Valpolicella, Tarte aux Pommes, Chocolate Bavarian Creme... oh my

I had a great day today. I cooked and chatted all day long. Taylor was a little quiet, but my friend Devon came over to help cook. I put her to work on the Saffron Panna Cotta. Taylor peeled, cored and sliced some apples for me while I worked on the apple torte crust. The Panna Cotta never quite firmed up, but it still tastes delish. Delish… that word reminds me of my friend Coppi. She always used to say that. Do you still say that Coppi?


Out of all the desserts the Valpolicella was my favorite. Oh my goodness, chocolate darkness that is to die for. Topping it off with the mastered crème anglaise.. yep. Don’t die before you try it. Put it on your bucket list. A close second was the apple torte. It was so good too. The Bavarian crème pie was eh.. ok, not what I would expect from the name. The name makes you think you are getting something so out of the ordinary that you will have a “flavorgasm” no.. not so much. It was good, but just good. Panna Cotta is refreshing. I would serve it on a hot day or for brunch. Cool and fruity. The torte and the chocolate… I will guard with my life. SO good.



On to the real meal. AIGO BOUIDO

For us in America it means “Garlic Soup” I thought why not. I love garlic. It was just eh. I can say I made it. But its not something you have to have. Just ok.

Poulet Roti a la Normande, made it before and it was just as good this time.

I made fettucine from scratch. FUN FUN FUN. I could make noodles full time. Devon had fund (I think) making them. I know she had fun eating them and the dough. Her poor tummy must hurt tonight from it. But I bet she will say it was worth it. I could live on that pasta forever. The homemade noodles with the Italian recipe for alfredo IT IS THE ULTIMATE!!! Mix it with the chicken normande.. yep, that’s the way to go. The salad was just salad.
Here is our pics for the night. Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday. I plan on church and then cooking again.

enjoy our pics:

This is the apple torte. YUM YUM YUM.

Making noodles. Hahahahah I made Devon pose next to the noodles.

Devon peeling the cut noodles into slices. I used my herb cutter. Worked much faster.

The peeled pasta just waiting for a boil.

Here is the meal. YUM... makes me hungry again.

You can see the Valpolicella in the custard cups. Creme anglaise in the tub. Bavarian Cream pie in the pie pan, and the torte off to the far left.

Chocolate and Valpolicella Crema

“This is the most adult pudding you will ever encounter. The intensity of

the wine’s fruit-and-acid combo makes each bite a serious experience.”



Serves 8 to 12



1 cup red wine, preferably Valpolicella or

another medium-bodied, fruity red wine

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

12 ounces bittersweet chocolate,

finely chopped

8 ounces unsweetened chocolate,

finely chopped

8 egg yolks *

1 1/4 cups milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter



1. Combine the red wine and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a small [nonreactive] saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until reduced

by two thirds, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

2. Heat both chocolates in a large bowl over a double boiler until melted. Whisk in the red wine syrup, followed by the egg yolks.

3. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, 1 cup of the cream, and 1/4

cup of the sugar. Heat until scalded, then whisk quickly into the chocolate mixture. Whisk in the butter. Divide the custard among individual custard

cups or wine glasses. Chill until completely set.

4. Just before serving, whip the remaining 1 cup of cream to soft peaks.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and whip to stiff peaks. Top

each serving of custard with a small dollop of whipped cream