Brioche des Rois - A Provencal Epiphany
on Jan 6, 2009 in candied fruits brioche kumquats traditions Last week with the quince and pear frangipane tartelettes, I mentioned that I was inspired by the traditional "galette des rois", a creamy almond frangipane encased in between two sheets of puff pastry, that we eat to celebrate Epiphany on Janua

Poached Pear and Quince Frangipane Tartelettes
on Jan 1, 2009 in puff pastry quinces tartelettes pears frangipane On this eve of a brand new year, (edit: I was writing this last night) I have spent a good part of this last week reflecting on the year gone by while helping our best and dearest neighbors move. We dealt with it the only way we have handled life in...

Chocolate Chesnut Vanilla Yule Log or Raspberry Vanilla Meyer Lemon?
on Dec 28, 2008 in Daring Bakers Meyer lemon white chocolate chocolate chesnut raspberries Now say that twelve times real fast after after one too many glasses of Champagne!! These Yule Logs are the desserts I served the family on Christmas dinner and between the 12 of us there were barely enough left for a midnight snack! I did not intend...

Merry Christmas!
on Dec 25, 2008 in christmas Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! Joyeux Noel!Christmas Eve was low key here, assembling filling boxes after boxes of baked goods and preparing for dinner with the family today.Each year I put together a variety of treats and B. helps with...

Banana Tatin Verrines
on Dec 22, 2008 in creme fraiche verrines bananas caramel I never know "sur quel pied danser" (on which foot to dance) the last few days leading to Christmas. I have my feet in the starters' block but it is too soon to get going! The tree is up, the house is decorated, all the doughs for the cooki

Lavender And Espresso Truffles
on Dec 20, 2008 in lavender truffles espresso chocolate Christmas is right around the corner isn't it?! I am fully in the holiday spirit, at least I think I am. No, I know I am once I get home, close the door and start baking and filling boxes with goodies to be shipped off to friends and given to the fam

Gingerbread Men Macarons
on Dec 15, 2008 in gingerbread spices macarons I did not intend to post about macarons again this soon until Carol planted an idea in my head. I have come to accept and oh so happily surrender to her gentle "hey Tarty! Ever thought of doing xyz?" or "what about a little of this on a lit