Daring Bakers - Pineapple Tian with Lemon and Lime Marmalade

The 2010 March Daring Baker's Challenge was hosted by Jennifer of Chocolate Shavings. She choose Orange Tian, as the challenge for this month, a dessert based on a recipe from Alian Ducasse's school in Paris.

To be honest, I am tiring of Oranges and Lemons. So instead I decided to make a Pineapple Tian. Mostly because I had a pineapple already. I grilled the pineapple to give it some color. In the stabilized whip cream I made a lemon and lime marmalade (picture above). The marmalade by itself, was a hit. I added lime zest to the pate sable.

I have never made a Tian before so I loved the challenge! Thanks Jennifer for a adding something new repertoire.

Menu for this week!

I can't believe Easter is next weekend! I will be putting up the Easter menu on Thursday/Friday (early morning), of this week. If I am missing something from previous menus that you would like, please let me know.

Here is the menu for this week. Deliveries are Saturday from 9am-11am.

Savory
Moroccan chicken with spring onion couscous $25/9x13 or $5/serving
ginger, apricots, garlic, chicken breasts, harissa, almonds, tomatoes, cumin, couscous, spring onion, chicken stock

Ground Turkey meatballs, pine nuts, cilantro and raisins served with yogurt sauce $25 for 9x13 with yogurt sauce or $5/serving
This is adapted from on of my favorite bloggers Orangette. These have a Mediterranean flavor with a lemon and garlic yogurt sauce.

Marrakesh Stew with Roti (like tortilla) $25 for large container with 8 roti or $5/serving
The Roti shells use organic flour, cumin and soymilk. The stew has chunks of carrots, onions, sweet potato, white potato, eggplant, green peppers, zucchini, chickpeas and is topped with finely grated coconut.

Vegetarian Stir Fry $5/serving
Tofu, tomatoes, red onions, bok choy, soba noodles, oranges, jalapeno and a spicy mango sauce.

Breakfast
Custard filled cornbread with maple syrup $4/cornbread
Yes cornbread for breakfast. This is filled with custard. Warm the syrup and dump it on. What a great way to start the day!

Sweets
Pineapple Tian $5/tian
This is lime zest pate sable, with lemon -lime stabilized cream topped with grilled pineapple and homemade Carmel.

Chocolate, Honey, Lavender Tart $4/piece
This seems like an almost spring tart to me. The Lavender just gives a slight floral taste to the sweet chocolate and honey. Bittersweet chocolate, dried lavender, starthistle honey.

Gateau Basque $4/piece
This is yet a different variation on a cake that I have made before. This has a vanilla pastry cream inside the cake with dried cherry and red wine filling.

Chocolate and Cardamon Cupcakes
6 cupcakes $10 1 cupcake $2

Ice Cream
Coffee and almond brittle Ice Cream sandwiches $4/sandwich

French Macarons

Macarons are tiny colorful cookies that are now seen all over at bakeries and pastry shops. I have been trying to perfect them for awhile. There are many different techniques to make these and advice found on blogs and websites haven't produced the perfect macaron, for me.

After my somewhat futile attempts, I finally took a class in San Francisco and got the missing pieces to the puzzle. Actually, I think it was one missing piece - I have been over stirring the temperamental batter.

So, I had my best success yet! I am beginning to think it is a well practiced art, so I am going to keep at it. Although the colors are what initially attracted me to these cute cookies, I think I like them in their natural state . Maybe just with some great topping on top. In this way, they somehow seem more organic.

So I have added them to the menu this week, so you can give me your input. I hope in upcoming months to work on some different flavors/fillings.

Menu

Savory
Tri-Tip Beef Stroganoff with wild mushrooms served over noodles. $25/pan (9x13) or
$5/serving
mixed mushrooms, tri-tip, shallots, sweet paprika, non-fat yogurt

Slow Roasted pork with apple chili chutney served with fresh rolls $25/pan with rolls or $5/serving
pork, thyme fennel seeds, onion, apples

Crespeou - $5/piece
A savory cake using thin omelette's and layers of red, yellow and green. red onion, turmeric, green onion, tomatoes, red pepper, basil green chili, tarragon.

Vegetarian cauliflower, spinach and chickpea balti $5/serving
spinach, cauliflower, tomatoes, chickpeas, coriander, garam masala, chili powder, onions, ginger

Breakfast
Banana streusel donuts 6 for $4 or $2/donut

Side
Salt Lick Potato Salad (GOES GOOD WITH PORK) quart $5

Sweet
Organic Peanut Butter Pie $4/piece
a chocolate crust, , chocolate peanut butter coating and a light peanut butter filling (using organic peanut butter)

Butterscotch Cashew Bars $3 for 2 bars sweet, salty and chewy

French Macarons 6 cookies for $4 (should be eaten with in 3-5 days)filled with salted carmel, chocolate ganache and raspberry jam

NOTE: I have a freezer now at the office where we deliver so I will add ice cream back on the menu!
Snickerdoodle/lemon ice cream sandwiches $3

Double chocolate crepes $3
chocolate crepes, with chocolate filling

Breton Buckwheat cake with sea salt $4/slice

Cookbooks galore

Ok, I admit to having a terrible sickness. I collect cookbooks! My collection started at an early age and was quite well controlled for many years. I was able to keep all my cookbooks on one book shelf. Over the years as more and more cookbooks were published my collection grew. I now have so many cookbooks that my bookshelves are overflowing. I don't know what it is about them. I enjoy looking at them, reading them and referring to them. Much to my Mom's disgust, I have some cookbooks that look like they have been used. Splatters and spills adorn the pages. I have others that I have never cooked out of but just enjoyed reading. I have cookbooks from various parts of the world, cookbooks given to me as gifts and some that have just appeared on my shelf.



Ok, this week I have added some Irish inspired items for upcoming St. Paddy's Day! Deliveries 9-11am on Saturday.





Savory
Beef and Guinness Pie (large pie $25 small pie $5)
Even if you don’t like Guinness you will like this.

Sage and onion sausage tart (whole tart $15 or $4/piece)
Short-crust pastry, onions, sage leaves, sausage, honey, sesame seeds

Corned Beef Pasty ($4/pasty) - Pieces of delicate corned beef and shredded cabbage with Swiss cheese, topped with a stone ground mustard sauce.

Leek cannelloni with lemon thyme and provolone piccante - (9x13 dish $25 or $5/serving)
onion, provolone cheese, tomatoes, thyme, ricotta cheese, cannelloni shells

Carrot pancakes with hummus and roasted chili feta ($4/serving)
carrots, chickpeas, tahini, cumin (hummus), pancakes chillies, cumin, fennel, coriander, chickpea flour, semolina, feta cheese

Sides
Colcannon cakes with crisp pancetta and Stilton recipe ($4 for 2 cakes)
This is a traditional recipe with potatoes. Added in is cabbage, stilton, onion and topped with pancetta

Irish Soda Bread
Small Whole Loaf $4

Breakfast
Oatmeal,Pecan and Date Sticky Biscuits (whole pan 8x8 $12 individual $3/bun)
These are like sticky buns but made with biscuit batter. Medjool dates, buttermilk, oats, vanilla pecans, cinnamon

Irish scones
Irish currants added to a moist scone ($3/scone)

Sweet
Carmel Walnut Upside Down Cake ($4/piece)
Sticky brown-sugar Carmel with a super moist banana cake

Green Velvet Cupcakes/Dark Chocolate Cupcake with Bailey Irish Cream Frosting (6 for $10 or $2.50 each

Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake ($5/piece)
Irish Cream Liqueur, bittersweet chocolate, eggs. This is a cake with a mousse topping

Pineapple meringue pie ($4/piece)
coco crust with fresh pineapple and a meringue topping

These beautiful cookies were done by my friend Janet in England. She thought I might be missing home, hence, the British Isle Cookies. My very sweet Mother carried them all the way back. They are too pretty to eat so I am just enjoying looking at them and wishing she wasn't and 8 hr. plane ride away.

Soup

Sweet potato and sesame soup with coconut pesto $5/quart

coconut milk, cumin, sweet potatoes, red onions, pine nuts, soy sauce (low sodium)

Savory

Chicken and bean cassoulet (9x13 pan) $25 or $5/serving

organic chicken, carrots, tomatoes, lentils, cannellini beans, borlotti beans, chicken stock dijion

mustard, lemon, red wine, garlic.

Bacon, cheese and onion pastie $5/pastieLean bacon, cheese and fresh onion and potatoes in these hand pies

Quiche $20 (whole quiche) $5/piece
Ham, Spinach and Cheese

Vegetarian

Polenta pie with cheese and tomato sauce $4/servingbasil, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmigiana-reggiano

Paella style baked stuffed tomatoes $25/pan or $4/serving

A Spanish paella flavor filled with aborio rice, garlic, green peppers, saffron, parsley and Spanish paprika

Breakfast

Pain au Chocolat Cinnamon Rolls with Creme Fraiche Icing and Walnuts - pan $20 or $4/roll

Puff pastry, cinnamon, walnuts, creme fraiche, bittersweet chocolate

Morning Sunshine Muffins $4/muffin

raisins, walnuts, carrots, apples, pineapple unsweetened coconut

Sweets

Pear and Honey Custard tart $4/piece

Starthistle (local) and fresh pears

Flutternutter Cupcakes $4/cupcake

banana, organic peanut butter, homemade marshmallow cream, white chocolate frosting

Coffee Toffee Pie $5/piece

organic rice cereal, bittersweet chocolate, coffee,

Devils Food Cake with Brown Sugar Buttercream $5/piece

Old fashioned Devils Food Cake, made in 3 layers

Flourless Orange/Pomello Cake $4/piece

texture like flourless chocolate cake (moist) but using local oranges and pomellos

Cookies

White Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies 6 cookies $4

Oats, White Chocolate chunks, dried tart cherries.

Delivery 9am-11am

Cold Cure

Ok, so I was at the Nutrition Shop in Vacaville yesterday getting my yummy veggie sandwich and was talking to one of the girls who was looking for a cold cure. Here is what Tina (the manager at the store) told her. Elderberry is supposed to do wonders if you drinks in every 2 hours. It is a refreshing cold or hot drink. I thought this was interesting So did a little more research. Here is some information I found on the Internet that I thought I would share.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis) reduces viral infections, including the common cold and flu.

Elderberry works as a simple cleanser and as an antioxidant. It is also a diaphoretic, diuretic, and hepatic. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal, and acts as a mild laxative. This gentle herb is used for bronchitis, catarrh, common cold symptoms including coughs and sore throats, fevers, influenza, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, skin disorders, and hay fever.Two of the compounds found in Elder, alpha- and beta-amyrin palmitate, have been shown to exhibit strong antihepatotoxic activity, making it an excellent choice for combating liver damage. Other plant chemicals, the flavonoids, phenolic compounds and triterpenes, have antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities, with subtle “hormone-like” communication capabilities. This subtle herb can often avert problems before they get started, making it increasingly popular as an immune booster among people who have immune compromised health issues such as HIV. What is The Evidence? Elderberry’s use as a flu remedy dates back to Roman times. Current research shows a stimulation of antibody protection and a reduction of flu symptoms in three days or less. Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu of the Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that Elderberry disarmed the neuraminidase enzyme, which flu viruses use to penetrate healthy organism cells. Twenty per cent of her flu study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70 per cent within 48 hours, and 90 per cent were completely cured within three days. The subjects consuming Elderberry syrup also had higher levels of antibodies against the virus. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required six days to recover. Elderberry has been proven effective against eight strains of influenza. This gives it a stronger batting average than any antiviral vaccine.

Savory
Guadalajara Sweet Enchilada (9x13 pan $25 or 2 enchilada for $4)
These are savory with a little sweetness. Not overly spicy. A beef picadillo sauce, homemade tortillas and a sauce which includes a hint of chocolate. Topped with salad (served on side for re-heating).

Sausage with apples and grainy mustard braid($4/slice or $12 large braid)
pork sausage meat,apples, thyme puff pastry and grainy mustard

Spicy chicken hand pies $4/
Cumin, Coriander, pabalano pepper, homemade salsa and chicken in a shortcrust pastry.

Spinach and artichoke filo pie (piece $5)
fresh spinach, leeks, ricotta cheese, parm cheese, artichoke hearts, olive oil and filo pastry.

Soup
Roasted Vegetable Soup $5/quart
Seasonal Vegetables, Roasted in Olive Oil in a vegetable broth.

Breakfast

Date and Quinoa Muffins $2/muffin

Meyer Lemon Coffee Cake $4/piece

Sweet

Meyer Lemon Cookies (6 cookies $4)
Fresh Meyer Lemons can my way so this seemed like a good way to use them. Cookies drizzled with icing

Chocolate and Vanilla Custard Buns $3
Chocolate and vanilla custard fill these pinwheel buns

Butterscotch and Banana Crumble $4
Banana, homemade butterscotch, pecans, muscovado sugar and golden syrup.

Chocolate and Orange Tiramisu $5
I am still getting lots of great citrus so thought I would do a take on the tiramisu. Fresh oranges, dark chocolate and No coffee.

I have an order for apple Breton pie so if anyone else would like one or a piece that is on offer as well. $20 whole pie or $4/piece.

Deliveries 9am - 11pm

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Years!

Chinese New Year began on February 14th. Since the weekend was a busy one for us with Valentines Day, etc. I am playing catch up this week with a somewhat Asian inspired menu.

The Chinese New Year is one of the oldest festivals and most important festivals for the Chinese people. I love that Chinese New Years is not only a time to welcome in the New Lunar Year but also a time when families come together and feast. After all, anything to do with food always interest me! I also find the traditions of getting rid of the old and starting fresh in the New Year exciting. Many families sweep and clean their houses from top to bottom to rid any bad luck that may carry over to the next year. New clothes are purchased to symbolize a new start and red paper fortune scrolls are make sure of good fortune for the household. Then comes the food which offers many traditions such as serving a whole fish (the cutting of carries bad connotations, such as severing a family tie.

I was thinking, since my Western New Years didn't start off so well maybe I will adopt some of the Chinese traditions to make sure the rest of the year brings nothing but good fortune!

Deliveries 9am-11am at the Fairfield Office

Sweet Things

Croissant Bread Pudding, with dried cherries, bittersweet chocolate and toasted pecans $4/pudding

croissant soaked in a cream with tart dried cherries, chocolate and pecans.

Ginger Date Pudding Cake with Walnut Toffee Sauce $4/cake

A traditional English date pudding with a hint of ginger and a gooey walnut sauce.

Chocolate-Oatmeal Cupcakes with Maple Bacon Butter Cream $3/cupcake

This is a great combination and is a take on a recipe my favorite Asian Chef made for his bakery.

Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich $3/sandwich

Coconut Cookie with coconut ice cream

Peanut and Sesame Carmel Bars (adapted from Chez Pim - fellow blogger) $3/bar

Almond Cookies (6 cookies) $4

A traditional Asian Cookie these are different then the store-bought ones.

Breakfast

Vietnamese Coffee Cake $4/piece

Soup

Coconut Chicken Soup $6/quart

Chicken, Thai chili paste, coconut milk, lime and ginger

Savory

Chicken and Pine Nut dumplings with a chili dipping sauce (6 dumplings) $5

Roasted chicken, toasted pine nuts and a sweet/spicy chili sauce for dipping. Look like a pot-sticker.

Pork, Apple and Thyme Pot Pie $6/pie (5inch) or a tray (9x13) for $20

Almost like a pulled pork. Simmered all day with apples and thyme. Topped with Puff Pastry

Lunch Buns filled with Asian vegetables $4/bun

This is a bread dough filled with Asian vegetables.