Lemon Cream & Strawberry Crepes

I love crepes.

Making crepes has taught me so much. I've learned technique...how my stove cooks...how long to let the pan heat...the sound the butter makes when the pan is ready for the batter...how to swirl, flip, and slide it on to a plate. I've learned to embrace my crashed crepes...you know, usually the first of the batch that tear, fold, crash into a mess in the pan. 

You don't rush crepes. You practice crepes.

Once you get in a rhythm, crepe making is peaceful. It's rather methodical. I find that I look for reasons to make crepes. 

This particular crepe recipe is filled with something sweet. 

I use the La Bonne Femme Master Crepe Recipe for these, but you can use your favorite store bought or tried and true recipe. I found the filling recipe on Pinterest (Love Bakes Good Cakes).

Here's what you need for this super easy, ultra delicious recipe:

1/2 cup lemon curd

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 pint strawberries- chopped

Here's how to make it:

Make crepes according to La Bonne Femme (or favorite) recipe. Beat curd and cream on high for 3-5 minutes.

Oh my! I heart lemon curd!!! It was actually the filling in our wedding cake.

So- then you spread the lemon cream mixture along the bottom of the crepe. Top with strawberries.

Then just roll them up, drizzle a little more cream, top with strawberries, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Voilà! Lemon-Strawberry-Crepey Goodness!!!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Fluffy Mickey Waffles with Fresh Strawberry Syrup!

These waffles are so light and fluffy, and the strawberry sauce was delicious!

I think brunch is mu favorite meal. It feels celebratory...plus Smiling Mickey Waffles...I'm not sure it gets better than that!

The Mickey Waffles from Disney World are my favorites. They are thick- more like Belgium waffles. This iron is not from Disney World. These turn out a bit more like pancakes than waffles; but they still have smiling Mickey faces...and that makes me happy!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 large eggs, separated, 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 cups whole milk, 4 Tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in another bowl. Then add milk, butter and vanilla to egg yolks- whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture to the egg-milk mixture. Whisk till blended- do not over mix.

In another bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold whites into the egg-milk mixture.

Pre-heat waffle iron and then spray the with cooking spray if necessary.
Fill reservoir half way and close lid. It takes about 2 minutes to cook.

Now for the strawberry sauce....
Ingredients:
1 lb fresh strawberries (hulled and diced), 1 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp fresh orange juice, 1/2 tsp finely grated orange zest.

Combine all the ingredients and bring them to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until strawberries are soft and the syrup is thickened and reduced by 1/3 in volume, 15 to 18 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool before serving. 

I found this Emeril Lagasse recipe on my Food Network App.

The waffles were so light and delicious. 

I liked the syrup (the Hubs loved it), but it was a bit sweet for me. I tend to like fresh fruits and sweet cheeses with my morning pastries.

But if you have a sweet tooth- this syrup will be perfect!

Happy Brunching!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

PS- La Bonne Vie is getting a new look. I don't know if you noticed, but you are now seeing us at labonneviecookingdiary.com !

Stay tuned to see improvements to the site!!!

Oscar Night Eats & Treats!

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams!

The menu:
Seared Scallops, Roasted Asparagus, Caviar Tarts & Golden-White Chocolate Strawberries.

Mason and I loved the movies! 

My love for old movies came from my grandfather. At the age of 8, my favorite movie was Gone With the Wind.

Mason and I often went to the movies. She always had to have her diet coke and small popcorn.

One year, she hosted a small Oscars gathering at her home...she made sure that there was popcorn!

In honor of Mason (and my grandfather) I came up with a special Oscars menu.

While I finished preparing our Oscar treats, the Hubs and I snacked on Cajun crab dip.
I found this one at the seafood counter of Publix.

Alton Brown taught me how to sear scallops.

Heat 2 tsp (each) of butter and olive oil over high heat. Make sure that your scallops are very dry and season them with salt and pepper. 

When the butter first begins to release steam place he scallops in the pan. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. 

Perfectly seared scallops!

In the meantime, Ina Garten taught me to roast asparagus. I might never eat asparagus any other way again!

Cover asparagus in olive oil and lay it evenly, and in one layer, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast for 20 to 25 minutes (depending on the size of your spears) on 400 degrees.

Now for the Caviar Tarts!

Ingredients: Mini fillo shells, boursin- shallot and chives, Black Lumpfish Caviar 

We did not purchase expensive caviar; simple, black lumpfish is inexpensive and still gave us a fancy feel for the occasion.

I softened the boursin and pipped it into the shells. I then topped the cheese with the caviar.

It is a salty, savory treat!

Golden- White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

White chocolate bakers bark and gold gem candy make these golden goodies!

These are so festive...and so easy to make!

I dipped the strawberries and sprinkled the golden gems on some and drizzled regular chocolate on others. YUM!

Mason loved theming- she would have loved these movie themed plates I found at Party City!

Remy- in his top hat!

It was fun and fancy evening! 

We're sending you Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Pancakes, Blintz Creme & Grand Marnier Soaked Strawberries...Oh My!

This is a delicious breakfast! I like to dress up simple pancakes for an easy (and slightly fancy) brunch!!!

Add 1.5 cups of ricotta cheese, 4 oz cream cheese, 3 Tbsp powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp of lemon juice to a food processor

I am loving my new Ninja food processor!!!
Can you see Pumpkin supervising in the background?

Blend until creamy and smooth.

I use my egg slicer to slice strawberries in perfectly thin slices.

I added 1 Tbsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of Grand Marnier to a small bowl of sliced strawberries.
I allowed these to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes

I like whole wheat pancakes, but you can make whatever you like...this blintz creme goes well with any pancake.

Top with Grand Marnier soaked strawberries and your favorite syrup.
Honey would be good too!

This might be a good one for Valentines weekend!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!