Thanksgiving in Paris

Every year since moving to Paris we have hosted a Friendsgiving for those who might not have a place to indulge in all things pie-related. While we always make sure to have a few classic Thanksgiving staples, we also make room on the table for a few French classics. One year we included a traditional French cheese course which proved to be overkill after multiple servings of mashed potatoes. This year I have partnered with famed department store Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann to celebrate the delicious possibilities of Thanksgiving in Paris.  

I gave a couple of French dessert classics a tiny Thanksgiving twist. Madeleines are a favorite treat of many here in France and can be prepared with various accents like lemon or orange blossom. For this version I added maple syrup, making for a perfect autumnal bite. If you happen to be cooking in the kitchen this year, they also provide a blissful sweet pause with your morning coffee or tea. I sourced most of my ingredients from Lafayette Gourmet which is now open on Sundays. For those of us living in Paris that's truly something to be thankful for this holiday season. 

I borrowed inspiration from Tartine Bakery in San Francisco for my cranberry frangipane tart. It's the perfect balance of tart and tangy cranberries against the sweetness of almond cream. I created it for my Thanksgiving meal using a beautiful tart pan made by deBuyer who has been producing beautiful culinary objects since 1830!  To finish up your holiday shopping and plan your next visit to Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann or Lafayette Gourmet click here. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Maple Madeleines

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 1/3 cup of caster sugar
• 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 2 teaspoons of maple syrup
• Icing sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. Reheat oven to 375 degrees(190C) Butter and flour your madeleine pan thoroughly.
2. Melt butter and let cool to room temperature.
3. In a small bowl beat eggs, vanilla and salt at high speed until light in color.
4. While continuing to beat, gradually add sugar and continue to beat on high until the mixture becomes thick and pale, 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Sift flour into egg mixture in three additions, folding gently each time.
6. Add maple syrup and the melted butter. Gently fold butter and syrup into batter. Spoon batter into the molds.
7. Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until cakes are golden.
8. Use the edge of a knife to loosen the cakes from the pan. Invert onto a cooling rack.
9. Dust with icing sugar and eat immediately.

• Cranberry Frangipane Tart

Ingredients for the cranberry sauce:

• 3 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries
• Orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of caster sugar

Ingredients for Frangipane:

• 1 cup (114grams) finely ground whole blanched almonds or almond flour
• 1/2 cup of caster sugar
• 3 tablespoons of all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• zest of 1 orange

Ingredients for Pastry:

• 200 grams of all purpose flour
• 100 grams of cold butter, cubed
• 50 grams of caster sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 egg yolk

Directions: Heat Oven to 180c

1. In a saucepan, combine half of the cranberries with orange zest, sugar and cinnamon. Cook on medium heat for 7 to 10 minutes until cranberries burst and it starts to thicken.
2. Stir in remaining berries and cook for just two more minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate.
3. To make pastry combine flour, butter and a pinch of salt into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the 50g of sugar and pulse again.
4. Add the vanilla, egg yolk and 1 to 2 tablespoons of ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together.
5. Shape dough on a floured work surface into a disc and then roll out your pastry with a rolling pin.
6. Line your loose-bottomed tart tin, pressing the dough up into the sides of tin. Chill for 30 minutes and start your frangipane.
7. Using the paddle attachment beat the butter until creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add sugar and continue beating on medium high until light and fluffy.
8. Gradually add in your eggs, beating well after each addition.
9. Stir in your almonds, flour, orange zest and salt. Spoon the frangipane into the tart case and smooth over with a palette knife.
10. Transfer to a baking tray and bake for 30 to 40 mins.
11. Leave the tart to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.. Spoon your cranberry mixture atop the tart and serve with freshly whipped cream.