REMEMBERING THE SUMMER - PART III

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - A SATURDAY WALK AROUND THE SALÈVE

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - END OF WINTER SCENERIES

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - AN EARLY NOVEMBER STROLL THROUGH NEIGHBORING FRANCE

A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY - SUMMER AROUND MY CORNER OF THE WORLD

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - A SATURDAY SAUNTER

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - UNSPOILED

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - JUST ACROSS THE BORDER

CANNELÉS BORDELAIS - LAROUSSE CUISINE BOOK REVIEW

Book Review - Critique De Livre

I don't know if it's the same for you, but sometimes there are specialities I dream of making, yet for no apparent reason I never get to test them as fast as I wish. For example I have been dreaming of tasting and baking "Cannelés Bordelais" since the day I started blogging in 2005. I have been drooling over that French cake for long and every time I saw a post on that subject I promised myself to make them, but somehow never got to it (until lately). Finding the correct mold already took me a couple of years (Switzerland isn't a great place for amateur bakers) and then I needed a few months to finally get cracking. Well, I am known for being a big procrasitinator. I guess that is my problem... /// Je ne sais pas si vous êtes comme moi, mais beaucoup de fois je vois une spécialité que je désire tester et il me faut un certain temps avant de mettre la main à la pâte. Par example, ça fait un bon bout de temps (depuis que j'ai commencé à bloguer en 2005) que je salive à l'idée de faire des "Cannelés Bordelais" et que je me promets d'en préparer chaque fois que j'en vois sur vos blogs. Pourtant jusqu'à aujourd'hui je n'ai pas réussi à en confectionner. Il m'a déjà fallu plusieurs année pour dénicher le moule (en Suisse on est pas gâté lorsqu'il est question de matériel de cuisine), puis encore quelques mois avant de finalement me décider sauter le pas. Je suis une vraie procrastinatrice et je pense que c'est ça mon problème...

So, when the Editions Larousse kindly sent me their latest book "Petits Cannelés.... A Dévorer" I had no more excuse not to drag my sorry ass into the kitchen and whip up some cute cannelés. /// Alors quand Les Editions Larousse m'ont gentiment fait parvenir le livre"Petits Cannelés.... A Dévorer" (une de leurs récentes parutions), je n'avais plus d'excuse pour ne pas bouger mon popotin et m'activer à la création de cannelés.

Catherine Nicolas' dainty book contains gorgeous pictures and gives you the opportunity to prepare many different variations of that heavenly snack. Her 30 recipes for sweet, savory, classic and non-traditional cannelés (original recipe, kourabiedes-, cheesecake-, tapioca pudding-, pomme d'amour-, carrot cake-, chorizo polenta-, speck muffin-style cannelés, etc...) are very imaginative and pleasant. Whether you are a die-hard worshipper of the historic version or you are a more adventurous baker I'm pretty sure that you'll have fun creating those lovely petits fours which will meet a great success at your table when served for teatime, brunch or as an apperitive. /// Le mignon petit livre de Catherine Nicolas est merveilleusement illustré et nous donne la possibilité de réaliser multiples variations autour de ce délicieux gâteau. Les 30 recettes sucrées, salées, classiques et non-traditionnnelles qu'elle nous présente sont très imaginatives et séduisantes (cannelés d'amour, cannelés aux pruneaux, cannelés en pâte de fruits, cannelés en robe de chocolat, cannelés à la crème d'avocat, cannelés moelleux aux lardons, cannelés de chèvre aux courgettes). Que vous soyez un(e) grand(e) amateur(amatrice) du cannelé original ou que vous adorez la nouveauté je suis sûre que vous prendrez beaucoup de plaisir à créer ces petits fours qui seront les stars incontournables de tous vos cafés gourmands, brunches, goûters ou appéritifs.

For my part I decided to try her "Cannelés Bordelais" in order to put an end to my years of craving for that humble treat. Although this experiment proved me once again that my reasons for loathing those damn silicone pans (they stink, stick and my cakes always get squashed when I try to unmold them - the old-fashioned metal molds/pans work perfectly and never let me down) are grounded, I was nonetheless really happy with the end result. Even if my cannelés were quite fugly, they nonentheless tasted divine and had the most orgasmic of textures. /// Pour ma part, j'ai décidé d'essayer la recette pour les "Cannelés Bordelais" classiques afin de mettre fin à ces années passées à saliver devant les images de cette humble gourmandise. Bien que cette aventure m'ait encore une fois prouvé que ma haine contre les moules en silicone est fondée (ils puent, collent et mes gâteaux sont toujours écrasés lorsque je les éjecte du moule - les bons vieux moules métalliques ne me laissent jamais tomber), j'étais tout de même contente du résultat final. Mes cannelés étaient assez moches, mais cela ne les a pas empêché d'être divins et d'avoir une textures des plus orgasmiques.

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According to the legend, this treat dates back to the 17th century and was invented by nuns of the convent of The Annonciades (today, nuns of the convent of Mercy) in Bordeaux. Back then cannelés were called "canelas" or "canelons", were long thin cakes wound around a stick ("canne" in french, hence the name) and fried in lard. Apparently they are very closely linked to the making of red wine. This beverage was filtered through whipped egg whites and as the personnel of the castle did not know what to do with the leftover egg yolks, they donated them the cloister.

This marvelous pastry has gone through ups and downs since the day it was invented. Its origin is still unclear and the word's ethymology is very enigmatic. The name "Can(n)elé" (pronounced "kah-nuh-leh" and meaning "fluted") is very recent. In 1970 it does not appear in the “Guide Gourmand de la France” by Gault and Millau and it is only when, in 1985, the brotherhood of the Canelé of Bordeaux sees the day of light that the name becomes a collective brand. Ten years later, this goodie is once again very popular and many manufactures are built (about 1400) in Aquitaine and Gironde. Today this wonder of the French culinary patrimony is so fashionable and beloved that it can be found in numerous bakeries in France and around the world (it can even be bought at Bordeaux's McDonalds -*ugh*).

When it comes to cannelés there are a lot of secrets surrounding them, but one thing is for sure, there is absolutely no mystery to why those unique confections meet such a success. It is absolutely impossible to doubt their deliciousness. They are just irrefutably fantastic and irresistible.

Made with a revamped crêpe batter, "Cannelés Bordelais" are a bit like a cross between a pancake, waffle, pudding, popovers and clafoutis. Their moist, spongy and custardy insides, crisp, crusty, chewy and caramelized outsides as well as amazing flavor redolent of vanilla and rum will enchant your tastebuds and conquer your heart. This delicacy is so exquisite that you'll be incapable of forgetting it and will bake them on a regular basis.

Oh, why did it take me so long to discover those wonderful babies? When I think that I have wasted so many years dawdling, it makes me rip my hair out in utter desperation. So, please do me a favor, don't be stupid like me and postpone the sampling of "Cannelés Bordelais" (or anything else for that effect). Run into your kitchen and make the immediately!

~ Cannelés Bordelais ~
Recipe adapted from "Petits Cannelés.... A Dévorer" by Catherine Nicolas.

Makes 12 mini cannelés or 7 medium cannelés.

Ingredients:
1 Pod vanilla or 1 1/2 Tsp Pure vanilla paste
200ml Full-fat milk
20g Unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 Big egg
90g Granulated sugar
1 Tbs Dark rum
45g All-purpose flour
1 Pinch Fine sea salt

Method:
1 . Put the milk in a small pan. Add the split and scraped vanilla pod (or the vanilla paste). Bring to the boil, remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
2 . In a medium bowl, cream the butter together with the sugar.
3 . Add the egg and mix well (use a whisk).
4. Incorporate the rum, then the flour and salt. Whisk well (there should be no lumps left).
5. Slowly pour the warm milk into the mixture while mixing gently.
6. Put the batter in the fridge (in a closed recipient) for 12 hours minumum.

7. The next day, preheat the oven to 210° C (410 ° C).

8. Pour the batter into the cannelé compartments about 3/4 of the way.
9. Bake for about 1 hour (or 45 minutes if you are using the mini molds).
10 . Once you've removed the cannelés from the oven, proceed to unmoold. Let cool on a wire rack.

Remarks:
I recommend you to use a traditional metal cannelé pan (no silicone).
If you don't have a cannelé pan then you can use a popover pan.
Cannelés are ready when they are crusty and looking caramelized as well as dark on the outside.
Eat rapidly. They are best when eaten fresh and still a little warm.

Serving suggestions:
Serve for dessert with some whipped cream and a fruit salad or alone for breakfast or teatime.

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~ Cannelés Bordelais ~
Recette adaptée de "Petits Cannelés.... A Dévorer" par Catherine Nicolas.

Pour 12 mini cannelés ou 7 cannelés moyen.

Ingrédients:
1 Gousse de vanille ou 1 1/2 CC de Pâte de vanille pure
200ml de Lait entier
20g de Beurre non-salé, ramolli
1 Gros oeuf
90g de Sucre cristallisé
1 CS de Rhum brun
45g de Farine blanche
1 Pincée de Sel de mer fin

Méthode:
1 . Mettre le lait dans une casserole. Y ajouter la gousse de vanille (fendue en deux et raclé - ou la pâte de vanille pure) et ses graines. Porter à ébullition, puis éteindre le feu et laissez infuser 10 minutes à couvert.
2 . Dans un bol moyen, mélanger ensemble le sucre et le beurre mou. Les battre en pommade.
3 . Ajouter l'oeuf et bien mélanger à l'aide d'un fouet.
4. Incorporer le rhum, puis la farine et le sel. Bien mélanger (il ne faut plus qu'il y ait de grumeaux).
5. Verser le lait petit à petit tout en remuant doucement avec le fouet.
6. Mettre la préparation au frigo (dans un récipient fermé) pendant au moins 12 heures.

7. Le lendemain, préchauffer le four à 210° C (410 ° C).
8. Remplir les moules à mini cannelés aux trois quarts.
9. Enfournez et faites cuire pendant 1 heure (45 minutes pour les petits) environ.
10 . Démouler les cannelés au sortir du four et faire refroidir sur un grille. Servir tiède ou à température ambiante.

Remarques:
Je vous conseille de cuire ces cannelés dans des moules métalliques.
Les cannelés sont prêts quand leur croûte est bien caramélisée et sombre.
Cette spécialité est meilleure fraîche et juste sortie du four (mais refroidie un peu).

Idées de présentation:
Servir au dessert avec de la crème chantilly et une salade de fruits, ou pour le petit déjeûner ou à l'heure du thé (sans accompagnement).

SALÈVE, AN EERIE MOUNTAIN

Less than a kilometer away from my house there lies a mountain known by the name of Salève. Those who have been reading my blog will know that I am a little "obssessed" by it and worship it's unusual beauty...

« I thought of pursuing the devil; but it would have been in vain, for another flash discovered him to be hanging among the rocks of the nearly perpendicular ascent of Mont Saleve, a hill that bounds Plainpalais on the south. »
- Mary Shelley, Frankenstein -

The Salève is really an interesting mountain which has many faces. It can look very cheerful, but at the same time it has a gloomy underlying atmosphere. One feels the heavy aura of the place. Sometimes you would think that there are faeries hidden behind trees and other times you can clearly imagine that ghosts or malign souls are sourrounding you. I guess that comes from the fact that it is very old (it dates from the secondary period/ -150 to -125 million year) and has gone through the ages collecting memories within it's stones (matter never forgets).

This mountain's name comes from the latin "Salebra" meaning "a place that is difficult to reach". According to popular legend, the giant Gargantua dug out the Lake Léman and placed the rubble in the same location as the Salève. The inhabitants of the region who were made spectators at the event cried aloud "Eh ! mais regarde donc comme ça lève! (Hey, look how it rises up!)".

The Salève saw many events as well as people pass and is loaded with history: dinosaurs, cave-men, Celts, Romans, witches, brown bears, climbers (already since the second half of the 19th century), walkers, murders, deadly hiking accidents (certain paths are very dangerous and the rock front of the mountain is treacherous), etc... Even British novelist Mary Shelley wrote about the Salève in her gothic novel "Frankenstein" (« It was echoed from Saleve, the Juras, and the Alps of Savoy; vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire; then for an instant everything seemed of a pitchy darkness, until the eye recovered itself from the preceding flash. », « Who could arrest a creature capable of scaling the overhanging sides of Mont Saleve? »).

No matter what you are looking for, this mountain will not leave you feeling neutral.