This blog probably should have been a long time coming, but I have been stubborn and honestly, a little unsure about my qualifications to write such a thing. But lately, I've started thinking: that's just silly! I've been the eager consumer of amazing home-cooked meals all my life. And I think my friends and family would agree that I'm not too shabby in the kitchen, either -- especially when it comes to pastries. I'm no expert, but instead I've found that if you follow good directions, you can do anything well!
Below is my favorite cake to make (and I plan to make a version of this for my friend M.E.'s wedding next year!): Poème cake, as coined by the pastry chef Delphin Gomes, from whom I took a 7-week intensive pastry course 4 years ago.
Most of what he taught us can't be adequately represented in a blog, so I say, if you want to learn something that I'm familiar with, come on over and we'll do it together!
I like to make anything and everything. I love trying to make different ethnic foods, and seeing how well I succeed - luckily, it's usually at least edible, even if completely opposite from the intended version!
Whenever possible, I like to make things from scratch, like bread, cheese, etc. Maybe I should just get my own goat ;-). That would make things a lot easier.
I wouldn't say that I'm a simple food person (as you might have guessed already), although I LOVE simple flavors. But simple...with a twist. That's how I like life, too. And that brings me to the title of this blog: Haitian Vanilla.
Vanilla has always been my favorite ice cream flavor. Boring, huh? But in recent years, after my brother gave our mom her most favorite present ever, an ice cream machine, she began experimenting with different flavors, different extracts. For vanilla, she has tried American, Mexican, and Haitian extracts, and hands down - Haitian vanilla is the winner among all of our friends and family (except for my dad, but that's a different story!). See, simple flavor, with a twist.
Next week, I hope to have a culinary adventure to share with you. Until then, bon appétit!
Posts
I think that it would be unfair to your readers to have a site named "Haitian Vanilla" but not include the recipe for Haitian Vanilla, along with the story behind it:-)
ReplyDeleteExtremely good point! See, I'm new at this, so bear with me! As soon as I get the recipe from my mom, I will post it :-)
ReplyDeleteBeing a math teacher, I can take a square meal--and I'm no parvenu--but as you may imagine, I hardly have it in me to spork limp shreds of iceberg lettuce around in a greasy pool of ranch--and trust me, I've been there! I'll tell you what I would really impress me: A real garden salad, not just lip service. I mean no dressing, no croutons, no carrots, no nothing...just leaves and maybe some lemon zest, or almond shavings or somesuch.
ReplyDeleteYou say you love simple flavors, that you cook from scratch, that you want to "get [your] own goat," but I'm not convinced. Prove that you aren't just chiming empty praise for the rustic and austere. Let's have a real garden salad!
I think Vicki is saying she wants you to post a recipe for salad that only consists of lettuce leaves. Not only is that a totally crappy idea, but she also seems to think that you'll lose face if u don't, since you've made a big deal about simple flavors and ingredients. Well, I guess it's up to you Nadya, either post a ridiculous recipe or loose credibility w/Vicki.
ReplyDeleteBTW, what's up with the goat?
I'm happy to get all these comments! I expected most people reading this to be my family and friends, so this is a welcome surprise!
ReplyDeleteTo address Vicki's comment:
I have to say that the flavor of leaves is a little TOO simple for my taste, although I respect those who enjoy them enough to want to eat salad all the time! I eat salad because it's healthy, and not usually because I like the taste. Whenever possible, I add things (like gorgonzola, fruit, and nuts) to it to make it more interesting, more appealing to me.
As for the goat, it really was meant as a joke. Since I love cheese and milk products (in general) so much, it would be nice if I could have constant easy access to the fresh stuff! Also, it could help with my grass, so I wouldn't have to mow it so often :-)
Thumbs up Nadya, I don't like salads either! Btw, when is the first dish on its way? Since so many of your friends and family are excited about the site, maybe you should dedicate each dish to someone that you think would like it, or who the flavor of the dish reminds you of. That way, everyone would follow your blog, wondering who's the next "on the menu."
ReplyDeleteHah...I don't want Haitian Vanilla, I want some Dominican Chocolate!...if u know what I mean.
ReplyDelete