Category Archives: Desserts

Pâte sablée

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Meg

This is a recipe for French pastry, but it is also a test. I think we’ve made progress against the East European hackers who got into this site, but I need to test it out with a post. Which is … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Leave a comment

Soupe de rhubarbe aux fraises

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Meg

Full disclosure: I first tasted this fresh spring dessert at the home of a French ambassador. His chef whipped it up one morning while we were visiting. When I brought the spoon to my lips, there was a surprising burst … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crumble à la rhubarbe

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Meg

Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable? I’ve always considered it a fruit, as it’s used in tarts, cakes and compotes, never served as a veggie to my knowledge (and please correct me if I’m wrong). But I just checked … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gateau aux noix avec fraises

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Meg

The blush of red, the burst of sweetness: with strawberries in season, it’s tempting to make them part of every dessert. And why not? They add that little je-ne-sais-quoi to whatever you may be serving, for example a simple but … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fraises et framboises à la crème

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Meg

At last it’s strawberry season! The Paris markets are overflowing with red ripe berries. First came the large and rather flavorless strawberries trucked up from Spain, and now the homegrown gariguettes, a highly prized French variety that’s bursting with sweet … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Genoise au citron et pavot

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Meg

April in Paris… Snowflakes and gray skies… Nary a blossom is to be seen… Given the situation, the only solution the other day was to make a beautiful cake. It was Easter Sunday and I’d been invited to dinner. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tarte aux poires à la crème d’amandes

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Meg

Pear tart with almond cream is also known in France as tarte aux poires Bourdaloue. It takes its name from a former Paris pastry shop called Bourdaloue, named for the street on which it stood, the Rue Boudaloue in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Pots de crème au chocolat

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Meg

Can you imagine that most of the world never heard of chocolate until the Renaissance in Europe? That’s when the conquistadors brought it back to Spain, having acquired it from the Aztecs. Cortés was among the first Westerners to observe … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Vacherin aux fruits de la passion

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Meg

Ethereal, sweet, light as air, meringues make a lovely dessert in various guises. In France, when meringues are combined with whipped cream, ice cream or both, the dessert is called vacherin. Julia Child explains how to make a large ice … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Truffes au chocolat

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Meg

Why are these sinfully elegant and delightful chocolates called truffles? They take their name from the just as sinfully elegant black truffle, which grows under oak trees, must be uncovered by pigs or dogs and has at various moments cost … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment