I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We woke up to grey skies, howling wind and rain – quite unusual weather for us. I always seem to remember the sun shining on Easter Sunday. Easter is a time for goodies and at the end of the day we ended up with a sundry collection of chocolate bunnies, eggs and a local sweet made only at Easter time – figolli.
Figolli consist of two layers of pastry, usually cut in the shape of bunnies, lambs, hearts or fish (or anything really), with an almond filling in between. The top layer of pastry is then covered in chocolate or icing and decorated in all sorts of whimsical ways. Since these goodies are only made for the Easter season, each bite is doubly delicious. The store-bought versions are rarely as good as the home-made ones. The figolli in this photo were made by mum and decorated with the help of the Mischief Maker.
With goodies in mind, I don’t know if any of you are as thrilled as I am to learn that Joanne Harris will be launching the third book in the Chocolat ‘series’ on May 24th. It is entitled Peaches for Monsieur le Cure’ and I am really looking forward to reading more about Vianne and, naturally, about chocolate. The book will be released in the US with the title Peaches For Father Francis.
I don’t know about you but, even after two books, I am still curious about Vianne. Perhaps it’s because there is a little bit of her in all of us – whether it is her free-spiritedness, her way with chocolate or her magic, there is something in her with which we can all identify. I definitely identify with Vianne the chocolate maker. There is a hidden art to making anything with chocolate. You need to have a feel for its sensual nature, its unruly temperament, its quirkiness. This is a subject I thoroughly love, a science I am only too happy to learn. Many people shy away from chocolate because it can be tricky to work with – and it can be. But if any of you are interested, this link will give you some excellent tips.
And here is Vianne with her delectable creations.
In the meantime, I am dreaming a little dream – but more about that next time …
Hi Loree and a Happy Easter Blessings to you and all the family!
ReplyDeleteWell done on those figolli and BRAVO to the Mischief Maker! I love what you two have been creating together : )
Oh my gosh! A 3rd book! I was hoping there would be more about Vianne! And not too long to wait too, just one day after my Birthday, what a treat! Thanks for the info : )
Thanks also for the scenes from Chocolat.
Have a great week,
Doreen
Did you save some figolli for your blogger friends? ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're making me hungry again :-) Ooh I'm curious, what's the little dream???
ReplyDeleteYour Easter treats are scrumptious looking, and the video made me wanting some chocolate!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that your mum made these pastries with the help of your son. And I didn't realize that Chocolat was a book! Now I have two to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteWe were quiet lucky with the weather when we went to Amsterdam for Easter, at least on Saturday and Sunday the sun was shining a little although it was quiet cool, but then on Monday when we returned home it was raining cats an dogs !
ReplyDeleteOH, what a delicious post. I have never heard of those wonderful pastry cakes covered in chocolate...so that was a treat in itself. I love to hear about book recommendations and I can't wait to hear about the dream you are dreaming!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had our Easter yet, here in Cyprus. It is this weekend (15th). We are ruled by the Greek Orthodox calendar. I am looking forward to my Easter chocolate, as I have been on a diet since Jan 2nd, and not eaten any since the start.
ReplyDeleteYours looked scrummy!