My friend Michelle, pastry chef extraordinaire (more on that later!), and I went to Porter & Frye for a little late night bite to eat. This was a spontaneous get together, a stolen moment between work and mothering. I’ve been wanting to try Porter & Frye because the executive chef, Steven Brown, is my ex-boss and one of the most talented men I have ever had the good fortune to meet. He, unfortunately had already put in his 12 hour day and wasn’t there when we arrived at nearly 10:00pm. But, his sous chef and pastry chef were still working and willing to whip something together for us.
I’d already eaten dinner so I went for something sweet, what else is new! They presented me with a gorgeous bowl that was all about spring. The centerpiece was panna cotta made of sweet cream and chèvre (billed as a “cheese cake” on the menu, but it was set with gelatin and not eggs, which makes me want to call it panna cotta). What really worked was the contrast of the creamy, thick and rich “cheese cake” with light, sweet and bright springtime fruits. Little perfect cubes of rhubarb, “browned” strawberries and then a watermelon jus (juice). OK, so watermelons aren’t really a spring fruit, at least not in MN, but folks we practically live in the tundra so we have to borrow some things from our southern neighbors.
The next morning I took inspiration from this dessert and made springtime crêpes for breakfast. I folded lightly sweetened whipped cream into soft chèvre as the filling. I roasted strawberries in balsamic vinegar and quickly cooked the rhubarb in sugar and vanilla. The result was fantastic and very springtime in Minnesota!
Serves 4
12 crêpes ( I used 1/2 all-purpose flour and 1/2 whole wheat to make these, otherwise follow these directions)
Chèvre whipped cream recipe below!
To make the chèvre whipped cream: warm the chèvre in a double boiler, just until it softens. I actually just put my little bowl on the heating unit of my coffee maker and it was soft in about 3 minutes.
Whip the cream and sugar to stiff peaks. Fold 1/3 of the cream into the bowl of chèvre and then transfer the cheese into the remaining whipped cream and fold together until well combined.
Put a couple of tablespoons of the chèvre whipped cream onto the crêpe and a few roasted strawberries on top of the cream.
Fold the crêpe into quarters and serve with the rhubarb and the sauce from the roasted strawberries. Enjoy!
Now to tell you a bit about my friend Michelle Gayer and her latest adventure in the kitchen. She has a resume that is the envy of all in our industry. She was the acclaimed pastry chef for Charlie Trotter’s fabulous restaurant in Chicago and wrote the incredible Charlie Trotter’s Desserts based on her creations there. Luckily for us she moved to Minneapolis to open Franklin Street Bakery, where she immediately became a sensation. And now, she is finally opening her own bakery. Hear those trumpets play! As of Memorial Day the “Salty Tart” will open its doors in the Global Market in Minneapolis. I recommend you all head down there to see what magic she has whipped up.
Ingredients
- 12 crêpes I used 1/2 all-purpose flour and 1/2 whole wheat to make these
- Roasted strawberries
- Rhubarb compote
Chèvre Whipped Cream
- 2 oz chèvre
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
Instructions
Chèvre Whipped Cream
- Whip the cream and sugar to stiff peaks. Fold 1/3 of the cream into the bowl of chèvre and then transfer the cheese into the remaining whipped cream and fold together until well combined.
Assemble
- Put a couple of tablespoons of the chèvre whipped cream onto the crêpe and a few roasted strawberries on top of the cream.
- Fold the crêpe into quarters and serve with the rhubarb and the sauce from the roasted strawberries.
Hi Tartelette and baby,
Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy! Zoë
Nice website!!
Three of my favorites together in one dessert! Lovely!
Hi Mom Q,
Get out that book and make some crepes, you’ll get hooked on them!
Enjoy, Zoë
Yum…I do love crepes. I got a crepe cookbook as a wedding gift, but haven’t gotten around to making anything yet. Your rhubarb gives me an idea!
Hi Sheila,
Yes, I have some and love them too! You can get them from Penzys spices through mail order. They call them Charnushka.
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyscharnushka.html
I’m so glad you are enjoying the book!
Zoë
I just finished reading “Artisan Bread . . .”
and am eager to acquire equipment and bake bread. I will be buying this book for my dtr-in-law. Great gift!
Maybe you can help me locate a seed that I have been searching for on and off for 8 years. My Mom said in Russia they were called “Charniskes”, deep black wedged-shaped seeds that I love more than the crescent-shaped Caraway. The retail ryes I buy have these
Charniskes. Nobody seems to know where I can buy them or what the American name is.
Are you familiar with them and where are they available?
Thanks so much. Love your book.
Hi Patricia,
Just the thing to eat under the lilacs on the patio. Well, it is still a bit chilly for that, but a girl can dream!
Zoë
Zoe, they look so light and fresh, love them!
Hi Lauren,
It may sound an odd combination, but it is beautiful!
Let me know what you think.
Zoë
Ooh, goat cheese in the whipped cream… I’ll be earmarking this one.
o this looks fantastic! great colours going on.
Hey Sweet and Saucy,
Me too and my 7 year old son would eat them daily. In other words I make crepes a lot!!!
Zoë
These look fantastic! I adore crepes!