Sunday, February 28, 2010

Pudding Diplomate, Crème Anglaise (Ladyfinger Pudding with Crème Anglaise)


Books have been written about the humble Bread Pudding. In fact, I have one called New-Fangled, Old Fashioned Bread Puddings (affiliate link).

What was originally a simple English Bread Pudding can now be found at almost every bakery in Paris. Le Cordon Bleu, however, takes Bread Pudding to a whole new level – using ladyfingers in place of bread and adding candied fruits and raisins to take it beyond the ordinary. Not to mention the Kirsch. The humble bread pudding is transformed into a posh and classy dessert!





Monday, February 8, 2010

Strawberry Sorbet


Sorbet is one of the easiest frozen desserts to make, especially when you have a reliable ice cream maker like the Cuisinart ICE-50BCC Supreme Commercial Quality Ice Cream Maker (affiliate link). This appliance eliminates the need to pre-freeze a canister thanks to its built-in compressor. While it’s a bit noisy, the convenience it offers makes it well worth the investment.

This Strawberry Sorbet recipe is quick, simple, and packed with the vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries. Sorbet is a smooth and fruity dessert made with sugar, water, and fruit—completely dairy-free and ideal for anyone looking for a light, refreshing treat.


The nice thing about this recipe is that it's easy. First you have to melt the sugar in the water and vanilla over medium heat. Purée the strawberries in a food processor along with the lemon juice. Cool the sugar syrup mixture before adding the puréed strawberries. Then, just process in your ice cream maker. Simple.

Recipe: Strawberry Sorbet

Makes about 3 cups


Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 ¾ pint baskets of strawberries
Juice of ½ lemon, strained

You can find the recipe for Strawberry Sorbet in the Le Cordon Bleu at Home (affiliate link) cookbook (page 176).


Tasting Notes
Even in the heart of winter, this sorbet captures the sweet, robust flavor of strawberries. The combination of sugar, vanilla, and a squeeze of lemon enhances the natural fruitiness, making it a versatile dessert. Pair it with a slice of Génoise with Chantilly Cream and Strawberries for a truly elegant treat.

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Running total: $1.15 + $5.01 = $6.16
($0.83 per serving, for 6 servings)

Butter used so far: 0 tablespoons

Less than 3% complete Basic Pastry

Next recipe: Pudding Diplomate, Crème Anglaise (Ladyfinger Pudding with Crème Anglaise) and Biscuits à la cuillère (Lady fingers) page 118

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Génoise with Chantilly Cream and Strawberries—Perfect for Valentine's Day

Génoise Cake Recipe - Learn to Make Perfect Sponge Cake Here's the thing. I'm ready to leave white pepper and chicken liver behind for a bit and pull out the sugar, so I'm starting to work through some of the lessons in Basic Pastry. The first class is all about Les Biscuits (Cakes).

What is Génoise
Génoise (pronounced JenWAHZ) is a delicate, Italian sponge cake named after the city of Genoa, a coastal city in northern Italy.