Tag Archives: Recipes

Clafoutis aux poires et au chocolat (pear and chocolate clafoutis)

Clafoutis is a speciality of the Limousin region of France, a simple flan traditionally made with black cherries. The name clafoutis (sometimes spelled clafouti) is said to come from the Occitan word clafotis, in turn derived from verb clafir or claufir, which means “to fill.” And a filling dessert it is. Made with just a … Continue reading Clafoutis aux poires et au chocolat (pear and chocolate clafoutis)

Tarte aux poires et aux amandes (pear frangipane tart)

The French writer Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) noted during his travels in 1580 that innkeepers of Bâle, Switzerland served “cooked pears with the roast” and that the locals “mixed cooked plums, apple and pear tarts with meat.” While the noble pear has a long and illustrious culinary history, today pear tart is of course served … Continue reading Tarte aux poires et aux amandes (pear frangipane tart)

Macarons with Praliné Filling

The invention of pralines dates back to the 17th century and is most often attributed to Clément Jaluzot, master chef to César de Choiseul, Comte du Plessis-Praslin (1598-1675). Chef Jaluzot is said to have hit upon the idea of coating almonds with caramelised sugar, producing a sweet and crunchy treat that delighted his employer’s palate. … Continue reading Macarons with Praliné Filling

Gâteau au Chocolat (Chocolate Cake)

The first chocolate cakes in Europe date back to the 17th century, when bakers began adding cacao powder, newly imported from the Americas, to their traditional cake recipes. During the 19th century, pastry chefs, notably in France and Austria, concocted sophisticated chocolate desserts to be enjoyed by the privileged elites. For everyone else, chocolate in … Continue reading Gâteau au Chocolat (Chocolate Cake)