Thursday, April 19, 2012

French Friday with Dorie: Coconut Friands

A NEW FAVORITE GOURMET CAKELET
JUST FINISHED BAKING--CAN'T WAIT TO TASTE
LOTS OF FUN SHAPES TO MAKE MINI DESSERTS
I FOUND THESE 1/2 SIZE FINANCIER  PANS IN MY CUPBOARD --AFTER BUTTERING AND SUGARING EACH HOLE, THE CAKELETS CAME OUT PERFECTLY
I looked forward to doing some baking today.  It has been one of those weeks.  Finishing taxes for 2011 and more for the first quarter of 2012, many hours working on some big projects for the Town of Gilbert, taking No. 1 son to lots of physical therapy...LOTS!!!  (He was hit in hubby’s work truck by a red light runner talking on a cell phone...he is OK but in lots of pain), dealing with insurance companies, sending kids with a special grandkiddie back to college located in another state, (very hard to do...especially cute and precious Baby M), etc.  In other words, not doing much of anything I had planned...you know, life.  It happens.

I EXPERIMENTED WITH SEVERAL PAN SIZES--LOVED MINI SIZES
I read through the recipe for Coconut Friands, which looked good, but it is something a little different from a similar favorite, Coconut Macaroons.  I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect.  I also read through Dorie's Financiers recipe as a comparison and decided that as a stress reliever, I would also bake these recipes to do my own comparison. 

Between all my stuff for today, I rushed during every possible opportunity to get my baking project completed.  I did a little every time I was home for 5 or 10 minutes.  Found baking pans, got out ingredients, put eggs and butter out to become room temperature, chopped chocolate, etc.  And finally at almost midnight, I’m calling it a day.   It’s time to get my post ready so that I’ll be ready to rush around again tomorrow.  Keeps me young.  (That’s what I tell myself.)

FRESHLY BAKED FINANCIERS WITH A DIFFERENT SHAPE
After reading the recipes and searching the internet for a few photos (none in Dorie’s book), I decided to make today’s assigned recipe, but with one change: I zested a freshly picked orange, added the zest to the batter, and during the fridge time that batter became incredible!!!  Amazing!!!  That coconut with orange zest batter was so fragrant and sweet...well, I was blown away.  So much better than I could have imagined it would be.  Totally a winning experience to taste these morsels of deliciousness.

1/2 SIZE FINANCIERS
This recipe is a new, very special treat for me...I can’t say enough good about it.  Elegant yet robust flavors and outstanding texture.  I’m truly amazed when food turns out to be this good!   This is a blue ribbon recipe!!!

When these friands came out of the oven, No. 1 Son was laying on the couch, unsuccessfully trying to find a comfortable position.  He hobbled over to be my taster and was very impressed with these little gourmet cakelets.  He asked to take several home.  That always makes me happy.

FINANCIERS WITH ALMOND FLOUR AND GARNISHED WITH A FRESH BLACKBERRY BAKED ON TOP


Next I made the Financiers, which are a similar recipe, but with almond flour instead of coconut, and I added fruit...fresh blackberries, to the tops before baking.  I’m sure our group will bake these later as an assigned recipe, but being unfamiliar with exactly what Financiers are and how they would compare to the friands, I wanted to give them a try.

Again, fabulous!  Wonderful flavors in these simple, quality desserts.  I now know why they have been so very popular for such a long time in France as well as other parts of our world.  It’s great to have them as a new part of my world.  Many other types of fruits could have been used as a garnish, but since I had blackberries in the fridge, they were my choice.  I gave these cakelets a bam of confectioner’s sugar before serving, and they were superb.

HOT OUT OF THE OVEN--CHOCOLATE FINANCIERS
Last, badly needing chocolate, I made the Chocolate Fianciers.  Little bites of heaven.  Need I say more.

CHOCOLATE MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH PERFECTION
These desserts have been perfected over the years by many great bakers, and now they are mine.  Thank you, thank you to those before me who have cared enough about these sweet treasures to create recipes that I can have in perfect form the first time from my oven.  Thank you, Dorie, for adding these recipes to your wonderful book.  All versions are keepers.

While taking No. 1 Son home, Hubby came home late...working on a court case where he will be an expert witness tomorrow.  He sent me a text letting me know he found treasures in the kitchen that are delicious.  Nice.

I had plenty remaining to take a plate of these treats to my Frolicking Night Owl daughter and family as a Good Luck Wish for their big concert tomorrow...actually two concerts tomorrow.  It is a huge undertaking.  Hundreds are involved in the choirs and orchestra...a very high end professional event.  My little Penguin has a solo part where she will sing in the concert hall with a huge back-up choir and with a full orchestra.  The hall is sold out...thousands will hear her.  This will be a great experience for her young life and Frolicking Night Owl is a wonderful violinist with the orchestra.

READY TO ENJOY
Anyway, I’m tired.  My post is rambling on and on and probably does not make lots of sense to anyone but me. 

There are not many recipes that catch my attention so completely. These cakelets are a delight and I will make them over and over often. 

Hope everyone enjoys Coconut Friands as much as I do.

18 comments:

  1. Wow - that was definitely a ringing endorsement. I am impressed that you hand financier pans...
    I can't deal with shredded coconut, but these did seem like they had a lovely cake like base. Sometime when I can experiment, I will have to try a coconut free version.
    Good luck to all on the concert! Sounds like a big night.

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  2. Wow, Kris, you've truly out done yourself! I LOVE the idea of adding orange zest & will definitley try that next time. I also love all your great pans. I'm glad you baked the Financiers, too, as I was curious about them. Each variety looks just perfect!

    You certainly have a lot on your plate! Best wishes for the concert tonight!

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  3. Thanks for the late night goodies!! I enjoyed a few too many of them. :)

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  4. OMG, all those treats! Yum! It would be hard not to go into a sugar head rush!

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  5. That bottom picture looks like a window display from a bakery ... gorgeous! You were very busy!

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  6. Wow! You definitely went the extra mile and made gorgeous little cakes! I used lemon zest in 1/2 of mine and we loved it. We also loved them plain. I bet the orange is delicious!

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  7. busy lady! It was nice of you to share all your goodies!!!

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  8. Wow....you make them looks so nice especially those with fresh fruits on them :) I added fresh fruits to mine too and it turned out great...delicious !

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  9. Orange zest! Chocolate! Great ideas. I'll be trying those variations next time for sure!

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  10. Kris, Your house looks like a bakeshop, with the most gorgeous goodies…I’m sure your family really enjoyed these delectable cakes! Just incredible! Have a great weekend!

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  11. I can't believe how many cakes you made! Wow! Your house would have looked and smelled like a bakery! How wonderful! Baking really is a nice break from life. I guess it's practicing unintentional mindfulness!

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  12. I am so sorry to hear about your son, but he is lucky to have you to take care of him. I hope he gets some relief from the pain and gets better soon. Your friands are gorgeous, Kris! I love all the different shapes and flavors and would love to make some chocolate ones. It is nice to know what a financier pan looks like - I will have to keep an eye out for one when I am thrifting.

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  13. Wow, Kris, what an incredible assortment of sweets. I love all the shapes and flavors you prepared. I don't care for shredded coconut so took a break this week. The almond version looks good though. If you had any free time (which I know you don't), you could definitely open a very successful bakery.

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  14. Kris, What can I say. You astound and exhaust me. I think I should be writing this comment in CAPITAL letters. Your friands and financiers looked gorgeous and, of course, they were delicious. I was happy to manage making one batch and you made, How Many? I still am reeling from your lemon loaf and mini-desserts from Tuesday. Ohhhhhhh, I need to pick up my game. I LOVE reading about your life, rambling or not (and, I didn't think you were). I hope your son heals quickly (it will take time, I am betting) and that your hubby was dynamite with his testimony. Mary

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  15. Wow - I am in awe of all the different types and shapes of friand that you have made.

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  16. Wow! You have outdone yourself...so many amazing shapes and different recipes!!! Hope this will be a better week for you~

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  17. Kris - I cannot believe how much you made last week! You should get an award for all that baking and taking care of your family. You definitely are an inspiration to all of us, just reading this is making me get out of the glum slump I've been in this week. That little addition of orange zest is perking me up :)

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