In the last couple of years we have changed houses several times. Renting gives you the absolute freedom to explore different neighborhoods, scenery, lifestyles, landscape, people etc. When we packed our bags, a few years ago and left for a new country, I doubt if we ever imagined that a rather large part of our belongings would still remain in those bags, lest we move again within the finite boundaries of a dynamic country. I still have boxes that were taped years ago and remain unopened till this day. Old books, albums, glassware. showpieces and so on. Why unwrap them when you might have to pack again? On the other hand, the things we acquired in recent times continued to grow along with storage to accommodate them. Choosing a place to live, initially is more about the external aspects than internal ones. Easy access to stores, parks, hospitals and proximity to the buzz of the city centre. Over time these get replaced by a different set of priorities. For us it was the school for the boys. Fortunately we were able to move closer to the school which was a blessing considering the significant amount of time they will be spending there.
Lately, we have been craving the sense of security and settling down that comes with owning a house. Where you unpack for a good 20 years at least! You don’t fret ovet a teeny chocolate stain on the carpets because the house you are living in belongs to someone else. Where you can colour the walls in ombre shades and hang pictures of children and cakes side by side. Over the last few weeks, we have been looking at properties in various locations and it dawned upon me that my dream house would be a combination of bits and ideas from 3 display homes that I have been to and an old house. Probably that is why it is a dream! The only challenge is the school. Do we limit ourselves by the distance to the school or do we focus on the suburb even though commute time may go up. Heaps to consider, assess and evaluate and I have been quite preoccupied with these thoughts.
Fortunately, there is not much to think about when deciding a quick dessert for the colder months. It is clafoutis for me, over crumble this autumn. Simple, quick,warm and full of variety. If you look up clafoutis recipes, the most common ones are the cherry, peach and berry clafoutis. Every time I tasted this beautiful dessert before this, I wondered what would stop someone from adding more texture to the batter. Without a doubt, classics are a hit for a reason and I would lick my spoon every time I had one. But I am equally adventurous and I had to put in a few other elements to find out myself, if is does any justice to the dessert. I was happy with the result. A warm chocolate flavored sweet treat, melt in your mouth, tart raspberries, nutty hazelnuts and sweet crunchy pomegranate seeds.
Now you tell me, would you dislike eating something like that? Do you like to be experiment in the kitchen? What would you consider before owning a house…convenience, space, stylish interiors or comfort?
Chocolate, Raspberry And Pomegranate Clafoutis
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup hazelnuts, skinned, toasted
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup unprocessed cocoa powder
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp powdered cinnamon
Icing sugar, to dust
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease a 9 inch oven proof dish (I used a tart pan) with melted butter. Place the raspberries, pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts on the base of the pan. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, flour, cocoa, and sugar in a large bowl. Do not over mix the batter. Pour the batter over the raspberries, pomegranates and hazelnuts. Bake for 40 mins or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.. Let clafoutis rest for 10 minutes at room temperature, then dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm with fresh cream or ice cream.
Love the flavours you used here! This sounds lovely!
Thanks Katrina!
My house is in the market… and I am so stressed out! I am looking forward to sell it soon and move to a smaller one this summer.
This dessert is absolutely delightful and gorgeous. Yes, it’s great for the cold months but who could resist to it even in the summer?
Oh! I hope your problems are sorted out soon Denise. Thanks so much for your sweet words:-)
I made a standard clafoutis once (and not sure I did it correctly) and I so admire your creativity and adventurous attitude in the kitchen. I’m not like that but I think people like you plant seeds and the encouragement to try something new/do things a little differently and I thank you for it. : )
I love this – yay for chocolate, always, and I’m all for more texture, too, so why not! Wish I could have a taste right now! And good luck with all the moving/housing decisions. It is not easy and you do weigh all those factors you mentioned. It might help to decide on what is absolutely non-negotiable so you know what your top priorities are…otherwise, it is definitely about some form of compromise at the end of the day. It’ll be worth the effort when it’s all done, I’m sure!
You are right Monica! It’s better to take time deciding than rushing into something. A home is a life time investment..I hope I can find something that ticks all my boxes, at least most of them. Thanks so much for sharing these words of wisdom:-)
Another breathtaking dessert and so simple to make. You are a rock star in the kitchen!
You do know that you make my day…every time…don’t you? Thanks lovely!
I would eat the entire tart by myself as it looks too good to share.. hahaha
Very exciting to buy a house, isn’t it? It’s a bit nerve-racking, yet very satisfying to know it belongs to you & your family ONLY and you can do ANYTHING with it. I can’t wait to see all your props in your new kitchen.
I hope you find the house that makes you happy soon. That’s it. That’s my tip to you; buying a house that makes you happy.
By the way, loveeeeeeee your photos 🙂
True Pang! It’s all about that…so rightly put across. I hope so too:-) Thanks my dear!
This is one perfect summer tart, that everybody should have at least once in a while 🙂
When choosing a house comes in question – I went trough it few years back, and it was so pleasant, time consuming and frighting experience all together at once. We decided for a smaller house, with a big yard at the end of a city, and we are still working on it, but it pays of definitely… So, good luck with choosing your own dream house…
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experience Jasmin. I am glad you liked the dessert:-)
What a terrific clafoutis flavor! Love the use of pomegranates, one of my favorite fruits 🙂
Thanks June! I was not a fan of pomegranate until recently. I love it more for it’s colour than taste.
Climate is the most important factor for home buying for me. I want to move out of the New England winter that I have endured most of my life. I hope you will be happy with whatever housing decision you decide to make. The clafoutis is gorgeous! Your pictures are always beautiful…they have such a calming, peaceful effect.
Thanks Thao! I am not at all a winter person so I know what you mean. Appreciate your words of wisdom. Happy to read that you like the photos:-)
I love your desserts, I can eat this everyday. I haven’t made a proper clafoutis, will follow your recipe. I really am so tempted to scoop it out of the screen, looks so good.
Buying a new place is an overwhelming feeling. All the best, have a fun time. It’s crazy in Bay Area, I wish all schools were good, but it’s not. We were trying super hard to move to a better school district but it just was ridiculously priced. Anyways, things work out for good.
I agree Ash! Things work out for good…hopefully I will be able to close in on something soon. Thanks lovely:-)