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May Monthly Miettes

Buttermilk panna cotta

Buttermilk Panna Cotta

“It was the end of May before the Silacci boys brought the news that the salmon-pink blossoms of the azaleas were breaking free. It was on a Wednesday, as the nine o’clock bell was ringing, that they told him.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It is in the month of May that we finally know spring in the Salinas Valley. The local lettuce harvest is in full swing. Produce trucks filled with lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, artichokes, celery and more clog the highways and roads on the way to the local cooling and shipping facilities. The Valley is bustling with planting, growing, harvesting and shipping. A most perfect time for seasonal fruit and an indulgent Panna Cotta. READ MORE . . .

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April Monthly Miettes

Lemon Tarts

Lemon Tarts

“All during school next day Abra felt good about going to see Lee. She met Cal in the hall between classes. Did you tell him I was coming? He’s started some kind of tarts, said Cal.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

This month’s Monthly Miette baking challenge is tarts! How to choose? The Miette Cookbook includes recipes for Chocolate Truffle, Lime Meringue, Lemon, Fresh Fruit, Banana Cream and Pecan! I narrowed down my choices to family favorites. I would make either Chocolate Truffle or Lemon. For Easter I had made a decadent and sinfully rich flourless chocolate cake. Now it was time to indulge my well-documented love of citrus. I was not disappointed; this is another irresistible recipe from the Miette cookbook. The lemon curd is intoxicating. Puddled inside the rich Pâte Sucrée crust the curd is velvety smooth, whispering luscious lemon flavor. Truly a Lemon Tart that will satisfy any serious citrus craving. READ MORE . . .

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Monthly Miettes

Miette Tomboy Cake

Miette Tomboy Cake and freshly-cut pink garden roses

“It sure is nice, said Trixie. Jenny’s girls came over for Faye’s birthday cake and they couldn’t believe their eyes.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I discovered San Francisco’s Miette Bakery during the Scharffen Berger Bakery Crawl last fall. The bakery is an oasis of shimmering pale pink and creamy mint-green, a celebration of sweetness in sight and taste. I purchased the Miette cookbook and after daydreaming about the multi-faceted recipes, set the book aside until Aimee started a blogging challenge—Monthly Miettes. The challenge requires baking a recipe of Aimee’s choice, from the Miette cookbook, each month. In doing so, I would challenge myself to become a better baker. Such ambition! READ MORE . . .