Reading Clotilde's cookbook last night, I was reminded again how much childhood experiences influence our food tastes. I was the "finicky eater" in my family.
I can't remember all the things I would not eat, but cake and crust was a big one and no birthday cake - mine or anyone else's.
My Mother cleverly devised an annual menu that included lobster and Lemon Meringue pie. And no cake! Today is my birthday, but I celebrated in advance by visiting Fauchon my first day in Paris.I had to try out their "squared" version of Tarte au Citron. They call it, Carre Citron or lemon square.
The individual portion is not unlike a Lemon Meringue pie
with it's tiny white rectangle of meringue sitting on top.
If this isn't crazy creative I don't know what is and a good example of pastry geometrie!
Naturally I had to try out the lemon eclair while I was there...
Plus chocolat chaud / hot chocolate as part of my Parisian research project. Only Fauchon could come up with a "gold" plastic spoon...
Here the Fauchon vendeuse/salesperson has spotted my camera and is looking daggers at me. The upstairs tea salon is being renovated, so there's a temporary cafe setup for us researchers to test out desserts.
All gone and very delicious, which tells you zip.
True Fauchon's Carre Citron did not beat out the all-time winner of THE TARTE SU CITRON CONTEST, Pierre Herme.
But it was unctuous and VERY tart, the way the best lemony desserts should be.
After reading Clotilde's recipe for tarte crust (p. 182) I feel guilty that I left the crust even if it was cake. Next time...
Naturally I had to try out the lemon eclair while I was there...
Plus chocolat chaud / hot chocolate as part of my Parisian research project. Only Fauchon could come up with a "gold" plastic spoon...
Here the Fauchon vendeuse/salesperson has spotted my camera and is looking daggers at me. The upstairs tea salon is being renovated, so there's a temporary cafe setup for us researchers to test out desserts.
All gone and very delicious, which tells you zip.True Fauchon's Carre Citron did not beat out the all-time winner of THE TARTE SU CITRON CONTEST, Pierre Herme.
But it was unctuous and VERY tart, the way the best lemony desserts should be.
After reading Clotilde's recipe for tarte crust (p. 182) I feel guilty that I left the crust even if it was cake. Next time...
I second whoever said: It's funny how you get to know someone vicariously and how important they can become to you... ;-) Que ce 17 mai soit un heureux jour!
ReplyDeleteBonne Anniversaire, Carol! Lovely post! Man, I'd have eaten that crust...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Carol!!! Thank you for sharing your cute card with us and as always, the lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux anniversaire, Carol !
ReplyDeleteFirst presie: a speciat "tarte au citron" - said without crust... you can at least try !!!
http://saleousucre.canalblog.com/images/CIMG23604.JPG
If still too "crusty", here is a jar of lemon curd - said to taste like a lemon tart without the crust !!!
Happy birthday, whatever the cake !!!
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/5346/kkvjpenglobexn6.jpg
Wow.. dont know that I have heard of someone NOT liking cake before. Carrots, Beets or things like that. Things I didnt and still dont like, but NOT cake. But we do have one thing in common. Being born in May. Mine is the 20th.
ReplyDeleteI will be 39 AGAIN. HEE HEE. and you? 29 again? ;-)Have a Terrific day.
Now if you'll excuse me I have to go find something lemony to eat. ;)
Cris in OR
Happy Birthday Carol! May allyor wishes come true,and be wrapped in Laduree boxes!
ReplyDeleteO-tanjoobi Omedetoo Gozimasu (Happy Birthday!) may this year be very good to you. Thank you for bringing sunshine here with your photos and watercolors.
ReplyDeleteYour paintings and world look so beautiful. When I look at your pictures and paintings they are so inviting. Thank you for adding inspiration in my life.I've added you as an inspiration on my blog. Hope that's okay.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Carol! We should celebrate soon (without cake!:)...with some chocolaty desserts.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Paris Breakfasts readers for your kind birthday wishes!
ReplyDeleteIt means a lot :)
Happy Birthday Carol! How could you resist the tart part?
ReplyDeleteSo you're still are not eating crusts -- even on your birthday tarte at Fauchon!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday.
Even though you're not living in your beloved Paris, you succeed in finding so many touches of Paris here in New York.
Thank you for continuing to brighten my mornings. Even if I can't wake up in France, thanks to you, I have a touch of Paris with my own petit dejeuner.
Mr. D.
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
I’d love to see all of this.
No wonder you love painting it all!
Food, watercolors, and photos are too much!
Thanks!
Teri
Happy Birthday to you! May your year ahead be sweet and colourful, just like your blog.
ReplyDeleteA very happy birthday!!! May the year ahead be blessed with much happiness for you.
ReplyDeleteMichelle (a new visitor here for whom your blog has become a daily must-read)
Paris Breakfasts' authoress
ReplyDeleteone year older, my-oh-yes
20 - 30 - 40 more?
I'm not telling
THAT'S FOR SURE!
Happy B - Day Carol!
sjerseyboy
Have a wonderful celebration....beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Carol. I hope your day was filled with joy and surprises...and perhaps a little lemon meringue.
ReplyDeleteI hope the coming year is filled with the same kind of joy I receive daily reading your blog. Reading Paris Breakfasts has become a regular part of my life.
Joyeux Anniversaire!
I`m singing: "Happy birtday to you....."
ReplyDeleteMay this be a stunning year with all the best blessings!!!!!!!!!!
Better late than never...Happy Birthday, Carol! I hope your day was as delicious as the citron tarte. We also share the same birthday month, mine's on the 15th! Bonne chance!
ReplyDelete