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Saturday, August 30, 2008
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Clafouti
I am blessed to have a high tolerance for challenges (and I probably seek them out more than I should!), because this has been a challenging year indeed. I've already told y'all about my grandfather's struggle with cancer, and I am endlessly grateful for all your kind words. I am so relieved to be able to report that he is still striving along, and, improbably but truly, making positive strides towards recovery. He has awed his family and his doctors alike with his positive attitude - his doctor remarked that Grandee remains the only patient he's seen respond to a cancer diagnosis by saying firmly "great, we've figured out what's wrong - now we can fix it so I can get better!"
I am trying to keep Grandee's optimistic world view uppermost in my mind as I swim, sometimes with long and confident strokes, more frequently with flaling, frog-like gestures, through the most grueling educational experience of my life, and, most of all, as we deal with some health issues of our own that has brought us to the inside of more doctors' offices than we thought we would ever see at our relatively young age.
As we await the news of medical tests, and continue studying together, working, sweeping the floors, and praying, I've had to make some small changes. The laundry may not be folded as precisely, but I'm learning to be thankful that it's just clean and fresh. Our meals are more impromptu, and, I think, all the more joyous for that fact. The garden needs weeding, but I'm watching those weeds patiently and knowing that there will be a time for them - and in the meantime, they are a beautiful sign of the much needed rain we've finally received. And, sadly, I've had to take a sebatical from my beloved Daring Bakers... While I was with the incredible baking group for only a few challanges, I had to finally realize that I needed to wait a while until the right time to rejoin occurs... So, I will still be faithfully and eagerly visiting the Daring Bakers Blogroll each month to view the glorious baking triumphs - and I will look forward to rejoining in the near future.
In the meantime, we still continue to bake! I truly believe that foccusing on the fundamentals helps to get us through the most trying times, and ensuring comforting, nourishing meals is infinately soothing and stabilizing. I've been baking lots of hearty muffins lately, and I shall eagerly share our new favorite blueberry muffin recipe in the near future, but a few days ago I took the most glorious, classically lavish combination of dark chocolate and raspberries... and turned it into a blissfully breezy, light and healthful dessert (that's quite good for breakfast too!)
Even in the tense times, may we always celebrate - and remain ever-grateful that we are able to do so.
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Clafouti
3 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen and unthawed
1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 cup milk or soymilk
1 T lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
~ Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9" pie pan with cooking spray.
~ Scatter the raspberries and chocolate chips in the pie pan.
~ In a food processor, blend all the remaining ingredients until well blended and smooth.
~ Pour the batter over the raspberries and chocolate chips.
~ Bake for 55 to 65 minutes - until golden, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
~ Serve warm or cool, with whipped cream...
Oh.... my..... yum!!! :0)
ReplyDeleteYou're always inspiring with your confidence in challenges - I need to get more daring in the kitchen!!
Thank you for your incredibly sweet comment on my recent blog post :0)
How did you know that dark chocolate and raspberries are my two favorite foods EVER?!
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I have plenty of reasons to admire your grandfather's positive attitude.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog. YOur food looks wonderful but you sound like the most interesting person! You are going to be a true Renaissance woman. I loved reading your full circle eating experience, too. I was a vegetarian for many years, and I still gravitate towards meat free dishes, but I eat a bit of everything now.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about always finding time for baking and cooking. It really is about doing what you enjoy, and by doing these things, it's kind of like your "me" time, which in important with all the other engagements going on, right?
ReplyDeleteAnyways, chocolate and raspberries are a beautiful pair. I'd serve that on anything, even notebook paper :)
Are you guys safe where you are?
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of adding chocolate to a clafouti and of course it goes great with raspberries.
ReplyDeleteThat clafouti looks great.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are really there for your family, and it is sweet to hear the thoughts you have in your heart for your grandee and your grandfather. I wish him all the best with his recovery.
Srry to hear about all of your health issues, but great to hear you and your Grandee have a positive approach. This clafoutis looks marvellous - medicine in itself.
ReplyDeleteVeggieGirl, thank YOU - I am so honored by your words!
ReplyDeleteChocolate Covered Vegan, I couldn't agree more with your tastes in favorite foods! :-)
CookieMouse, my thoughts are with you... Thank you so much for your concern with our state in the hurricane - thankfully, Zach and I and our families are all well, and safe and sound. We all live outside of New Orleans, and even Zach's dad and stepmom, who live just north of NOLA, didn't suffer damage. Our thoughts and prayers are continually with the families who were affected, as we watch the news and hope the oncoming future weather will be kinder.
Prudy, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! I am so touched and honored by your sweet comment...
Adam, your words ring very true - the simple act of taking time to cook is so rejuvenating!
Kevin, many thanks!
Vegan Cowgirl, thank you so much for your kind and compassionate words...
CakeLaw, thank you for your beautiful thoughts...
What a glorious combination of flavors! Reminds me of the jelly rings that Joyva makes, a childhood favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your health problems, but it *looks* like from your most current post that you are out of the woods. I hope that is so. I didn't know about your "Grandee," but I am glad he is holding his own. : }
wow. fantastic. must try!
ReplyDelete