Mmmmm...buttery desserts! What a great topic--and great newsletter topic--beautiful, delicious photos!
For the airy top on the Far Breton--could that be due to the extra yolks and some butter that didn't meld with the rest of the batter--resulting in a little frizzled top?
The farmers market in San Francisco behind Stonestown Mall on Sunday mornings has a bakery stand that sells baguettes croissants and yes kouign amman that all are superb. Almost as good as a bakery in Paris!!
We did a house exchange in the Finistère in 1999 near Brest in a little village called Lannilis. In the local bakery one day I spied a whole flat sheet pan of some messy, crudely sugar-y, caramelly, crusty mess. It was Kouign Amann. I had to try it and it was glorious! After that we went back every day to get it but they only made it a couple of times a week.
The Kouign Amann I see now are well-shaped and neat little pastries. But they will never equal that first marvelous affair!
David, another wonderful post with many, many rabbit holes to go down! My husband will walk past me as I am nose deep in a post and, noting the number of tabs that are open, will delight in saying, "So, what does David have to say today?" We'll soon be without a working kitchen while renovations are in progress, so I thought terrrine! Perfect! I'll bake them n my countertop oven and serve with fresh vegetables, sourdough bread and, my new love thanks to you, salted butter. Meanwhile, I'm re-reading The Sweet Life in Paris, giggling more than before. Thank you, for the light, gaity, informative and delicious paths you take us on in each post!
Thanks David. Your posts are a huge breath of fresh French air, a welcome refuge from the endless din of trashy politics that clogs all the broadcast channels in the US. Your articles are highly enjoyable, even without the US context and are a dive into few moments I look forward to always. Thanks for working so hard on these posts.
Nowadays, you should be happy to be asked if you are Canadian rather than American. I’m a Canadian who visits Paris twice a year - usually for a month each time. I have taken to proudly wear a very small Canadian flag pin on my lapel. Last April, I was surprised how many times it was commented upon. “We wish we were Canadian”, “we wish we lived in Canada”, etc. And, you know from whom the comments came from … Vive la Canada!
Really enjoyed this post, which I’m just getting around to reading after sending it to a food loving friend who was traveling to Brittany and Normandy back in September. I was sending her to see the land of fleur de sel and in Saint-Malo to Bordier’s Maison du Beurre. This article complimented that nicely, thanks. Kouign Amann are a favorite of mine too. We’re lucky to have a great patisserie here which makes them. I liked the comment about writing about picnics. When we were staying in Champagne a couple years ago, the guest experience manager at the Royal, in Champillon, told me that they should start offering a picnic basket named “Madame Anderson’s Picnic” for the custom one I created for ourselves to take into the vineyard. I love to set a good scene 😉
Fantastic newsletter about our favorite place in France. We are lucky in northern Michigan (Charlevoix area) to have Gildas Lake Street Bakery in Boyne City. Gildas was born and raised in Quimper, trained as a Boulanger and eventually settled here with his wife who is local to this area. His Kouign Amann and buckwheat crepes are spot on.
And . . What a wonderful note about Romain’s brother! Would love to hear his story!
Thank you David! Love your newsletters and Instagram posts!
Need the recipe for the Breton buckwheat cookies. Where is it, please?
Mmmmm...buttery desserts! What a great topic--and great newsletter topic--beautiful, delicious photos!
For the airy top on the Far Breton--could that be due to the extra yolks and some butter that didn't meld with the rest of the batter--resulting in a little frizzled top?
Love this David. I am nuts for Kuign Amman. Searching for the best in NYC. Any recommendations?
The farmers market in San Francisco behind Stonestown Mall on Sunday mornings has a bakery stand that sells baguettes croissants and yes kouign amman that all are superb. Almost as good as a bakery in Paris!!
We did a house exchange in the Finistère in 1999 near Brest in a little village called Lannilis. In the local bakery one day I spied a whole flat sheet pan of some messy, crudely sugar-y, caramelly, crusty mess. It was Kouign Amann. I had to try it and it was glorious! After that we went back every day to get it but they only made it a couple of times a week.
The Kouign Amann I see now are well-shaped and neat little pastries. But they will never equal that first marvelous affair!
David, another wonderful post with many, many rabbit holes to go down! My husband will walk past me as I am nose deep in a post and, noting the number of tabs that are open, will delight in saying, "So, what does David have to say today?" We'll soon be without a working kitchen while renovations are in progress, so I thought terrrine! Perfect! I'll bake them n my countertop oven and serve with fresh vegetables, sourdough bread and, my new love thanks to you, salted butter. Meanwhile, I'm re-reading The Sweet Life in Paris, giggling more than before. Thank you, for the light, gaity, informative and delicious paths you take us on in each post!
Thanks David. Your posts are a huge breath of fresh French air, a welcome refuge from the endless din of trashy politics that clogs all the broadcast channels in the US. Your articles are highly enjoyable, even without the US context and are a dive into few moments I look forward to always. Thanks for working so hard on these posts.
Nowadays, you should be happy to be asked if you are Canadian rather than American. I’m a Canadian who visits Paris twice a year - usually for a month each time. I have taken to proudly wear a very small Canadian flag pin on my lapel. Last April, I was surprised how many times it was commented upon. “We wish we were Canadian”, “we wish we lived in Canada”, etc. And, you know from whom the comments came from … Vive la Canada!
Every word, a mouth watering experience.. Can't wait for your next book. Would love to follow your footsteps on your next venture.
Oh I’m thinking replacing the prunes with semi sun dried figs or our figs marinated in sticky quince syrup. Do you think this would work?
Really enjoyed this post, which I’m just getting around to reading after sending it to a food loving friend who was traveling to Brittany and Normandy back in September. I was sending her to see the land of fleur de sel and in Saint-Malo to Bordier’s Maison du Beurre. This article complimented that nicely, thanks. Kouign Amann are a favorite of mine too. We’re lucky to have a great patisserie here which makes them. I liked the comment about writing about picnics. When we were staying in Champagne a couple years ago, the guest experience manager at the Royal, in Champillon, told me that they should start offering a picnic basket named “Madame Anderson’s Picnic” for the custom one I created for ourselves to take into the vineyard. I love to set a good scene 😉
Would love to try it!! Love your newsletters!
Great! I put it in the following newsletter post here: https://davidlebovitz.substack.com/p/buckwheat-palets-bretons
Yum, I’d love to try the recipe!
David, I would like to try the recipe please!
Fantastic newsletter about our favorite place in France. We are lucky in northern Michigan (Charlevoix area) to have Gildas Lake Street Bakery in Boyne City. Gildas was born and raised in Quimper, trained as a Boulanger and eventually settled here with his wife who is local to this area. His Kouign Amann and buckwheat crepes are spot on.
And . . What a wonderful note about Romain’s brother! Would love to hear his story!
Thank you David! Love your newsletters and Instagram posts!
Nina in Michigan
Yes, I'd very much like to try making palet Breton. I truly enjoy your newsletter. Thank you.