We had such big plans for the weekend--with another birthday and an anniversary to celebrate, but I was down for the count through most of it with a crude stomach flu. I'm 90% over it today, but the head-banging headache still lingers, along with a renewed appreciation for pepto bismal. Oh-boy. If I'm lucky, I'll squeeze a nap in later today. Preferably outside in the warm sun, if it happens to come out. Anyway...we've moved the festivities out to mid-week, which actually works better for everyone's schedule and will give me more time to rebound.
I must say though, the weekend wasn't a total loss: I'm talking cream puffs here. Something special for the birthday girl. I haven't made them in a long time, and I've never made them using spelt flour, so that was a first. They surprised me by turning out extremely light and delicate. (The no-fail recipe I use can be found in, The Fannie Farmer Baking Book, by Marion Cunningham--page 181, I think.) These are filled with freshly whipped cream: 1-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream + 2 T. sugar. And the perfect chocolate drizzle, in my opinion, is a warm ganoche: 1/2 c. heavy cream + 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate bits; heat the cream to a scald over a double-boiler, remove from heat and add the chocolate. Let it "temper" a few minutes, then whisk gently until it becomes dark and shiny. Let it cool a little before spooning over the puffs. (for extra yum--stir any remaining chocolate sauce into your coffee!) These are best eaten right away, but, if you have more will power than we do, keep them cold in a covered container--up to 24 hours.
Ours, however, never seem to last that long.
Oh my goodness, those cream puffs look fabulously decadent! Will have to look up that recipe!
You have my sympathy on the stomach flu thing. The kids and I all had it a couple of weeks ago. Lots of Pepto Bismol was consumed, but I don't think it helped - we just had to survive the three days of misery. Hope you feel much better soon!
By the way, I love your framed vintage kitchen utensils on the wall - and that darling daisy playhouse! And thanks for the sweet little kittens!
Posted by: Shari | June 08, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Yummy!
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Posted by: Nadine | June 08, 2009 at 10:50 AM
They look so good ! Spelt , eh ? That's interesting . Our baker makes a really good spelt loaf , but I would never have thought of cake/cookie baking with it . Must try .
Posted by: SmitoniusAndSonata | June 08, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Oh my goodness...I love cream puffs...I think they are something like eclairs, right? Yours look so divine...I LOVE them!!! Glad your feeliing better, sweet Vicki!
Posted by: cathleen | June 08, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Is that the Birthday girl? Happy Birthday! I remember just a couple years ago when she was turning 16...(I have a daughter the same age with a BD in afew days too)
Your cream puffs look sooooo yummy!
Hope you are back to 100% health soon.
Posted by: DianeM | June 09, 2009 at 03:00 AM
I'm gonna try those lovely looking cream puffs. I tried making them once upon a time when I was newly married, almost twenty years ago. They were a complete failure. I must try again!
Posted by: Nancy | June 09, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Oh my, I believe you baked the ultimate cure to what ails you! They look so good. I'd like one right now with my coffee. Yes, still having coffee at 11:21 a.m. PST. Hope you are 100% very soon. :o)
Posted by: robin | June 09, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been ill, and very glad that you are feeling better.
I love cream puffs and eclairs, but I haven't made them in years and years. You sure are tempting me to give a go, though.
Happy Birthday to the beautiful and oh so sweet birthday girl!
Posted by: Lena | June 09, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Oh Vickie, I do hope that you are feeling better!
The Cream Puffs look divine! Yum!
Have a blessed day!
~Sharon
Posted by: Sharon D. | June 09, 2009 at 05:03 PM
That looks so yummy...I never have any luck making cream puffs. I hope your feeling better now, it's not fun having the flu.
Posted by: Judy | June 10, 2009 at 05:39 AM