"French baking tins. Old, rusty, and begging to be washed, " the man said to me at the antique market (brocante). Though, I knew they were baking tins. What I wanted to know was what type of baked goods were made in each tin.
He shrugged his shoulders, laughed and said, "I am a brocanteur (antique dealer) not a baker. Though if you bake me something I will give them to you?"
That sounded fair enough.
I replied that I was attracted to the small shapes and thought certainly I could use them for something. I could read his mind, as he frowned his eyes towards me in a confused like way. I am sure he thought… duh you could BAKE with them.
Note: The little munch-kins (up above) are for making brioche. Bite size ones I might add.
Brioche tins, stacked stylishly with dirt, rust and a dry leaf. Begging to be washed? Ha, I think they are very photogenic as is. French Husband begs to differ. He thinks brioche making is in the future. He reminded me that I promised to bake something for the dealer. I assured him that I would bake the dealer something but most likely not in these tins… but then of course, if he washes them, I guess I can make brioche.
What would you do with these? Please do not say you would chuck them in the bin.
A group of madeleine tins. Similar in style: dirt, rust though no dry leaf. I have made brioche, but I have not made madeleines. They cannot be too difficult to make. Have you made madeleines before? Do you want some rusty, old tins?
Varied sizes of French baking tins, dirty, rusty and old too. These are smaller than the palm of my hand. I would like to use them… if I wash them do you think I could use them? Can rust kill a person? Okay, maybe that is an exaggerated question, let me rephase it: Can baking with a rusty tin, make a person sick?
I asked my Belle Mere (mother in law) If she knew what these little, boat-shaped tins were used for, if she knew what type of French pastry was baked with them? She thought they were used for making small cakes. When I asked the name of the cake she said, "Boat cake sounds good, let's say boat cake."
I think my Belle Mere has hung around me too long, she is starting to talk like me.
That is a compliment isn't it?
There is no such thing as "Boat Cake" in France. But maybe after today, "Boat Cake" will be the new fashion plate in French pastry windows.
Viva la France!
I have a boat load of French baking tins.
A dried fava bean was hanging out with the boat shaped tins. I imagine these baking tins used to be in a pastry shop, and after all these years disregard outside by the garbage cans collecting whatever fell their way… fava beans, dried leaves, dirt….
Get a load of these… aren't they cute! They could be wash basins for a doll house. Or bird fountains for a doll house. Or Baba Rhum tins to make petit four. Or to collect baby teeth? Or used for votive candles?
If you would like some of these old, dirty, rusty, French tins add your name to the comment section, and tell me what you what you would use them for. I'll pick three winners tomorrow.
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