Kale and Broccoli Crepe Recipe

My sister-in-law Lya had a sleepover with her girlfriends here last weekend. They had to wake up very early the following day to participate in The Color Run™ 5k paint race event. I promised I'd give them a large breakfast so they'd have enough energy. I served them sweet potato tarte amandine (check out the photo on Facebook), thumbprint cookies and crepes. I prepared plenty of crêpe batter the night before so I was able to use the rest for lunch and create light, savory crepes. I filled them with a cheesy mascarpone sauce, sautéed kale and broccoli.

Don't be fooled by the abundance of greens; this healthy, savory crêpe is very flavorful and filling. The, creamy sauce will keep you full until it's time for the next meal. 

Crepe Party

Today (February 2^nd) is a popular French celebration called La Chandeleur (also known as Christian holiday Candlemas). How do you celebrate it, you ask? You eat crêpes, ton of crêpes. 

I prepared 3 large batches of crêpe batter (click the link for the recipe) last night and let the girls toss so they can prepare their own version by laying down multiple filling options on the kitchen counter. Sprinkling crêpes with sugar can be sufficient but is not at all  necessary; the possibilities are truly endless. I've gathered a few ideas for you to try. Bon appétit!

Mandarin Chocolate Mousse Filled Crepe Recipe

Last night was our first formal dinner party since the New Year and I wanted to add a little wow factor to the end of the meal. I prepared a mandarin-flavored dark chocolate mousse and enclosed it in the cutest little crêpe purses. 

The decadence didn’t stop there, as I garnished the purses with chocolate puffed rice "hung" up high on a spun sugar stick. A little drizzle of coffee-liqueur chocolate sauce finished off the dessert and guaranteed that it would satisfy even the biggest chocoholic's cravings.

I'm starting to plan out what could amaze my Valentine in a few weeks and I know for sure my husband Lulu would be more than delighted that we end our Valentine's Day romantic dinner feeding each other chocolate! Check back for more ideas.

Mushroom Crepe Recipe (Crepe Forestiere)

In less than 3 weeks, La Chandeleur is going to be celebrated in France. It originially was a religious event (40 days after Christmas) but nowadays, it's become a more commercial celebration). Crêpes are traditionally served on the holiday, which gives me an excuse to flip some crêpes for my family. I know that making crepes is intimidating for a lot of people, but I have prepared crêpe batter countless times and I promise it's easy to master, and with a little bit of practice you'll have no problem with it. 

In general, for La Chandeleur you'll see them served as dessert, either with fruit and cream or simply sweetened with a sprinkle of sugar. Savory versions (ham and cheese is a staple), however, are not uncommon. This recipe is for a "forest"-style crepe, which means it's filled with mushrooms and it's also known as beggar's purse. I added a few roasted chestnuts and garbanzo beans for extra protein.

I hope you're inspired to make some crepes yourself. You'll be a pro in no time!

I'm giving away a copy this week and will announce the winner next Monday, January 14th, 2013. I am so grateful for all the blessings I have in my life. Thank you so much for your love and support. Here’s to making 2013 as unforgettable as 2012!

Banh Xeo Chay Recipe

Papa, Maman and I went to China Town in the 13th arrondissement of Paris and bought a lot of Asian ingredients. When we got home, I whipped up Vietnamese crêpes called bánh xèo. I made them "chay" ("vegetarian" in Vietnamese), so my husband Lulu and all of us could share the same meal. The filling consisted of carrots, beans, tofu and fried jicama. 

Bánh xèo, served hot, are absolutely delicious. They're crispy on the outside and filled with lots of flavorful goodness.