 🙂
i have oposite problem with panrs. they’re always too short.
cakebrain said,
June 2, 2009 @ 4:39 pm
your lovely looking dessert looks simply too beautiful to eat almost!
Shellyfish said,
June 2, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
So true, about the clothes, and about people, too. I also feel like there are moments in my life where the fits are better – with both.
You’re such an artist – it all looks like it may be too beautiful to eat, really. I would try, though.
the projectivist said,
June 2, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
jeepers!
somebody tell me where all these long jeans are??!?!
i can NEVER find jeans long enough.
Louise said,
June 2, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
I too get stressed when going shopping. I don’t even like to go food shopping.
Stressed spelled backwards equals desserts. I’ll take some of that lovely frozen liquid sable; Please:) Simply elegant!
Mochene said,
June 3, 2009 @ 1:33 am
“How then will you know if you can afford these costs? At what point will you be able to recognise that the costs are starting to outweigh the benefits? When is it time to put the job back on the rack and try something else”
This is very applicable to me right at this moment. Funny how what you need comes to you the way and the time that it does.
Thanks!
Tartelette said,
June 3, 2009 @ 3:36 am
I don’t know wht I like best: the plating or the flavors….both are outstanding!
I think a lot of us do relate to your analogy….May I add that I think pants and skirts in the US are built for 6 feet tall amazon women.
Aran said,
June 3, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Y, I know that this must taste delicious but aside from that, the light in this photo is superb. Love it!
Betty said,
June 3, 2009 @ 11:45 am
The dessert looks beautiful. I like your analogy. I think we’re all just trying to find the perfect fit, and I guess we’re more thankful when the right fit does come along!
Forager said,
June 3, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Was it wilting? Didn’t notice. Too busy thinking about how this would taste!
Hannah said,
June 3, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
At least you’re not alone in the clothes shopping conundrum- I can rarely find ANYTHING that can be worn as is.
I love how creative and playful this presentation is, it looks like it’s fun to eat!
lili - pikeletandpie said,
June 3, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Oh my! Just before I started my current job, my previous boss told me a story with this same ‘hidden cost’ moral, which I had forgotten about until just now.
I am in the process of making decisions that will hopefully reduce the hidden cost of my work life back into manageable proportions, but these decisions are difficult and scary and frought with danger. Really, I would just prefer to eat your desserts for a living, yes sirree.
Julia @ Mélanger said,
June 3, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Y – wow, your comment re: “when will you be able to recognise that the costs are starting to outweigh the benefits” has hit a nerve with me. Very relevant. That frequently seems to happen when I read your posts. Again, your creation is just wonderful. Visually beautiful, and I’m sure it tasted divine, too!
Anita said,
June 3, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
I have the opposite problem with jeans (I’m sure I won’t get sympathy for it). Love your presentation, design, photography, flavours… everything! You have a real talent 🙂
Christy said,
June 4, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
I think that I gave up clothes shopping for food shopping because I never have to worry if that bar of nougat is going to be too long for me, or if the shape of the cake would make me look stodgy. But I agree that there are hidden costs everywhere you care to look, and the mistake most people make is not taking them into account when they make a decision.
And that photo looks awesome, so don’t worry about it. Love how you used the meringue to support the jelly. Your plated desserts almost made me wish I work at a restaurant again!! Almost.
Sophie said,
June 4, 2009 @ 11:49 pm
I’m the same way with buying clothes, I’m quite petite so usually they’re to long for me too :). This is why I focus on just buying tons of shoes instead ;).
You always win on dessert presentation, this is a true work of art!
Vera said,
June 6, 2009 @ 3:56 am
Fantastic dessert, Y! I have a similar problem with clothes, only my jeans are always too short 🙂
Zita said,
June 6, 2009 @ 7:39 am
I wish I know your friend Dan, because living without hidden cost need a trick of it’s own.
Beautiful art as always, I too want to try the frozen sable.
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said,
June 7, 2009 @ 10:18 am
A frozen sable? Sounds intriguing! Being 155cms, buying pants or jeans always means a trip to the tailor 🙁
Jeff said,
July 9, 2015 @ 1:43 am
I know this post is ancient by internet standards so I’m not sure if you’ll see this comment, but I recently attempted the frozen liquid sable recipe from Under Pressure and try as I might, I couldn’t get it to make the beautiful twists and curls that you’ve achieved. Any tips? Did you make any modifications from the Keller recipe? Mine was either too brittle to curl, or by the time that it was slightly flexible, it was too melted to hold its shape. Any insight you’d be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.
Y said,
July 9, 2015 @ 8:51 am
Hi Jeff! Wow, yes this was such a long time ago, I only vaguely remember making it. Recipe wise, I changed some ingredients (wanted a different flavour), but the ratios were similar. Because of the high fat content, it melts pretty quickly (probably helps if you have a blast freezer). Did you shape it on acetate?
Jeff said,
July 9, 2015 @ 1:07 pm
I certainly don’t have a blast freezer, I just cook at home with a very mediocre consumer freezer. I rolled it out between parchment as per Keller – would you recommend freezing in the curled shape on acetate, then removing the acetate when it comes time to plate? That sounds like a great idea if so. Thank you!
Y said,
July 9, 2015 @ 2:52 pm
Jeff : Yes, try spreading it (not too thin, or it will be too fragile) on acetate, shaping and leaving in the freezer. I think I sticky taped the ends to keep it in the desired shape. It’s pretty hard to handle/plate if you’re doing a whole bunch of them though – they wilt quickly (that’s why I think a blast freezer would help). If you don’t end up having much success, can I suggest freezing the mix as a block, and then shaving it thinly on a mandolin (it will look like curly wood shavings. It’s a different but quite effective way of presenting this component.
Jeff said,
July 10, 2015 @ 10:10 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply – I will definitely try the acetate method, and I would have never thought of shaving sable on a madolin on my own, but that sounds like a great idea.