These delicious, slender fries have a crisp exterior and a creamy interior, contain 1/3 less oil than traditional methods, and could not be easier to make. Recipe is from Cook’s Illustrated (July, 2009) and the method is attributed to Michelin-starred French chef Jöel Robuchon. It skips the usual rinsing and soaking and you only need to fry once. You must use Yukon golds (Russets are too starchy).
The French love these delicious savoury cakes, they can be found in all supermarkets and good boulangeries. The texture is still very light and “cake” like, as these are not yeast risen cakes; however, the texture is also quite robust and firm, slightly “holey”, making these savoury type cakes very easy to slice. You can just slice them and butter them for a snack or use the sliced cake for an unusual and alternative sandwich bread. Or, slice them and then cut into small cubes – then using cocktail sticks attach a chunk of your favourite cheese or spread the cubes with tapenade, cream cheese or your favourite savoury spread. Olives also make a great accompaniment. Please note, that these do NOT have the same texture as a normal sweet cake – as I mentioned before, the texture is holey, firm and amost like a sourdough bread. They freeze beautifully, both in loaves or in slices. Preparation time includes the “resting” time needed for the cake batter.
Crispy waffles on the outside and tender on the inside. These are great anytime. Serve them topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream for dessert or top with warm maple syrup for a true breakfast treat.
One of the first recipes David Lebovitz put up on his site was a hot chocolate recipe from Wittamer, one of the best chocolate shops in Brussels, where he actually worked for a time. The head chocolatier, Michael Lewis gave him this recipe, which they serve in their chic tea salon overlooking the place Sablon. Try to find the best chocolate you can(30-40%). Adapted from The Great Book of Chocolate.
Another one of my savoury “cake” recipes from France. This recipe is slightly more substantial than my Recipe #316039, as this recipe contains ham with white wine and port! Serve this as alternative sandwich bread or as a light snack spread with cream cheese or butter. This cake recipe will also make fantastic little appetisers if the loaf is cut into small cubes and served with olives, cubes of cheese and savoury spreads. Please note that the texture of this savoury cake is NOT like a sweet dessert cake – it will be slightly holey with a robust and slightly chewy texture, almost like sourdough.
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