It's official: I can't do cute. I can't do dainty, I can't do pretty shapes, I just can't. Especially not when I'm trying to do something at the last minute. Surprise, surprise. Anyway, I've been feeling very unexcited about this month's challenge for some reason, not due to the recipes themselves but I just haven't been inspired. So, I held it off until last minute, and then I decided to go for nougatine which I at least know I like. I did a fraction of the original recipe - about one fifth - and since my patience was wearing a lot thinner than the hot, sticky, gooey almond mess, I shaped rustic (very) baskets.
For the fruity pairing... I made cherry ice cream. Sounds impressive, tasted fab, but was really a big cheat. I softened vanilla ice cream, stirred in cherry preserves and a great cherry syrup from Poland. It was seriously one of the tastiest ice creams I've ever had, including many home made ones, so cheat or not, I'll make it again. Would I make nougatine? Uhm. Maybe. Probably. But I'd have to wait to feel quite inspired! As did many of my fellow daring bakers, so do go to the blogroll or the forums and check out what everyone else made!
This month's challenge is brought to us by Karen of Bake My Day and Zorra of 1x umruehren bitte aka Kochtopf. They have chosen Tuiles from The Chocolate Book by Angélique Schmeink and Nougatine and Chocolate Tuiles from Michel Roux.
But still beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your nougatine--it sounded too fussy for me so I went the easier route. Lovely cheat, which we will have to try soon. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI think the baskets look cute :-) The cherry ice cream sounds lovely, you'll have to tell me which conserves you used.
ReplyDeleteI just stressed through with my challenge as well. Not impressed really, but I didn't give it much time really and not much effort.
Anne, these look cute :-)! how can you say you can't do cute :P .. they're just lovely and look supercrsipy :-) XX
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this challenge - no patience and so much work makes for a frustrating challenge. I put mine off until the last minute - I did the nougatine too - and had the same fumbling experience with it. But really, it does look beautiful - you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteYour tuile is beautiful. I waited until this week to make mine. Your ice cream sounds delicious
ReplyDeleteYou sound so disappointed but your pictures look fantastic! I'd totally eat that - and from the sound of that ice cream... I'd completely, absolutely, majorly and totally eat that! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dessert! These tuiles look wonderful! Great job!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Incredible, Anne!
ReplyDeleteMouthwatering... especially as I'm about to sit down for diner!
Godness, gracious... when did you say I could come over, for dessert??? LOL
Beautifully done challenge!
Mmmm, that ice cream sounds divine! The nougatine tuile looks beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteååh vad gott det lät! Jag älskar körsbär!!!
ReplyDeleteInspired or not it still look great!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely Anne with the cherry ice cream. I felt the same about this challenge but was pleased wiht the results. The nougatine sounds delish.
ReplyDeleteI think you are wrong. It is cute and danty and pretty. :) Great job on this month's challenge.
ReplyDeleteI agree--I think it's way cute! The nougatine version looks so delish too!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so great! And I totally would have believed you if you said you made the ice cream from scratch. ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't do the nougatine recipe because it seemed so huge. I thought maybe I misread it. I like the looks of these, and the icecream sounds terrific.
ReplyDeleteI just love the nut baskets - you seems to have a little ennui - inspite of this you did a great job on this challenge.
ReplyDeletehow gorgeous! perfect looking basket!
ReplyDeleteWho says you can't do pretty shapes? It looks wonderful to me!
ReplyDeleteAs they say...cute is in the eye of the beholder... and your nougatine baskets are more than cute!!! As for the cheat....fantastic resourcefulness!! Good going!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also will reserve the nougatine/chocolate baskets/cups till next summer. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks lovely to me, and the ice cream sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed you made the nougatine. I thought it looked like more work :) The baskets looked great!
ReplyDeleteI'm deeply impressed! Your tuilles look great despite your protestations :) And I love the cheat's cherry ice cream - might have to copy that idea ;-)
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