Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Joie De Vivre ~

I have been reading this delightful book, Joie De Vivre. In it the author, who is a chef, speaks about the importance of food in daily french life...how it is purchased, prepared, consumed, all which adds to the joy of life, joie de vivre. And who couldn't use a little more of that.



According to him the usual french breakfast consist of a bowl of excellent coffee and tartine, made from slices of a day old baguette, spread with jam; strawberry seems to be a favorite...homemade if at all possible. Croissant and brioche are saved for Sundays and special occasions.

Since I do not have a neighborhood boulangerie my breakfast consists of a bowl of Wheat Bran cereal, a piece of whole wheat toast and tea. Healthy but a little boring. So last Sunday I decided to indulge my french fascination and have a little treat. In this case it meant making French Breakfast Puffs. Where this name came from who knows, this recipe is from an ancient Betty Crocker cookbook and certainly isn't french. But like many french foods it is delicious.

Be forewarned, when warm from the oven it is hard to stop at one!

Now what will I make for next Sunday...? Life is short, everyone deserves a little Sunday treat.



~ French Breakfast Puffs ~

Mix thoroughly...
1/3 cup soft shortening (part butter)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

Sift together...
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Stir in alternately with..1/2 cup milk

Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Immediately roll in...
6 tbsp. butter, melted
Then in mixture of ...
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Makes between 8 to 12 muffins depending on the size of your muffin tin.


Enjoy!




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12 comments:

  1. This looks like such a charming and Entertaining book! I will look for it. A friend of mine recently sent me a wonderful book titled ~ Lunch in Paris, A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard. If you have not read it, I think you might enjoy it. By the way, I usually eat oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast, so your recipe will be a weekend treat!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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    1. Thank you for the book recommendation...I checked with the library and they have a copy, I am going to pick it up today.

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  2. I own that book too and frequently re-read it for inspiration...I have been starting my day with a big bowl of espresso and foamed milk. I got hooked on this in Paris last Spring. In the south of France where I stayed for a week the women all make jam...there is such an amazing amount of fresh fruit that all comes ripe at the same time that you cannot eat it all and freezers are not as common over there as they are here in North America....hence preserves and jams. The women I met take a tablespoon and stir it into their yogurt and eat that with a chunk of yesterday's baguette....and they stay very slim too!

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    1. I don't think I will get into making traditional jam but next year I will definitely make some strawberry freezer jam...and maybe some peach jam too. I love the idea of putting a bit into yogurt, sounds yummy.

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  3. Wow that looks super yummy. My hubby works in England now and I have been traveling back and forth to Europe and that has me drinking tea now instead of coffee. And I must say I have been enjoying it more! I am blogging again if you would like to follow along it was great visiting with you ~Heather

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  4. Looks like a baked doughnut. Sounds delicious. The photo with the empty plate is delightful

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  5. Bonjour chère amie,

    Une très jolie publication qui met à l'honneur notre gastronomie, pâtisserie et boulangerie française...
    Merci pour ce beau partage... et si dimanche vous êtes près de chez moi, entrez et je vous inviterai à une dégustation ! J'adore cuisiner.

    Gros bisous ♡

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  6. We sure can get in a rut, can't we? I always like to have something a little different on the weekends.
    The book sounds really good and I will have to put that on my list to read.
    I love the homemade jams and jellies. I love love apple butter and I am going to make some as soon as apples get a little cheaper in the stores. That is so good on croissants. Trader Joe's has some that are frozen. Just take them out the night before and let them rise and bake. They are excellent, especially the ones with chocolate in the center.
    Have a great weekend and many thanks for the recipe.
    Mary

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    1. Thank you for telling me about the TJ croissants, if you can bake them at home they would be so much better!

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  7. Thank you for this post in reminding me to enjoy and make myself a nice treat on weekends and splurge a bit! I love the way the French make a meal look and taste so much better with a daily trip to the farmers market.
    I will have to check this book out! I should start this coming weekend with making your recipe for French Breakfast Puffs. Thank you for sharing! Pinned.

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  8. Adrienne, sounds and looks delicious. When we are in San Diego there is a little french bistro that we go to for breakfast. We have coffee and toast with strawberry jam. It is delicious..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  9. I usually have a smoothie for breakfast so this French breakfast puff looks amazing…can't wait to try!!

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