Cream puffs for croquembouche were one of the Five Little Things I loved on January 8, 2015.

Five Little Things

Five little things I loved this week: 1. Croquembouche My daughter had one request for her birthday. Not a cake, not her favorite Filipino treat, but croquembouche. And I was ready for the challenge. The elements of this tower of delight I have tackled before.…

Cream puffs for croquembouche were one of the Five Little Things I loved on January 8, 2015.
Five Little Things

Cream puffs for croquembouche were one of the Five Little Things I loved on January 8, 2015.

Five little things I loved this week:

1. Croquembouche

My daughter had one request for her birthday. Not a cake, not her favorite Filipino treat, but croquembouche. And I was ready for the challenge. The elements of this tower of delight I have tackled before. The cream puffs, the pastry cream, and the caramel – I know how to make those things. So the biggest challenge would be putting the three together into a spectacular tower. Well, my tower was not quite so spectacular, and the tower began to fall, so I need to find a better caramel method. I have a few more months to practice, since my son has already requested a croquembouche for his next birthday, because looks aside, it tasted delicious and received big thumbs up from our guests.

2. A Taste for Life

Making the croquembouche reminded me that children can be adventurous with their palates, and how happy this makes me. This article speaks to how the children in French cultivate their taste for life.

3. Snow!

I’m missing it from afar. We usually go skiing this time of year, and with all the snow Tahoe is enjoying, we’re sorely missing it! So I’m living vicariously through others. Like this dad. But don’t try it at home, please.

4.Skillet Meals


My cast iron skillet has been getting a lot of use this week. Between frittatas and one skillet meals like Roasted Chicken Sausages with Brussels Sprouts, Fennel and Potatoes, I can’t stop! Here are more ways to use your cast iron skillet:

Mixed Berry Galette
Spice Roasted Cornish Hens with Sweet Potatoes
Skillet Soda Bread
Baked Eggs with Cheese Pancetta Biscuits
Stovetop Rhubarb-Cherry Crisp

5. Please Pass the Tissues

I think you’ll need it after this.

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

Comments

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  1. Mary

    You predicted correctly Liren, the Idol video is a tear-jerker.  Happy Birthday to your little/big Girl!

    Reply
  2. Gina

    Happy Birthday to your sweet little lady and Happy New Year to all of you.  I bet the kids went crazy over the tower, I’m sure the next one will be a skyscraper.  I don’t know if enough of the cream puffs would make it to the tower over here, I love those little things.  So glad to have seen you recently and wishing you the best year yet.  
    -Gina-

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Thank you, Gina! You know what, I think we all agree that cream puffs with a drizzle of caramel would be just fine – though my son definitely wants me to try for the tower again. We’ll see :)

      So glad we were able to see one another, too, and hope it’s not too long before we catch up in person again. xo

      Reply
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