Tuesday, November 3, 2009

For The Birds, Rose Crème Brûlée

Sometimes series of events seem connected and not really coincidental at all, as in my week of Rainbows, Diamonds, Trust and Fortunes. The following week, I was presented with a much less dramatic and much more fun set of coincidences. In the 1920's Carl Jung introduced his Theory of Synchronicity, to explain such events. My son Zac, who is a very pragmatic engineering major, usually quotes the Baader-Meinhof phenonenom as a reason. Whatever the reason or theory, I am still fascinated when certain sets of coincidences occur. For instance, take my day in Paris a few weeks ago. I love birds and roses, so naturally I take notice when I see them, in whatever form. But, I can't tell you how many times I have been in the St. Michel RER stop and casually enjoyed the mosaic on the wall as you exit, but never really took conscious notice of the bird form. My friend Laura took a shot of me walking past this lyrical art.We then exited and crossed the river towards Notre Dame, and it really wasn't anything unusual to see a flock of birds flying and enjoying the afternoon by the bridge. I snapped a pic and we then carried on to discover an event in front of Notre Dame heralding a giant white dove! The wings flapped in the gentle breeze as we stood beneath it.


This couple looked on....somebody should've told them not to feed the pigeons!

There were some lonely late blooming roses that were mainly remarkable in that they were still in bloom. It was a Sunday afternoon and the service was just beginning in Notre Dame. This gray bird at the entrance almost seemed to be part of the architecture. The late afternoon sun streamed in through the Rose Windows giving the inside of the cathedral a warm glow.
It doesn't matter what religion you practice or don't practice, as the choir sings and the music plays, the all encompassing spiritual presence can be strongly felt. Feeling full of light, we left and walked along rue Chanoinesse to go by Au Vieux Paris, a restaurant that my friend Debbie wanted to point out. Yes, charming faux birds graced the front!
We didn't eat there, but enjoyed the old world ambience. Ambling along toward Isle St. Louis, I was telling Debbie and Laura what I'd learned about Herkimer Diamonds through my Rainbows, Diamonds, Trust and Fortune experience the previous week. We crossed the street and looked up to surprisingly see this sparkling mineral shop. Giving each other an astonished and knowing look, we went in.

"Do you have Herkimer Diamonds?", I asked. "Bien Sur", was the reply, and I was shown two magnificent examples. O-o-o-K, so I guess there are more chapters to this story yet! After a very satisfying dinner on Isle St. Louis, we were reflecting on our day of birds and roses and on the amazing Rose Crème Brûlée with our meal the night before. I've never had a flaming Rose Crème Brûlée, and following the oohs and ahhs, we were stunned by the shape the dancing flame displayed!


Rose Crème Brûlée
(adapted from Paula Dean's Crème Brûlée)


2 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2-1 teaspoon rose water*
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup, plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/3-1/2 cup raw turbinado or brown sugar

*Diane's notes: 1/2 teaspoon gives a subtle yet hardly discernible rose flavor. Increase the rose water up to 1 teaspoon to your preference of rose flavor. I prefer just a hint of rose flavoring.


Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.


In a heavy-bottomed medium non-reactive saucepan, heat cream with vanilla bean over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring to ensure it does not burn; do not let boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the vanilla bean, or save for another use. Strain cream through a fine mesh sieve (if using vanilla bean). Add desired amount of rose water.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar. Add about half the cream mixture, a little at a time, to the egg mixture, whisking until well blended. Then pour the egg mixture into the remaining cream mixture. Stir until completely blended.
Pour the custard into 4 (9-ounce) or 6 (6ounce) ramekins or custard cups. Place the dishes in large baking pan. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the mixture is set in the center (it should still wiggle when shaken). Carefully remove the dishes from the baking pan. Let cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. Let crème brûlée stand at room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
Divide 1/3 to 1/2 cup turbinado or light brown sugar in a thin, even layer over each custard, covering it completely. To caramelize the sugar, light a culinary propane torch and hold it so the flame just touches the surface. Alternatively, it may be caramelized under the broiler.


Start at the center and spiral out toward the edges of the ramekins until the sugar melts and lightly browns. If the sugar begins to burn, pull the torch away and blow on the sugar to extinguish the flame.
Garnish with a fresh rose petal. Serve immediately.
Makes 4-9 ounce or 6-6 ounce servings.


Rose Crème Brûlée recipe (pdf)


As I was writing this I got a call from my friend, Christine and we were discussing the Rainbows, Diamonds, Trust, and Fortunes post. Knowing me well, I discovered she thought I was making a play on words with the Joan Baez song, "Diamonds and Rust". After listening to it, I was chilled by the lyrics and the synchronicity of them. Another chapter added as the beat goes on.....Thanks Christine for yet another new layer to those events.

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16 comments:

The Cooking Photographer said...

Wow Diane! What a beautiful adventure. Your rose creme brulee is a beautiful little dessert too.

2 Stews said...

Thanks Laura...I hope the pics weren't helter skelter when you saw them...I've been having "Blogger" woes since I "upgraded" about a month ago. The pics and the text just won't behave :-(

Yes, it was a great day...thanks for stopping by!

Diane

La Table De Nana said...

Une joie..

It is so nice to visit your spot here.. wonderful photographs..:) I spotted a small girl in Italy feeding the pigeons and it is still among one of my favorite photos.
Your post is right on timing for me..I have to make and want to make CB for dear friends in Dec. w/ a new QC liqueur I bought..I'll use yours and add this little ingredient.

Thank you..PS I love that shot of you walking..looks like an ad!!!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Hi Diane,

I ended up going back to the old format. The new one drove me batty.

Laura

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I love posts with street scenes and these are especially lovely. The giant white dove is something. Beautiful photographs too.

We use Ina the Barefoot Contessa's recipe for our creme brulee. I like your (Diane's) idea of the rose water. The heart shaped molds are darling.
Sam

Kate at Serendipity said...

How did you know I LOVE creme brulee! I once went on a CB hunt, looking for the best one. I ordered it all over Belgium and France. I can't tell you which one was best (whichever one I am eating at any given moment), but I think I still carry some of them around on my hips!

Rose water, I never thought of adding that. I"m thinking of a cardamom creme brulee...

Thanks for this tour and the photos. Magnificent!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

What a wonderful tour... The CM with rose water sounds extra special...Kind of like this lovely blog! xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

I had a magical time, Diane. The interior of the cathedral is just ethereal. The glow makes it look so pristine. Great shots from start to finish. And what a wonderful sweet treat you shared with us!

Ju

PS: Cheers to "permanent souvenirs" from Italy! ;)

Zurin said...

with a story like that what better end to it than the creme brulee! I'm going to try the recipe..your tour was very inspiring. TQ :)))ANd beautiful photos..it makes me feel like I was there too or wished that I was there.

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

Beautiful post Diane - I can always count on you for a lovely walk through Paris!

Brooke said...

Lovely photos! This sounds delicious.

2 Stews said...

Thanks all, for the lovely comments! Monique, please let us know how your liqueur works out. My neighbor just had Coconut Creme Brulee...I thought that sounded interesting. I think it is a good base for a lot of different flavors.

Have a good finish to the week!

Diane

Anonymous said...

its my anniversary today and I am going to try the Rodse Creme Brulee in a heart shaped ramekin and the Goat Cheese Terrine! ...Cant' wait!

2 Stews said...

Happy Anniversary Kim! I hope you enjoy it and your special day!

Diane

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

Diane, you write beautifully! And your photos, as always, are gorgeous, too.

Creme Brulee is my ALL-TIME favorite dessert. I will be trying this version very soon! Thank you for sharing the recipe and your stories -

prashant said...
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