Madeleines for Proust
I thought I’d make some madeleines in honour of Proust’s birthday (any excuse, right?), but as I’m now a Vegan killjoy, I wasn’t sure if that would be possible, or advisable. My inner Homer Simpson really, really wanted me to try, if it meant there’d be the possibility of cake, so, a quick google led me to a recipe here, and I gave it a go.
This is what happened…..
This is what is known in the trade as a mess.
I didn’t burn them, which was a nice surprise, and they’re very tasty – if not quite the puffy little tugboats I was hoping for. I’ll definitely make them again.
What do you mean you didn’t know that Proust was a West Ham United fan?
Tasty madeleines are all very well, and I’m grateful for any excuse to eat cake, especially as literary treats are less calorific, non? But if I’d wanted to create a Proustian moment, to taste something that would trigger a flood of memories from childhood and possibly launch a seven volume novel, I’d have to give the dainty morsels of madeleine seeped in limeflower tea a miss, and instead, go for something like this.
Heinz Tomato soup. I bet it’s inspired and fuelled more novels than Proust could shake a soggy madeleine at.
Lucy
Sarah
I’m impressed at their neat shape! Well done!
I too have strong thoughts attached to tomato soup. I once ate poison as a child and had my stomach filled with activated charcoal, to then puke up. After two days of sharp, gritty blackness, the hospital gave me tomato soup and a bridge roll. It was like swallowing acidic fire. That’s possibly more information than anyone wants…
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Wow, it sounds like your tomato soup inspired seven volume novel would be a deeply harrowing affair! I think you might be better off with a battenberg.
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Yay! Battenberg! An odyssey in pink and yellow 🙂
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> What do you mean you didn’t know that Proust was a West Ham United fan?
Slaaaag!
This post made me laugh as soon as I saw it. Reminded me of Rick Stein’s French odyssey. Wasn’t sure if he’s read Proust or was just advised well by a BBC researcher. My childhood food memory would be the bitter taste of disappointment, then, as main course, I’d have some Heinz Mulligatawny.
I think we’re into food books again. I have deja vu commenting on your blog about food books. I once sold a 1980s Roux brothers book for £20, beautiful but slightly reduced due to having been used in a working kitchen (stains, you see). Does that story seem familiar? Just checking my memory.
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OK, so the West Ham United bit was a touch of artistic licence. God, can you imagine Proust going to the football? Just the merest contemplation of it would finish him off. When I’ve knitted a little Camus I’ll take him to a football match with me and take his picture in the stands. In my experience, that won’t attract any strange looks at all. 😉
I do remember a cookery book conversation, now you mention it. I think it was probably your blog, as we haven’t covered any cookbooks on here as yet (my current cookbook browsing involves sweary vegan and earnest uber-health cookbooks which I read while eating crisps) And to add to the Heinz inspirational soup range, I reckon Oxtail Soup would probably hold the gold for me, too!
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A knitted Camus leaning on a goalpost. If you want to be ghoulish you could photograph him in the passenger seat of a car.
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I’ll knit him in his footy kit, but I doubt I’d get anywhere near a goalpost without getting arrested on the way. talking my way out of that one would be an interesting conversation!
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