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This is What I’m… Learning: French Pastry with Carol Crincoli

written by Carol Crincoli, Pure Pilates Director

This past summer I wanted to level up my baking game. I have always enjoyed baking, but shied away from fancier recipes, sticking to delicious but not necessarily image-bragging desserts. Then came Molly. Molly Wilkinson is a Texas girl, trained in France at the Le Cordon Bleu as a pastry chef in Paris, and now teaches online classes in Versailles.

I started with a low commitment – a 6-week Beginner French Pastry course that I completed 50%. I found the weekly baking schedule to be a challenge! I did however perfect my lemon curd and made an impressive tart that I decorated in raspberries.

The most useful recipe that I was introduced to was Pate a Choux, a versatile dough that can be used to make cream puffs and my favorite, savory Gougeres. Gougeres can be made ahead of time, pop in the freezer and ready to bake for unexpected company.

 

Now, I am currently enrolled in Molly’s Pastry school for the entire year!  I find the schedule less stressful since I can make one recipe per month and when I mess it up, which I do, I have a chance to try again to perfect the final product.  

I have made a french pumpkin flan that has a much different consistency than the traditional Mexican flan. It’s a bit denser, but very yummy. 

If you love to bake, I recommend that you follow Molly Wilkinson on social media. Molly shares great tips and she’s a burst of positive energy, with the greatest laugh and a super cute dog, Eliot.

Need another cookbook? I did and started taking notes in French Pastry Made Simple. It’s not too early to think of holiday gifts!

I have one recommendation for the baking item that you absolutely DON’T need but will make your life easier. Have you ever tried to stir a hot pot while trying to keep track of the temperature and failed like I have? Then you must check out this spatula for your next batch of caramel or chocolate.

“You don’t have to love cooking to cook, but you have to do more than love baking to bake. You have to bake out of love.”

-Tom Junod

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Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.