Decadent Desserts:from Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte,watercolor

After posting Monday about the new cookbook from Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, I went looking for a copy.

 

The pictures and setting are utterly lush and truely decadent - just as good as a visit to the chateau. I was inspired to do a version of this heavenly line-up of L'ile flotante/floating island with pink pralines and green tea custard.  

The inside is every bit as yummy as the cover: Decadent Desserts: Recipes from Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Kitchens are downstairs at the chateau - I shot these pieces montees of fruit and macarons - click for a better look!

A model of an old dessert, decorated with architectural details much like Antonin Careme.

 Stacks of brass molds to make even more desserts.

 

Plus a life size tableau of a cook preparing the meal. 

 The author of Decadent Desserts and resident owner of the chateau, Countess Cristina de Vogüé. Sylph-like, it's hard to imagine even a cracker crossing her lips much less the fabulous desserts in her cookbook. Note the countess is wearing an apron with the chateau's symbol, l'ecqureuil/squirrel.

Ah to be a countess and reside here. It must be a lot of work I suppose. If you visit Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte on a spring and summer weekend, you may catch their special candle light dinners well worth attending. Someday...
BONNE WEEK-END!