Mother's Day Around the Bend...

Happy Tuesday all! I didn't get to post yesterday (chalk it up to a tough Body Pump workout) so I wanted to make sure I got it in today! I hope you're not disappointed! Here are a few ideas for Mother's Day - a little something for every mom.

Finally get to use that waffle maker...
Crispy Waffles with salted Caramel Coulis
Yves Camdeborde, Bon Appetit May 2008

Ingredients
Salted caramel coulis:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt

Waffles:

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled
• Peanut oil
• Powdered sugar

Directions

For salted caramel coulis:

1. Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Add heavy whipping cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir over low heat until any caramel bits dissolve. Remove from heat. Stir in unsalted butter and fleur de sel or coarse salt. Transfer caramel to small pitcher or bowl. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over low heat just until warm enough to pour before using.

For waffles:

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk whole milk, 2 large eggs, and melted butter in medium bowl to blend. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients in large bowl and whisk until batter is smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let batter stand at room temperature.
2. Heat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions (medium-high heat). Brush grids lightly with peanut oil. Pour enough batter onto each waffle grid to cover generously (about heaping 1/2 cup batter for 4 1/2x3 1/2-inch grid); spread evenly with offset spatula. Close waffle iron and cook until waffles are golden brown and crisp on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Cut each waffle in half, forming either rectangles or triangles. Divide waffles among 4 plates. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with salted caramel coulis. Serve waffles, passing remaining salted caramel coulis separately.

For the sophisticated mom...who loves kid desserts...

Kelly Fudge Pop

Modern Art Desserts, Caitlin Freeman

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (227 g) high-quality bittersweet chocolate (62% to 70% cacao), coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups (10.4 oz / 290 g) heavy cream
• 1 cup (8.6 oz / 242 g) whole milk
• 1/4 cup (1.8 oz / 50 g) sugar
• 4 teaspoons natural (not Dutch-processed) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

1. Have ready 10 ice-pop molds. If your molds are flexible like the ones we use at the museum, set them on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Place the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl, add the vanilla extract, and set aside.
3. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking often to break up the lumps of cocoa powder, until bubbles start to form around the edges and the temperature of the mixture registers 180°F to 190°F on a digital thermometer.
4. Immediately pour the cream mixture over the chocolate and stir with a whisk or blend with an immersion blender until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is a smooth liquid (a thoroughly emulsified mixture will yield the most creamy fudge pop). Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a liquid measuring cup.
5. Pour the chocolate mixture into the ice-pop molds and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours or up to 2 weeks; follow the manufacturer's instructions for inserting the sticks. If you don't have ice-pop molds, pour the chocolate mixture into ice cube trays; freeze until partially frozen, about 30 minutes, and then insert a toothpick or short wooden skewer into each ice pop. Continue freezing until solid.
6. Unmold the fudge pops, dipping the molds into warm water to loosen, if needed, and serve.

Do Ahead: Stored in an airtight container, the fudge pops will keep for up to 2 weeks in the freezer.

Above and Beyond: This recipe works well in any ice-pop mold, but if you want to create a miniature edible Ellsworth Kelly sculpture in your home, see Resources to order the silicone ice-pop molds we use at the café. 

Resources: Medium ice-pop molds (4-ounce capacity): coldmolds.com

For the non-cake lover...

Meyer Lemon Crepe Cake

Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, melted, plus more, melted, for pan
• Meyer Lemon Curd Mousse
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
• Candied Meyer Lemons, optional

Directions

1. Whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually pour milk mixture into flour mixture, whisking until smooth. Whisk in butter. Pour through a fine sieve into an airtight container; discard lumps. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Lightly coat a 6-inch crepe pan or nonstick skillet with butter. Heat over medium heat until just starting to smoke. Remove from heat; pour about 2 tablespoons batter into center. Swirl to cover bottom. Reduce heat to medium-low; return pan to heat. Cook until edges are golden and center is dry, about 30 seconds per side.
3. Slide crepe onto an overturned plate. Repeat with remaining batter, coating pan with butter as needed, and stacking crepes. Let cool.
4. Place 1 crepe on a flat serving dish. Spread about 1/4 cup lemon curd mousse onto crepe. Top with 1 crepe. Continue layering crepes and mousse. (Use 15 crepes, ending with a crepe on top.) Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
5. Top crepe cake with whipped cream and 3 or 4 candied lemon slices.

For the whimsical mom...

Vanilla Cream-Filled Doughnuts

Joanne Change, Flour Bakery + Cafe

Ingredients

• 1 package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast or 2/3 ounce (18 grams) fresh cake yeast
• 2/3 cup (160 grams) milk, at room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups (490 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups (270 grams) sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 eggs
• 7 tablespoons (3/4 stick/100 grams) butter, at room temperature, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
• Canola oil, for frying

Vanilla Cream Filling

• 6 tablespoons (90 grams) heavy cream
• Pastry Cream, chilled
• 
  

Directions

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the yeast and milk. Stir together briefly, then let sit for about 1 minute to dissolve the yeast. Add the flour, 1/3 cup (70 grams) of the sugar, the salt, and the eggs and mix on low speed for about 1 minute, or until the dough comes together. Then, still on low speed, mix for another 2 to 3 minutes to develop the dough further. Now, begin to add the butter, a few pieces at a time, and continue to mix for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is soft and cohesive.
2. Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 15 hours.
3. Lightly flour a baking sheet. On a well-floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch square about 1/2 inch thick. Using a 3 1/2- to 4-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 9 doughnuts. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot to proof for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are about doubled in height and feel poufy and pillowy.
4. When ready to fry, line a tray or baking sheet large enough to hold the doughnuts with paper towels. Pour oil to a depth of about 3 inches into a large, heavy saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until hot. To test the oil, throw in a pinch of flour. If it sizzles on contact, the oil is ready. (It should be 350 degrees if you are using a thermometer.) Working in batches, place the doughnuts in the hot oil, being careful not to crowd them. Fry on the first side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown. Then gently flip them and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown on the second side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the doughnuts to the prepared tray and let cool for a few minutes, or until cool enough to handle.
5. Place the remaining 1 cup (200 grams) sugar in a small bowl. One at a time, toss the warm doughnuts in the sugar to coat evenly. As each doughnut is coated, return it to the tray to cool completely. This will take 30 to 40 minutes.
6. To make the vanilla cream filling: While the doughnuts are cooking, whip the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold it into the pastry cream . You should have about 3 cups.
7. When doughnuts are completely cooled, poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, spacing it equidistant between the top and bottom. Fit a pastry bag with a small round tip and fill the bag with the filling. Squirt about 1/3 cup filling into each doughnut. Serve immediately.

Happy baking!