Rememberence of Those Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Recipes~Decorating~ Rememberence of Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Many a good day was spent with friends over coffee and cake. Just like the Golden Girls we had our cheesecake moments too. There were stories of ALL kinds.

It all started in Germany, I was born in a little house on the Freudenberg Hills. The war had been over for several years and people were settling in to a time of new growth, and prosperity. As an Army Brat we traveled a lot but, I was never as Happy as I was in that little old house. It was a short bus ride or an adventurous walk to the River Rhine, where we would stroll along the tree lined colonnade amongst the ducks, and swans the smell of spring flowers perfuming the mid day air. We would pause for a late lunch at outdoor cafes and watch as people leisurely sailed their boats down the river. On late afternoons we would enjoy the coffee houses, were we would enjoy coffee and the most sumptuous cakes and pastries. On hot summer days I would enjoy my favorite lemon ice cream. Even today if I think on it I can still taste the tart, sweet flavor.

This little bog is to be dedicated to just that. Coffee, Conversation and Sumptuous cake recipes. So I hope you will all join me, and share your stories of days gone by, and recipes old or new, shared by some one today or passed down from generation to generation. Love to you All, Micki

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Chocolate Croissant Breadpudding With Creme Anglaise







Unsalted butter for the baking dish
10 large egg yolks
4 cups whole milk
2 cup heavy cream
2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 pound)
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate cut into chunks

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, salt and nutmeg. Add the croissants and chocolate and mix to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a buttered, 13x9 baking dish and bake in a 375 degree oven until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean, 30-40 minutes.

Serve warm or room temperature.
 

Crème Anglaise

 

  1. 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
  2. 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  3. 1/2 cup sugar
  4. 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature

  1. Set a large fine strainer over a medium bowl and set the bowl in a shallow pan of cold water.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine the half-and-half and vanilla bean and cook over moderately low heat just until small bubbles appear around the rim, about 5 minutes.
  3. In another medium bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks just until combined. Whisk in half of the hot half-and-half in a thin stream. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the sauce has thickened slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately strain the sauce into the bowl in the cold water bath to stop the cooking. Scrape the vanilla seeds into the sauce. Serve over bread pudding. May add 2 TBS Bourbon to crème during cooking time.