Swagger

Top: Theory. Sweater: Ralph Lauren Collection. Fur Stole: H&M. Skirt: H&M. Shoes: Pour La Victoire. Purse YSL Muse. Jewelry: Max&Chloe, David Yurman, Michele, Jcrew.

Post Title

→

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/swagger.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Apple, Gruyere and Sage Muffins and a Childhood Soup

Labels:

When autumn and winter come around, I become even more nostalgic (is that even possible?) of certain smells and foods of my childhood. I remember clearly walking around my grandparents' garden puling fresh leeks right off the ground. We would take bunches and bunches home every Sunday. My dad's car smelled of leeks all winter long.

If there is one traditional soup in the Basque Country, it must be porrusalda or leek soup. It is peasant food and the soup all of us grew up eating. Believe it or not, I seem to have been a picky eater as a child. I do not remember much about it, but I often times hear it from my mom. "You despised vegetables", she tells me. Funny how life is. So my mom made sure to puree all soups for me to get me to eat as many vegetables as possible.

I have to admit that texture has stuck with me as I do love creamy and slightly chunky soups. When cooler weather comes around, I eat soup almost every single day.

I made this variation of porrusalda this week when the skies were dark and stormy. We were under a tropical storm warning for two days so we stayed in for the most part. A simple soup with leeks, garlic, potatoes and butternut squash. Slightly sweet so I decided to make some cheesy muffins to go with it.

I keep dreaming of my uncle's apple orchard where we spent so much time this late summer. Apple goodness everywhere. Eating them raw and preparing them in a million different ways.

I thought it would be great to have a savory kind of cake to go with the soup and I love the combination of apples, gruyere and sage. The muffins are moist, sweet and salty at the same time. Serve the soup with a little sour cream, black pepper and olive oil. Perfect comfort food.

Apple, Gruyere and Sage Muffins

makes 6 muffins plus a loaf

1 cup (150 grams) superfine brown rice flour
1/2 cup (75 grams)millet flour
2 Tbs (30 grams) potato starch
2 Tbs (20 grams) tapioca starch
1/3 cup (70 grams) cane sugar
1 tsp (8 grams) baking powder
1/2 tsp (3 grams) baking soda
1/2 tsp (5 grams) salt
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 Tbs fresh sage, finely chopped
1 cup (55 grams) shredded Gruyere
1 egg
1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
1/4 cup (55 ml) olive oil
2 apples, peeled and small diced
Extra shredded Gruyere for topping

In a large bowl, whisk together the first 11 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk and olive oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until combined. Fold in the diced apples.

Scoop batter into molds. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes for the muffins and 40 minutes for the loaf.

Leek, Butternut Squash and Potato Soup

2 Tbs olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup (1/2 leek), diced
2 cups butternut squash, diced
2 potatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
3 cups chicken stock (or water)
Black pepper
Sour cream, optional

In a medium pot, saute the leeks in the olive oil for about 2 minutes. Do not let them brown. Add the squash and potatoes and saute them for another minute. Add the chicken stock and salt. Bring it to a boil and then reduce heat to medium and cook them covered for about 20 minutes.

Puree the soup and taste it. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with cracked black pepper and sour cream.

Post Title

→

Apple, Gruyere and Sage Muffins and a Childhood Soup

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/apple-gruyere-and-sage-muffins-and.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Shine On

Dress: Tracy Reese. Blazer: Aqua. Shoes: Loeffler Randall. Sunglasses: Fendi. Jewelry: Michael Kors, Gap, David Yurman.

Post Title

→

Shine On

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/shine-on.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Snapshots of a Perfect Weekend

The 'Indian Summer' finally came this weekend and it was everything I wanted and more. I captured just a couple of my favorite moments knowing it will soon be 60 degrees again. Hope you all had as much fun as I did...

Post Title

→

Snapshots of a Perfect Weekend

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/snapshots-of-perfect-weekend.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse and Baked Eggs for a Weekend of Comfort Food

Labels:

autumn

chocolate

eggs

family

gluten free

hazelnuts

mousse

savories

weekend baking

This past weekend was the first time since we came back from our trip that I didn't have to work and I took full advantage of it. Friday I finished shooting a cookbook (no, not mine) and I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my family and my kitchen. Books to read, movies to watch and lots of different recipes in my head to try.

Evenings are also turning cooler, letting us know that yes, autumn will soon arrive. It takes time in South Florida, but we wait anxiously.

I wait patiently all year for winter squash season. It is definitely one of my favorite ingredients to cook with and of course to eat. Soups, clafoutis or doughnuts like these are always in my repertoire. So when I walked into Whole Foods and saw the large array of pumpkins and squashes they had, I felt a sudden rush of happiness. The kind that food gives you.

I sliced and roasted the red kuri squash with the seeds and all. Perfectly seasoned, it's the perfect side dish or snack by itself. I used some of it for a creamy soup and the rest for cheesy and creamy baked eggs.

The recipe is an adaptation of Shauna and Danny's baked eggs with taleggio from their new book "Gluten Free Girl and the Chef". I had pre-ordered the book months and months ago and I was so excited when it finally arrived this week. It is beautiful. Mouthwatering recipes, some really simple, some more complex. All highlighted by Lara's gorgeous photography.

I can seriously say I want to cook every single recipe from this book. Smoked salt caramel ice cream, braised balsamic rabbit, crisp pork belly with wild rice, cabbage, sour cherries and honey-sage gastrique... The names alone make my mouth water.

I wanted something simple for our Sunday breakfast, so I made the baked eggs with taleggio and added some roasted red kuri squash, fresh oregano and finished them with a roasted pumpkin seed and apple cider vinaigrette. Delicious.

A book everyone should own, gluten free or not.

And of course, we needed our sinful treat. Chocolate and hazelnut mousse squares. Soft chocolate, hazelnut, banana and teff cake topped with super silky and easy chocolate mousse. These from my own repertoire. The perfect ending to a relaxing weekend.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Biscuit

makes enough for half a sheet pan, but we will only use half of it. i recommend freezing the rest for another time or eating it alone as a snack.

3 eggs
3/4 cup (150 grams) cane sugar
1 cup (280 grams) pureed bananas 9about 3-4 bananas)
1 cup (125 grams) light olive oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup (100 grams) teff flour
1/3 cup (50 grams) sweet rice flour
1/2 cup (50 grams) hazelnut flour
2 Tbs (15 grams) cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp (4 grams) baking soda

In a large bowl, whisk together the teff, sweet rice, hazelnut flours, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, banana puree, oil and vanilla extract. Add the liquids to the dry and whisk until combined.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the batter (will be rather liquid) onto the pan and spread evenly.

Bake at 350F until set about 15-18 minutes. Let it cool completely before making the mousse. We will only need half of it so wrap the other half and freeze it for another time.

Chocolate Mousse

370 grams bittersweet chocolate
370 grams heavy cream, whipped to soft peak

Line a quarter sheet pan with the chocolate and hazelnut cake.

Melt the chocolate over a water bath and let it cool slightly. When cool, add about 3/4 cup of the whipped cream into the chocolate and whisk to lighten it. Then fold the chocolate mixture into the rest of the cream. Fold gently but quickly until all incorporated.

Spread the chocolate mousse over the biscuit and refrigerate until set. Cut into squares and garnish with roasted hazelnuts.

Post Title

→

Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse and Baked Eggs for a Weekend of Comfort Food

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/chocolate-hazelnut-mousse-and-baked.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Cut It Out

Dress: Club Monaco. Jacket: CFDA for Gap. Shoes: Loeffler Randall. Purse: Chanel. Sunglasses: Old Navy.

Post Title

→

Cut It Out

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/cut-it-out.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Flash of Red

Dress: Alexander Wang. Cropped Jacket: Karl Lagerfeld. Jacket: Zara. Shoes: Topshop. Sunglasses: Forever 21.

Post Title

→

Flash of Red

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/flash-of-red.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Shearling Skies

Jacket: H&M. Bodysuit: AA. Pants: Elizabeth and James. Belt: Robert Rodriguez. Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Sunglasses: Burberry.

Post Title

→

Shearling Skies

Post URL

→

http://mercymadame.blogspot.com/2010/09/shearling-skies.html

Visit Merci Madame for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection

Taking the Long Way

Top: Rory Beca. Skirt: F21. Shoes: Sam Edleman. Belt: Robert Rodriguez. Purse: Gucci. Sunglasses: Fendi. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, F21, Gap, BR, Thrift.