Yesterday as I went to the market to buy eggs, milk, cheese, tofu and vegetables I had every intention to take photos of the radishes, clementines, and collard greens until my taste buds caught sight of the bakery. Within seconds my good intentions took a back burning as my mouth watered for just one bite… a bite of chantilly beats plain white tofu any day.
Doesn’t the photo up above called a religieuse remind you of Pierrot ? I think they should change the name don’t you?
In the States some of the classic baked goods are chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, glazed donut, chocolate cupcake with sprinkles, strawberry shortcake, pop tarts… pineapple upside down cake!
In France the classic pastry names alone makes a person’s head spin! The desserts have names such as… opera, tropizenne, castel, millefeuilles, baba au rhum, eclair au chocolat ou cafe…
Not only are the French array of sweet tooth fantasies stunning behind the glass case, they are undeniably delicious too. Not to sweet and prepared to perfection. When you purchase a pastry in France it is wrapped up in a box with a bow, or if it is a croissant, pain au chocolat, or escargot it is put into a little paper bag.
A small petite four is wrapped up and tied with a red ribbon. I love how the French pleat the paper when they wrap their packages. It is their way with details that I find delightful to notice.
At the end of dinner when the dessert tray is brought out it is French custom to serve the oldest woman first, then so on and so forth to the youngest girl at the table. Then the tray is served to the oldest man and so on and so forth to the youngest boy.
I remember when we lived in Paris twenty years ago, the dessert tray was filled with many "petit four." But when we moved to the south of France the dessert was a large tart or a chocolate wonder of a surprise. Either way it was never disappointing.
Ah the stories I could tell about dinners and the dessert trays! But I will leave those for another day…maybe tomorrow.
French Husband prefers chocolate, the more chocolate the better. If it says chocolate then it is a sure bet that French Husband has his eye on it. Which is fine because…
Sacha prefers tarte au fraises or tart au framboise, and often that is the first to go when the dessert tray is passed around. Being the youngest and a boy doesn’t leave you much choice when it comes to the French dessert tray. Maybe that is why Sacha doesn’t have a sweet tooth?
Chelsea prefers millefeuille. Usually if there is a dessert left over after dinner it is a millefeuille. Not that it isn’t a wonderful creation of flaky pastry and cream, it is just in the world of desserts it isn’t the first choice of many.
Because of the French culture hierarchy of who picks first off the dessert tray Sacha and Chelsea have figured how to barter and trade…
Chelsea: "Okay, I’ll take the tarte au fraise for you when it is my turn and trade you for the millefeuille that certainly will be the only thing left on the tray when it is your turn."
Sacha the natural born feeling type and worrier, "Thank you Chels but what if there is an apricot tart or something left over that you don’t like?"
Chelsea the born manager of how to handle sticky situations: "Then the tart au fraise is mine."
As for me I prefer Choux avec chantilly which reminds me of my Mother’s famous cream puffs.
Dear Reader,
I have saved the best for last, one sweet taste to start your day. Trust me I am not cruel, I know you cannot taste this chocolate sweet no matter how you lick the screen… I have found another way to treat your tastebuds. Enjoy!
click here: Make sure to watch it to the end… it is delicious!
Kisses, Tongue in Cheek
Photos: Just desserts.
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