Archive for the 'recipe' Category
Le pain Poilâne is the most well known bread in Paris. Ironically, it is not a baguette, but rather a round and rustic sourdough loaf. Even if Poilâne isn’t a family’s local boulangerie, or bakery (which is the case for the majority of people), everyone has had Poilâne. It is served in many bistros and restaurants, most often as the base bread for tartines. I also feel that in some ways Poilâne is very representative of the essence of French boulangeries. It is a family business passed down from generation to generation and operates under the philosophy of tradition and quality. Although the small shop has now grown into a worldwide business (they export to at least 11 different countries), everything, except the kneading, is done by hand.
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June 09 2010 | bakeries & restaurants and france and paris and recipe and sandwiches and thoughts | 9 Comments »
When it comes to dinner parties, I like to make dessert first. In general, baking takes more time and careful precision than cooking. So, before the kitchen becomes loud with banging pots and chopping knives, I like to have dessert completed. The great thing about cakes is that it can be started a day in advance. Usually, cake layers taste better the next day because the flavors are given time to rest and settle. While baking is done the day before, I always frost and assemble my cakes in the morning of the day of the party. I think frosting always tastes best the day it’s made.
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April 03 2010 | cake and chocolate & sweets and dessert and recipe and thoughts | 15 Comments »
Finally, the last of the birthday pie desserts is this strawberry tart. It is probably my favorite amongst the three (pumpkin-pecan and peanut butter mousse). The flavors are simple, clean, and familiar but in a surprising and dazzling way. Contrary to what it seems, it’s a no fuss dessert. The tart shell and pastry cream can be made ahead of time, then assembled a few hours before eating. It’s great for dinner parties and casual family dinners. I’ve made this tart a few times since the birthday party and it’s been a hit with everyone.
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February 23 2010 | dessert and fruit and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 5 Comments »
The second dessert I made for the pie birthday party was Dorie’s peanut butter torte. I loved the simplicity of the flavors which took me back to the candy bars I’d sneak up to my room as a kid. I’ve always been a fan of peanuts and chocolate, so this dessert especially hit a note with me. Especially in the mini, these really feel like an upscale, softer version of a Reese’s Pieces.
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February 14 2010 | dessert and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 6 Comments »
It just so happened that one week after the Tiramisu Black Forest Cake, I got another birthday sweet request. This time instead of cake I was asked to make mini pies. The birthday boy was more of a pie person and the party was going to be held at a Wii game room, so it seemed smart to make everything easily accessible. To be honest, this was the first time that I made pie with a real crust. Not that graham cracker/oreo crumble crust business, but the real deal with pâte brisée. I’ve always been intimidated by pâte brisée that I think I avoided any and all recipes that called for a flaky pie crust. However, instead of feeling fright, I was surprisingly happy to stand up to the challenge. It was sort of refreshing not coming up with any more excuses. ”Easy as pie,” people say, there must be some truth to that!
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January 31 2010 | dessert and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 4 Comments »
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