Archive for July, 2008


Un Jour, Un An

Cela fait un an, jour pour jour !

Comme un enfant essaie de saisir l’eau, le temps me coule entre les doigts. Qui aurait dit qu’un an après notre mariage nous serions en Nouvelle Zélande ?…

Je me souviens encore de la petite fille, allongée sur le lit, regardant la robe de mariée de sa maman, ressortie soigneusement pliée d’une valise, la dentelle un peu jaunie…

C’est vraiment un truc de fille ! Aucun homme ne rêve de se marier !

Et puis moi aussi j’ai eu ma robe. Mais ce jour là est si vite passé. Quelque heures à peine…

N’est-ce pas un peu étrange de se mettre dans ses plus beaux atours pour un jour et de les remiser ensuite pour toujours ? Je serais curieuse de voir toutes ces robes, chaussures et autres accessoires d’un jour…

Naturelle au quotidien, le poudrier et les talons m’ont rarement servis, voire pas du tout.

Depuis, j’ai remis mes bracelets qui ne me quittent jamais, sauf le 21 juillet dernier. Oui, la vedette que je portais ce jour là, à mon annulaire gauche n’avait pas besoin d’artifices…

Un peu de la vieille école pour parler mariage me direz vous. En tous les cas, pas du tout dans la tendance néo-zélandaise où cette tradition a perdu 12 points ces quinze dernières années…


A Bout De Souffle…

I told you last time about the origami box. Since then, I had an idea, but had to experiment it first. I like it cause it’s economic, customized and simple.

Few days ago, I went to Moore Wilson, hoping that I will be able to buy for the sales, these little cake pans I was dreaming about for months…I was very disappointed ! There was in a corner, a kind of table dressed up on trestle legs, with a couple of items that nobody want to buy. And that was it for sales !

I came back home empty-handed…

I was thinking afterwards about it and remember that I’ve seen there, paper baking molds, embellished with golden pattern. A little bit like for cupcake, but thicker. So I decided to make my own from baking paper ! I know, you are probably thinking, this girl is a little bit weird ?! Doesn’t matter…

After making the star box I decided to play with the corolla. A blowing soufflé coming out would make it more fun than a simple cake and a contrasting color against the white paper too. Cocoa will be perfect. I have to thanks Donna Hay and her 38th issue for this inspiring idea. It’ll sound strange, but I’ve never ate any soufflé in my life. So it was now or never.

Despite their volcanic allure, I’m surprised how light it can be. The texture is very soft. I like it and I think I’ll do it again !
I’m also happy that the idea works. The cooking time is fast enough. The box remains in one piece -I did stamp egg yolk at the rear side of each junction under the petals to avoid opening. I baked them on the plate to have a warm surface. Don’t you think it’s a good way to surprise and entertain your friends for a dinner ?

So here is the recipe for cocoa and pistachio soufflé -yes, I could not resist to add these little gems in…

Makes 4

45g unsalted butter
4tbsp cocoa powder
3tbsp caster sugar
250ml milk
4 eggs
Pistachios, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 200°C // Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat // Add cocoa powder slowly and stir // Then pour slowly the milk stirring continuously until a thick and smooth batter // Add sugar // Remove from the heat and let it cool // Whisk in egg yolks // Whip (or with electric beaters) egg whites until firm peaks // Gently fold through chocolate sauce and combine carefully // Drop pistachios in // Fill 4 ramekins or 4 star-boxes // Cook for 18-20 minutes // Serve immediately

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In The Mood For Tea

Paprika bought recently a set of teas. I guess most of you will not be interested at this time of the year about tea; but down under, the winter is striking ! Okay, it’s only 13°C today… Anyway, I just want to share a good cup of tea with you.

Before, I was used to drink flavored tea. The one in tea bag bought in the supermarket. Then I learnt with Paprika to appreciate loose tea and good quality one. I got used quickly actually. It’s hard to drink Twinings afterwards !

The set is made of 18 sample boxes of 10g each. Only green and white teas. As soon as I opened the box, jasmine fragrance was spread over the air.

My favorite one is the Dragon Pearl, a Oolong green tea. I really like the way the tea leaves are textured and rolled. You let the tea infuse gently allowing pearls unfurl softly and finally get an interlace of long fine leaves resting at the bottom of the mug. The taste is delicate and jasmine flavored.

Paprika and I thought both about the same: We should try the flower blooming tea ! You know like the one in Marie Antoinette, the movie ! It would be fun !

There is also Silver Needle. A white tea with a very subtle taste. The soft fuzz on the leaves makes an interesting subject for picture.

A couple of flavored teas are also included in the set, like ‘Fabulous Feijoa’ . No need to say that I like this tea ! Paprika doesn’t like flavored tea -except with jasmine. That ‘s fine, I’ll have it all !

To purchase in New Zealand: T leaf T

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