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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Bastille Day

Thanks to everyone who entered the olive oil giveaway last week.  After searching for a random number generator, I found one on random.org--who knew there even was such a site?  The winner is Nami from the terrific blog Just One Cookbook.

Yes, we have a French flag. 
David is obsessed with flags.
My friends Scott and Kathy used to celebrate Bastille Day every year--sadly, they've deserted Alaska and moved to Kentucky, but this year David and I hosted a small Bastille Day dinner to keep the tradition strong.

Since it's been chilly and rainy here in Anchorage, David made Julia Child's beef bourguignon and ratatouille, and I whipped up a frozen white chocolate mousse dessert (coming Friday!) and some savory madeleines.

You read that right.  Savory madeleines. My mouth waters just thinking about them.

We had two couples over for dinner, so David proposed that I halve the original recipe because two madeleines per person sounded like enough.  I refused, which was the right decision.  These little suckers are good, and there wasn't a leftover madeleine to be had.

If you don't have a madeleine pan lying around, the recipe suggested a mini muffin tin--not a bad idea, though obviously not as pretty.

Make sure that your pear is really ripe--mine was not quite there, and had less flavor as a result.

Blue Cheese, Pear and Hazelnut Madeleines
Adapted from Chocolate & Zucchini by Clotilde Dusoulier

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp. sea salt
3/4 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 oz. blue cheese, finely crumbled
1 ripe pear, cored and diced
1/3 hazelnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a small bowl and set aside.  In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt and pepper, then add the buttermilk, oil and crumbled cheese.

Whisk the dry mixture into the wet one until just combined, then fold in the pear and hazelnuts.

Spritz your madeleine pan thoroughly with baking spray with flour, and then fill the molds two-thirds of the way full with batter.

Bake for about sixteen to eighteen minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of them comes out clean.  Cool for a few minutes on a baking rack before unmolding.

Makes twenty-four madeleines. 


26 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh... brilliant idea. I bet those would be just perfect for a proper tea time. Wait, that's England...

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  2. Oh my goodness, what a great combination of flavors. These sound incredible!

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  3. thank you happy to hear from you :) these madeleines look delicious I didn't know they have madeleines with pepper in it interesting :)

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  4. Congratulations to Nami for winning the olive oil! I'm jealous! :) Just going through the ingredients for these madeleines, my mouth is watering. Interesting combo with the blue cheese and hazelnut.

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  5. Go Nami! Congratulations girl!

    Now onto these delicious madeleines, I don't think I've ever had the savory kind but they sounds incredibly delicious! love the blue cheese and hazelnut combination.

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  6. Congrats to Nami. I will need to use the muffin tray because I don't have the Madeleine baking tray. You added black pepper inside, wow I am loving it and these you baked looks great.

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  7. Yay for Nami!! What a wonderful idea... savory madeleines! Sign me up because I will always take savory over sweet. :)

    PS.. We rented Big Miracle from video on demand and I was thrilled to bits to see you in it. :) It was a great movie and my entire family enjoyed it. We watched it twice. :)

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  8. what an interesting recipe! must try!

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  9. Oh you made me miss Paris. I loved being there for Bastille Day -so much fun. Your Madeleines look and sound so yummy:)!

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  10. Happy Bastille Day! Very delicious looking Madeleines - Proust would be proud!

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  11. Congrats Nami!
    I just love your savory madeleines and can only imagine how delicious they tasted!The addition of pear and hazelnuts in there with the blue cheese sound so so delicious!Need a bite right now :)

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  12. Thank you so much for the olive oil! It's a fancy WS one. I'm so looking forward to it. :D

    Wow, blue cheese + pear + hazelnuts? That's a whole new madeleines for me and if your mouth water, then mine will too! Sounds like you had a nice get-together with friends. I am hosting a get-together with another family and having headache thinking about menus...

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  13. Congrats to Nami :D
    If anyone is deserving it is her! I love your savoury madeleine creation, what a stunner!
    Happy Bastille Day (we celebrated in French class ;)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  14. Those sound delicious! Your dinner menu has me wishing for cooler weather so I could make those dishes. Alas, not going to happen in 105 degree weather!

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  15. Congrats to Nami, and what gorgeous Madeleines - great flavour combination

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  16. Wow, those madeleines look delicious, awesome combo of flavors! Happy Bastille Day!

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  17. Yummy! These look so fantastic!

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  18. I so love a Madeleine, reminds me of my grandmother, but never saw a savory one.Adore pears and blue cheese!

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  19. No, I don't have a madeleine pan but I really want to get one. And I haven't had a savory one before but these look amazing. Sorry to hear the summer hasn't arrived for you yet. It's got to be on its way! xx

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  20. Oh what a great idea! I need to get myself a Madeleine pan for my new house!

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  21. That flavor combination is one of my favorites. I definitely could not have been trusted around these. :)

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  22. Oh my -- these Blue Cheese, Pear and Hazelnut Madeleines look unbeliveably divine! I'm sure they were a perfect accompainment for your bourguignon and ratatouille. Your gust were very lucky!

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  23. Your madeleines look (and sound) terrific! In fact, your whole menu sounds incredible!!!

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  24. I LOVE the savory element to your Madeleine's!!!

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  25. I love the idea of savoury madeleines! The only time I celebrated Bastille Day was the summer I spent the month of July in France, but what a great idea to celebrate it wherever you are!

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