Tartelette

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Berry Pavlovas: Crunchy Colorful Sweet Birthday Bites
2008-07-27 07:35:00
Today is B's birthday and while in the middle of cleaning the house, preparing a little get together for him and speed training a puppy, I realised that I always wish my parents a happy birthday or mother's day, father's day, etc...on this blog but I rarely wish B. a happy birthday. Without wanting to make a big deal about it, I think he is a big deal, but a crunchy, colorful and sweet one.He is very instrumental to my being here doing the things I do and sharing things with you. He happily ventures his spoon in dishes and desserts I set out in front of him. He knows to always take his cell phone with him while running an errand for me at the grocery store. He has quickly come up with associations to remember who is so and so that I keep talking about, and stopped asking me if I have the hiccups when I giggle at the screen chatting online at night. He looks forward to other bloggers' visits as he has an excuse to use all the attachments on the vacuum cleaner (he is so going to y...
More About: Berry , Sweet , Colorful , Birthday

Cracked Pepper, Mint and Strawberry Macarons - And Tartelette Goes To Japan
2008-07-24 08:29:00
Update: I am not going to Japan ...I just went there virtually through a magazine article. Sorry for the confusion.Long title I know....for the macaron story stay right here and scroll down to see how I got to Japan without leaving my couch!When Chris was preparing her weekend trip here she mentioned that she wanted me to teach her how to make macarons. You know me and the little sweet suckers, I already have the spatula in my hand before you can twist my arm. I also had about 2 cups worth of already separated egg whites (long story, does not involve the puppy), so I decided to get a head start and try to re-create one of my favorite restaurant desserts in a macaron form.I have always been surprised that the small town my parents live in is surrounded by a handful of amazing small restaurants. Great creativity, impeccable service, freshest of freshest ingredients. There was one in particular that was highly recommended for special occasions because of its amazing location and "nouvel...
More About: Strawberry , Pepper , Mint , Cracked

Cassata Alian Sicilian - Baking With Friends
2008-07-22 07:35:00
As promised, here is one of the desserts Chris and I tackled while she was visiting this past weekend, a Cassata Cake, as part of another Bakenista get together. I have to admit that I would have probably passed on this Bakenista shing-ding if Chris had not been in my kitchen. Not much time left for "fun baking-just because" these days and not much room left in the fridge for a big cake like this. We had not really planned to bake that early together again but it looks like the folks at King Arthur got word of our little Skype chats and got interested to check out how we were baking live while spread across the US. Halley, from the King Arthur Test Kitchens blended right in and seemed to enjoy the experience, and it seems that we were all trying to be on our best behaviour!!From my end, the experience was even better since I had another Bakenista in the kitchen and Italian to boot...how fitting when making an Italian classic, isn't it?! I hope that Chris posts her step by step pict...
More About: Baking , Friends

A Favorite From The Archives
2008-07-21 18:06:00
Not that I like to dwell on the past, but after the baking whirlwind weekend I spent with Chris when she came to visit, I thought that a favorite from the archives might help me recover while I go through all the goodies she brought me (I got spoiled) and edit the pics of our baking ventures. I won't post them all at once because it'd give you a headache!! I got to say, baking a multi layer cake with her was a tag team without word, priceless. More on that tomorrow...In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this favorite of mine : Lemon Rhubarb Mousse Cake.
More About: Archives , Favorite

Plum And Ricotta Semolina Gratins
2008-07-18 21:39:00
I have been stuck trying to write this post for a couple of days. I am torn folks....I feel like a bad blogger. I don't want to bore you with book details but it explains a lot of my postings on this site. A lot of you have emailed wanting to have "book updates" and if you are not inclined to read about that topic, skip to today's recipe otherwise, proceed.Some people have emailed with either requests to add one of their recipes in the book or giving me a recipe they think "I might be interested in", and I made me feel compelled to give a couple of details about this topic. Part of writing a book starts with writing a lengthy and detailed proposal in which everything that will be inside (and outside) the book is pretty much spelled out, recipes included. I had to give a detailed list of recipes, chapters, etc.. to my publisher who actually led me slide by with 80 provided I end up with 100. So what do a blog, a book and 100 recipes have in common? Well, the answer would be "everyt...
More About: Semolina , Plum , Ricotta

Maple Cardamon Mousse And Strawberry Tartelettes
2008-07-16 07:51:00
I realised the other day that I have been turning the oven on late in the evening lately. The heat is not conducive to "wanting" to bake, nor is the rain that makes me crave soft and cold flavors. Airy mousses and creamy puddings, clouds of meringue and pools of creme anglaise...ice creams, let's not forget ice creams, one of my weaknesses. So when Old Chef asked me if I could come up with a couple of items for a private dinner for a client on Thursday, I cringed...Well, just a little, because I like him, I like the clients and let's face it, you don't need to twist my arm when it comes to baking! One of the requests they had was to have berries....lots of berries....beside a cold berry soup that I will tell you more about next week, I thought I would combine my ongoing love affair for mousses with fresh strawberries in individual tartlets.Back in May, I told you about our friend M. who had just been diagnosed with cancer. She underwent surgery a couple of weeks ago and is now ba...
More About: Strawberry , Maple

Berries And Cream - My Little Bastille Day
2008-07-14 07:40:00
Allright before I get on to this dessert and explain this post title, I guess I should answer the question "So....who won the giveaway?". First off, I need to tell you that I surely did not expect such an incredible turnout...Wow! Ya'll love cookies!! At the time of the drawing after midnight 478 had stopped by! I almost fell off my chair! I am sorry I only have one cookie cutter to offer as a prize and because of that I have decided to draw a second winner for a cookbook I went to pick up at my favourite antique books shop. It is called "Tested By Time - A Collection of Charleston Recipe", and I am sure it will find a good home among one of you.I have read and jotted down everybody's name with an appropriate number attached to it because there were a few duplicates in the comment box and I wanted to be absolutely fair. So.... "a." is the lucky recipient of the Brigitte-Keks cookie cutter and Kim from My Plate, My World will receive the cookbook. If you both can contact me with yo...
More About: Berries , Cream

Prize Winning Shortbread Cookies - A Giveaway
2008-07-11 06:03:00
Before you think that this "book thing" is knocking me silly on zee head that I should post "just" about shortbread cookies, I want to tell you about the little gadget that makes cookies a lot more fun....and your chance to WIN IT !!!One of my little pleasures is to read French blogs, for the recipes as much as keeping in touch with food trends there and more importantly what is the cool slang to use these days. One late (late) night I was reading away I stumbled on a post (can't remember where, sorry) about this ubber cool toy: the Brigitte-Keks, to imprint on Petit Beurre like cookies.Allright I have lost you...all that French, English and German in one. Petit Beurre are the simplest most traditional all butter cookie you will find in France. The Brigitte -Keks is one smart cutter that not only will cut to almost the exact shape as a Petit Beurre but will also imprint words like these: WIN ME !!So there I was....wishing away I could get my hands on one of those. A couple of days ...
More About: Cookies , Winning

Blueberry Swirl Vanilla Ice Cream
2008-07-09 05:02:00
Usually, when I get up first in the morning, I turn the coffee machine on, put a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster and hop right back into bed. Takes us an extra 10-15 minutes before we are fully awake during which we might tell a joke, talk about our schedules, etc....normal. Except the other day... B. opened up one eye and sleepily said "what the heck is that noise? What is wrong with this coffee maker?". I had to fess up "That's not the coffee, that's the ice cream maker!". He had this look, a perfect mix of fear that I had blown a fuse this early in the morning and of giddy happiness that he might have ice cream for breakfast. "At 6 o'clock in the morning? What got into you?!!""Nothing! That's work!". He straighten out on the bed and gave me a huge smile "Oh! Then I love it when you go to work!"... Add the dog to the mix who does not miss an opportunity to lick whatever edible falls on his snout and you have a pretty good morning. Don't be fooled though, I usually hi...
More About: Ice Cream , Vanilla Ice , Cream , Vanilla

The Petit Suisse Experiments: Two Expats And One Craving
2008-07-07 00:15:00
Not quite Petit Suisse...more like fromage blanc...a recipe in progress. Read the rest to find out.One thing that every European expatriate residing in the States will tell you is that dairy products are different. Let's take France for example since it is my home country: cottage cheese? Ugh...no not that present. Sour cream? Ugh...no again, we have "creme fraiche" which no matter how hard you try to convince me it is "like" sour cream....it ain't. Yogurts are different too, some are even so creamy we call them "cremes bulgare". Finally you have my two favorites, fromage blanc and petit suisse. You can find fromage blanc and creme fraiche pretty easily nowadays at health food store like Whole Foods but they cost a pretty penny for what they are. I make my own creme fraiche if I really crave it (recipe below), not to mention that the odds were against me trying to take the easy route, the store was out of it, but I have not tried my hand at fromage blanc....yet!When expats get tog...
More About: Experiments

Coconut Cake And Cream Cheese Buttercream
2008-07-05 04:19:00
First of all, let me start by saying that your comments and emails about the book were a wonderful balm for the soul. Ya'll rock! It won't be for a while that you'll be able to put it on your shelves but I will make sure to keep the whole journey somewhat interactive. I am sure that in a couple of months, I will need some recipe testers....for the 3rd or 4th time I verify everything works.Now, I hope you all had a great 4th of July with fireworks a plenty and good times with family and friends. We decided to gather the neighborhood at the dock and make a day of it. We caught crabs, grilled, took rides on the boat, and throughout the day we came and went as we pleased, refilling on sunscreen or beverages. I got to tell you, finishing with the fireworks over the water was quite a snapshot to engrave in one's memory! B. made the joke that I should savour the moment since I won't be having any of that next week for Bastille Day...ah yes...well, I am here now. And happy. And licking...
More About: Coconut , Cake , Cheese , Cream

Recipes And Stories Unblogged
2008-07-03 04:32:00
Me, holding the papers and my pen: Are you in? Things are about to get a little weird-er.Him, looking over the contract one last time: Yes, I am in.Me: allright...there I sign...Him: ugh...does this mean you are going to be baking even more desserts? Will I still get to eat them?Me: yes, but now there might be a scoring card attached to them!!The picture above sort of speaks for itself and I admit that I already told a hand full of you because 1/ I could not hold it anymore and 2/ if you write me the "what are you up to?" email, I can't possibly say "nothing" and post that a couple of weeks ago I signed my name at the bottom of a publishing contract for a cookbook.Yep...100 recipes, 100 stories and 100 reasons to get you baking! 100 recipes (metric and US) never blogged about, well, except for a hand full that I have already posted but wanted to work on, specials created for work, desserts I came up with while working on others for the blog, wonderful recipes inherited from my gran...
More About: Recipes , Stories

DMBLGIT June 2008 - And The Winners Are....
2008-07-01 04:02:00
166 entries! Yep...ya'll now how to make my head spin and my mailbox go wild!! Only one entry lost into the depths of this vast galaxy in early June and just added to the gallery....I'd say it was a success.Before I give you the results of this June Edition I want to thank Andrew for trusting me with hosting DMBLGIT. When I started blogging I would have never thought I would win some of these coveted badges, let alone host this super cool and super popular event...but I did we did: Jen, Graeme, Nadia and Alyson and I would like to thank all the participants and congratulate the winners!Allright....So...Humhum...Overall Winners : They have the highest scores in all three categories combined.First Place: Wrightfood - Halibut, saffron-mussel liquor velouté, fava beans, watercress and fresh peas.Second Place: Cookbook Catchall - Tapioca puddingThird Place: 1x umruehren bitte aka kochtopf - Pain abricot pistache Each picture was scored in three categories: edibility, originality, and ae...
More About: June 2008 , 2008

Nutella or Blackberry or Quince or Loquat Danish Braid With The Daring Bake
2008-06-29 04:22:00
You know by the title of this post that there is a story coming up don't you? Well, this time I have got to thank Kelly and Ben, our Daring Bakers' hosts this month for our house producing and eating danish braids and various other danishes all month long....for real. Not that I made a big batch of it and ate it throughout the month. No...to easy....I sat down yesterday actually counting the times I had made the recipe they provided for June: 1 full batch and 3 half batches. Hmmm...how did that happen?Quickly after they posted the recipe inspired by Sherry Yard, The Secrets Of Baking, my mother-in-law was hosting her garden club and since I usually provide these ladies with some sort of baked goods, I thought of doing a half batch of the braid. Then a few days later, my Bakenistas and I met on Skype on Sunday morning and made a full batch. I had worked an overnight at the restaurant and I had started the dough there on my break. I arrived right on time to meet up with Lisa, Ivonne...
More About: Blackberry , Danish , Nutella

Mascarpone Raspberry Gratins
2008-06-27 04:12:00
I always seem to have a story don't I? Well, bloggers are like that...they like stories: to read, to tell, to share and to write about. Somehow there is always a story behind the desserts I make , sometimes it is a long drawn explanation and sometimes something that popped in my head while experiencing one of those stories. Today is no exception...these gratins almost did not happen. Glad they did in the end though because they were mighty good.Let's see...it all started last night when B's mom called and asked if I wanted to go blueberry picking with her in the morning...at the crack of dawn to avoid the heat. Yes, yes, yes....provided there are a few coffee stops along the way please....Then she threw raspberries in the mix so I jumped fell out of bed! There are a few things that make my heart skip on a hot June morning (well, B. is one of them, of course) and among my favorites are berries, stone fruits and spending a few hours with my mother in law and her stories of my husba...
More About: Raspberry

Butterhorn Garlic Knots
2008-06-25 05:22:00
Last month I posted about a Gruyere stuffed loaf that I had baked during a live Skype baking session with a bunch of flour obsessed gals and gents. We did not intend to make it a monthly thing, we are not even a baking group, Lord knows we are all super busy with, work, life, blogging, etc...We just decided to take one morning here and there to bake in our comfies and just let our mouths get a little loose and our minds in the gutter and I somehow get blamed for this each time (wink wink I also teach them how to type in Helenese but that is for another post). Ok, I'll admit that last time I did say out loud that the loaves looked like female genitals or breasts implants gone wrong. This time I am glad to report that I passed on the baton to Kelly who formed little turdy things with little funny things sticking out.We had not really planned to get together again so soon but then Lisa started to email us with visions of garlic rolls she recently had at a restaurant and you know that ...
More About: Garlic

Plum And Rosemary Sugar Tartelettes
2008-06-23 01:11:00
Dodging the thunderstorms...that is all we have been doing this weekend. No, this is all we have been doing this past week and looking at the forecast, it looks like it will be our activity this week. Yeah!! Why does that make me happy? Free water ya'll, free water!See, when my uncle and aunt were visiting, we got into talking about solar electricity, recycling water, growing more foods and herbs ourselves etc... They were you adults in the 60s and 70s and so was my husband...me? still in diapers but as one who uses water a lot (lots of dishes to wash!), waters herbs and greens on a daily basis, I really took to their conversations. A couple of days after they left, B. stumbled upon a huge empty container on a construction site and after a thorough washing, gutter diversion and pump installation, we can now recycle the rain to water our yard and our little herb and veggie garden!Why water the yard if we get rained on as much? Well, it is still very hot and sunny during the day and ...
More About: Sugar , Plum , Rosemary

Mojito Jelly-O
2008-06-20 13:07:00
Him: what are you making?Me: Gelee de MojitoHim: translation?Me: I don't know, kind of like Mojito jello but not the packet thingieHim: then why don't you call it that ?Me: be glad I did not call it "aspic"Him: sounds like it could hurtMe: not funny, I did not write the culinary language of my country, allright?!Him: so what is this...really...?Me: how about Mojito Jelly -O ?!Almost every weekend we gather with the neighbors outside by the creek. Rain or shine, hot or cold. Same backyard all those years...don't know how that happened, it just did. One Saturday evening three years ago, we were all chatting outside when I said "I'd better go check on my cake", C. said "I'd better go check on the chili" and J. said "I think the boy is bringing oysters"....and the rest is history: the men set out a long wood plank on saw horses outside and we all brought down what was in the oven or on the stove that evening and shared, grown up beverages and good laughs included.We can't always ge...

Cherry - Orange Blossom Cakes
2008-06-17 23:54:00
More cherries! I went to visit an old friend this weekend and at the end of our visit, she handed me a bucket and pointed at the cherry tree we could see from her living room window "Go headed...Go get them. They are delicious". Her husband tends their vegetable garden and it is always a treat to visit them as I am fed fresh tomato sandwiches, cucumber salads and tiny yellow "mirabelles" for the few hours that I am there. I rarely come home empty handed either.We come from different cultures and yet share many things, we are also quite apart in age but I found Beverly to be a child at heart, one who wished she was not limited to her house right now, one little girl aching to run in the fields and drink icy cold lemonade. Her husband and her are a example of love and understanding, passed the illness, the tantrums, the tough nights. Otis cries sometimes when I am there, quietly, while filling his bucket of water for the herb garden. They have been through this twice already, and Beve...
More About: Orange , Cakes , Cherry

DMBLGIT - Introducing The Judges
2008-06-15 23:41:00
Before I introduce the judges for this June edition of Does My Blog Look In This, I have a confession to make. Today is my dad's birthday...Happy Birthday Dad! Joyeux Anniversaire Papa!My confession is that I had planned to make him a cheesecake and send it virtually via this site but things did not turn out that way...Raspberry cheesecake was indeed made, but eaten faster than I could take pictures...sorry! We thought about you though! I looked for a while for a photograph of my father but quickly realised that very much like me, he is the one behind the camera most of the time, and when I did find a couple he was making his notorious "moon face" (giant smiling face from ear to ear). Yeah...a bowl of fresh raspberries is a little more tempting than a strange French man with a scary face on a Monday!Reserved as he is, I also know that he would not want me making a big deal about his birthday so...moving on to the judges of DMBLGIT. I have started to refer to them as "my peeps" when...
More About: Judges

Goat Cheese Ice Cream and Fresh Cherries
2008-06-13 15:10:00
Lately I have been on a fresh goat cheese and cherry kick. A bite of soft cheese of bread followed by a couple of cherries, pitted cherries filled by a spoonful of creamy goat cheese, chopped cherries folded into goat cheese cream on toast for breakfast. Nope, not pregnant, just enjoying the simple pleasures of summer and life in general. Like dipping my feet in the river when I can catch the right tide, catching crabs or taking the neighbors' kids down the creek at low tide to watch the herons. I live for moments like these and thank you Tea for reinforcing my feelings that the immediate, simple things in life are to be lived to the fullest.You must be wondering if I live in some sort of idyllic community. It's hard to understand our rhythm until you come visit like my aunt and uncle did earlier this month. Dinner? Let's go check the crab traps! Sunset? Let's get the sailboat and go for a ride? Just yesterday, C. called because our dogs had decided to trade house for the evenin...
More About: Ice Cream , Cheese , Fresh , Cream

Snickers Macarons
2008-06-11 00:11:00
If some well established passion fruit-chocolate or cassis-violet pairing French macarons masters were reading this, they would probably take out their whisk and come after me. On a side note, as my mate Zen Chef pointed it out, since Pierre Herme looks more melon than lemon, I'll take pretty boy Michalak in a heartbeat...forgive me this aparté, it's got to be the heat.Yep, the heat...As I was reaching for a gallon of water in the pantry I discovered Mr.Tartelette's secret Snickers stash. He pretended they had fallen behind the picnic totes and I pretended not to have a sudden craving for some peanut, marshmallow caramel and chocolate. I stood up and knocked my head on one of the shelves. It had been a long hot day, with many little work things nipping at me, like a last minute macaron order and the last thing I needed was a bump, a bruise or a headache. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and calmly said "That's it. Snickers Macarons.""Isn't it like French macarons gone white...

Does My Blog Look Good In This? June 2008 Edition
2008-06-09 06:24:00
(Andrew, I hope you will forgive me this little side story)Andrew knows how to make my heart jump...and I am not talking about his fabulous pictures or his mouth watering recipes...Nope, the man behind Does My Blog Look Good In This, a.ka.a DMBLGIT and Is My Blog Burning, sent me an email last week that made me literally jumped in my seat : "Hiya! Are you still OK to host DMBLGIT this month. You are down on my list as host for June ." Did I write him in my sleep?...has my brain that many short circuits lately that I can't remember? When? How? Who?.....I remembered signing up when he asked for hosts months ago but I had not heard back so I figured I had been deemed not worthy of this great event...Sigh....After a few emails back and forth we figured out that his answers had bounced back and never reached me....Ugh...so ok, quick thinking....Contact people I wished to have as judges, badge tweaking, email account set up, gallery set up,...and long story short (I am trying, really!)......
More About: Edition , June 2008

Strawberry Lemon Thyme Shortcakes Inspired By "Comfort Food", A Novel
2008-06-07 01:16:00
Early last month, the lovely Cath from A Blithe Palate and Stephanie of Dispensing Happiness contacted me to see if I wanted to be part of a foodie book club they were creating, The Edible World. The premise: about twice a year, the book club readers would get a copy of a food related novel with the mission (to read it!), pick a dish mentioned in the book, find a recipe for it, make it and blog about it. Guess what I told them?! Count me in!!! I always need something to read on the treadmill and what better way to exorcise demons and calories than read about them, right?!!Comfort Food written by Kate Jacobs, relates the adventures in cooking and paths of self exploration of a 50 year-old tv cooking show host, Gus, whose ratings are suffering and who finds herself paired with a vibrant young Miss Spain turned culinary school graduate whose claim to fame are cooking snippets on youtube. Gus lost her husband early, taking care of her 2 daughters by opening a sandwich shop without prior...
More About: Strawberry , Lemon , Comfort food , Inspired

Loquat Creme Brulee Tartelettes
2008-06-04 07:43:00
The family is packing for their upcoming departure tomorrow morning, so I thought it's be best to stay at out of their packing jitters and tell you about the Loquat Creme Brulee Tartelettes we had last night....I am all about peace.... with tarts.Back at the beginning of May when Marcela was visiting, we took a walk downtown and kept bumping into dozens of trees bearing a yellow/orange fruit that looked like a cross between an apricot and a plum. I thought about loquats but quickly discarded that thought. Really, what would be the odds to in the Lowcountry?! They grow and flourish in California in April and May, but it seemed like the first time I had ever seen one in town...but again locals are not the most observant people in their own town sometimes, and that day I had my camera in hand looking for the peculiarities of the city.The loquat tree takes its origins in Southeastern China and was later introduced to Japan where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. It is b...

Blackberry And Almond Shortcrust Tartelettes
2008-06-02 17:00:00
I am warning you this is another loaded post but having a food blog makes you part of an awesome group of people worldwide and when this community reaches out for help...I just jump because they have given me so much already.I never thought I?d say this but I am exciting to see June. I usually love May and all the promises that Spring carries. That lighter feel in your step, the days being longer and filled of beautiful sunsets, the trees in full blooms, produce getting a new skin at the store?But as much as the first half of May was filled with joyous and sweet moments such as Marcela?s visit or my birthday, the end of May turned quickly bitter-sweet as well as full and empty at the same time. Before I forget...I am having a bad case of what B. called "Gruyere Head": the lovely apron in the first picture was a handmade gift of Holly's mother-in-law and I have been starring at it for a couple of weeks now, unable to put it on, afraid I'd stain it...I know aprons are meant to be wo...
More About: Blackberry , Almond

Sugar High Friday #43: Citrus! The Round Up Part One
2008-05-30 06:01:00
You guys....Wow! 130 entries!! 130 recipes to try and people to thank for coming strong to make this edition of SHF such a success. Thank you!I am whipped!! Seriously, things started slow and nice and Bang! I turn around, enjoy a few boat rides with the family and just like that my tastebuds are overwhelmed with a delicious flow of creative, funny, fun, amazing entries! I don't have much to add..really...pictures speak a thousand words they say! Well, it's been a few all nighters here at Tartelette's to bring all these to you so if I forgot your entry or messed up a link...go easy on me and we'll fix this together over the weekend.Before we start, I need to mention that Jennifer herself will be hosting the next Sugar High Friday ! The theme is "How Sweet does Canada Taste to You" and she is asking not necessarily for favourite recipes but specifically for your favourite foods... Part icipants will be asked to bestow their favourite sweet treat that is made in Canada; home-made OR ...
More About: Round Up

Sugar High Friday #43 - Citrus: Round up Part Two
2008-05-30 06:00:00
Michelle from Big Black Dogs bakes out of her usual flavor comfort zone and picks tangerine and chocolate in a perfect Tangerine And Chocolate Cupcakes with Tangerine Frosting. Great pick! Gluten Free super blogger Nathalie from Gluten A Go Go creates a gorgeous Kumquat Lychee Preserve to go along some perfectly puffed choux. Once again my hat's off to you for making a classic available to all. JZ from Tasty Treats goes mini with these orange flavored Petite Orange Cakes With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. Everything is precious in this dessert, from the presentation to the taste. Well Done! Alexandra from Addicted Sweet Tooth finds the time and energy after surgery to make these delightful Honey Parfait with Blood Orange Gratin. She kind of had me scared there with the blow torch action while on meds but everything turned out gorgeous! Monica from Nervous Chef decides to take the plunge and post her first SHF entry! She made a fabulous Lemon Mousse Cake...and for a non citrus perso...
More About: Sugar , Round Up , Friday , High , Part

The Daring Bakers Sing An Opera: Honey And Lavender Opera
2008-05-28 06:05:00
....and I play the triangle....because I can't carry a tune, which really is funny. No, no, really, I find it really funny that I can't sing or barely remember three notes on a piano considering that thanks to Mr.Tartelette being a musician, I had no problem finding sheet music, a trombone, a flute, a guitar and a violin lying around the house making it easy to take pictures or get inspired when Ivonne and Lisa announced that the Daring Bakers challenge for May was "The Opera ". Early on, I started humming Madame Butterfly and Carmen which greatly influenced the decorations on the cake: lovely "tuile/tulip" butterflies for the former and shapely upside down legs in the cake. Mid-month I was not humming so much anymore as I was making the original Opera for hundreds at work. I was on a mission though...The Daring Bakers' Opera this month is dedicated to Barbara of Winos And Foodies. Over the last couple of years, Barbara and I have become closer than just blogging acquaintances oft...
More About: Honey , Sing

Citrus And Cardamom Rum Babas
2008-05-26 06:52:00
I have been under a shower of SHF citrus entries this past week and although I need to (happily) bathe in over 100 entries in the coming days, nothing would make me happier. Thank you in advance to all of you who participated and remember I will accept a few stragglers if you come to the party with an extra box of lemon sour candies! Before I proceed with these lovely Rum Babas , I need to announce the winner of the Cherry Blossom Extract: Congratulations to Suzana of Home Gourmets ! Please email me with your mailing address so both Rachael and I can get the 2 bottles on your way. When I was little, I loved going with my mom to the bakery in town after church on Sundays, helping her select the little mini pastries that would end up on a dessert tray after lunch at my grandparent's. There always was a selection of different flavored eclairs and cream puffs, a couple of mini fruit tarts and Napoleons and a couple of mini rum babas. I used to repeat that name on the way there and on th...
More About: Cardamom , Citrus