Bananas Foster Crepe

It was an accident, but I outdid myself! I was experimenting with crepe batter (the perfected recipe will appear here soon) and was making some delicious crepes with homemade strawberry jam filling.

On a lark (and because I had so much batter left), I decided to try a different flavor. I sauteed the only fresh banana I had in butter, brown sugar and a splash of rum. I gave everyone a bite and they wanted more! Here is how to make a quick Bananas Foster filling that they will never forget.

Bananas Foster Crepe Filling

1 fresh banana, sliced

2 Tablespoons of salted butter
3 Tablespoons of dark brown sugar
a splash of white or dark rum

Saute the first 3 ingredients until hot and bubbly. Add rum, spoon into a crepe and top with a banana slice and whipped cream. Enjoy!

Channeling France in Detroit via La Danse

A few friends and I were channeling France last weekend. We had heard that the Detroit Film Theater would be showing a matinee of La Danse, a 3-hour documentary on the legendary Paris Opera Ballet.

We started the afternoon across from the Detroit Institute of Arts at Good Girls Go To Paris creperie. We each enjoyed our own "savory" crepe for lunch and then split this masterpiece named "Fay" for dessert. It is a warm swirl of bananas, pecans, caramel, salted butter and brown sugar. (Sigh)

It was a clear, bright and cold day as we walked next door to watch our film. The documentary was more than I had hoped for. Yes, 3 hours is a long time, but I fell right into each scene. The gorgeous crunchy white skirts. The "hard-to-believe-they-are-real" ballerinas practicing in classic leotards and toe shoes. The luxurious auditorium being cleaned and prepped for a performance. The attention to detail in this film was intoxicating.  The sweep of the broom.  The lacing of the ribbons.  I loved it all.

My ballet experience is really limited to this Ballerina Barbie I had growing up. She was lovely, regal and everything I knew a ballerina to be. I named her Barbara and found that she was never silly or ridiculous like the other girls (ha!). Seeing this magnificent dance company was relaxing, informative and it brought back some childhood memories to boot! What a delight.

And we had a surprise, too. Remember when I told you about the honey that is collected on the roof of the Opera National de Paris and how I bought some when I was there? They showed the roof and the honey in the movie!

If you get the chance, I recommend that you channel France.

Good Girls Go To Paris

Is that a great name for a creperie or what? I made my first trip to Good Girls Go To Paris (on Kirby near the Detroit Institute of Arts) this week when my friend and I went on a "field trip" to Detroit for crepes and yarn.

We talked and talked over a late breakfast (I had a jambon & fromage crepe that was perfection) and had every intention of ordering dessert crepes too, but, alas our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. We loved this little spot, though, and vowed to return another day for something sweet!

Then we made our way to City Knits, a shop that we had been hearing about for ages. We combed the store for treasures and I left with some kiwi green wool to knit (and then felt) a bowl for the living room. Fun! Now I just need to find a pattern for a simple bowl...and apparantly some double pointed needles - eek!

As the whirl of the holidays starts, make sure you carve out some time to be with your girlfriends. Thank you, Liz, for a lovely morning!

The Year of the Crepe

In May, I ordered a crepe right from a street vendor at the Vanves Flea Market in Paris and watched her make a large butter & sugar crepe before my eyes.

In July, I found my Mom's electric crepe maker in a box in the basement (circa 1978 and never been used!) and spent an entire weekend trying to master it well enough to make dessert for four.

In August, I took a free cooking class at Williams-Sonoma titled "Crepes & Croques." And later that month, I gave in and ordered the spectacular jambon & fromage crepe (above) from a little French bistro in town. Yum!

I am not saying that I have thrown in the towel. But I definitely have miles to go before I sleep, as far as crepes are concerned. This, my friends, is the year of the crepe. Any tips would be appreciated.