The Case for Creme Fraiche

Photo by Any Lane on Pexels.com

Somewhere in the journey from making childhood mud pies to adult culinary disasters there emerged a gigantic love for cream toppings.

I simply love anything like Heavy Cream, Whipped Cream, Sour Cream, Clotted Cream, and even fake cream in aerosol containers.

And then whilst traveling in France through my job taking printers overseas I was served something called Creme Fraiche. It is now my love over all the others – even whipped cream. Clotted cream comes close (I had that in England at the Hyde Park Hotel in London for high tea). What a job I had huh? I must admit the work for a large printing association introduced me to the world.

Back to Creme Fraiche (pronounced Krem-fresh). If you have not heard of it, it is a luxurious topping for just about anything you can think of. Fruit first of course since they are a natural pairing, but even meat will be enhanced by this delightfully smooth almost-whipped-cream-but-better-topping.

I make my own and have a recipe that is probably long gone and mostly forgotten and maybe my recipe isn’t even for Creme Fraiche after all. But I tell people it is. And it’s so good it is guaranteed to add to my (your) reputation as a gourmet cook!

And here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

One Cup of Sour Cream

One Cup of Heavy Cream

Yep! That’s it!

Equal to Equal. How hard is that?

Now mix the two in a glass dish until well blended. Then allow the mixture to sit uncovered for four or more hours until everything is smooth and of a non-runny texture. No need to stir. No added ingredients. Just wait.

When the mixture is just the right consistency – not runny but thick and creamy like sour cream, you can cover and refrigerate for use as you wish.

And as you use your newly found luxurious deliciousness be sure to go back and spread the top of the topping out so it is smooth and with no pockets to get watery.

Note: Now I know most Creme Fraiche recipes only include heavy cream and buttermilk and mostly for longer hours. I never have buttermilk on hand but I do always have sour cream. And finding heavy cream at the market is sometimes a challenge but I can always find heavy whipping cream. And that’s all it takes.

Enjoy!

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Meet You at the Pink Cadillac

Photo by Kathy Jennings http://www.fineartsamerica.com

Yesterday I made a fruitless trip to town to find “skinny-er” jeans to complement my imagined skinny-er figure.  That illusion died an agonizing death as I tried on six different brands. each in one size smaller, and all of them screaming the same thing, “WHO ARE YOU KIDDING LADY!!!!???”

In need of immediate comfort I went for groceries and added heavy whipping cream and sour cream to the basket.  Did you know if you combine the two in equal parts and let the mix sit uncovered on the kitchen counter for about 4 hours, you will get the most delightful “clotted cream?”

Clotted cream tastes wonderful on just about everything, and particularly on pumpkin pie.  ‘Tis the season after all, but so much for rapid weight loss.

I  dragged on home with the groceries and was just about to relax while clotting the cream when the phone rang.  It was Bill saying, “Hi Darling.  Ooops, I locked my car keys in the gym locker.  Would you mind bringing me the extra key?”

You have undoubtedly guessed Bill went to the gym while I was clotting.  He has a whole lot more will power than I do.  But being the darling wife that I am, I went off to town carrying the extra key to his locker.  “Stuff happens.”  That’s what they say nowadays right?  It used to be “go with the flow.”

Anyway, that made two trips to town and two trips back for my exciting day.  Bill also made a trip to town and a trip back.  Town is about 15 minutes away.  Could that be over an hour driving to and fro?

Did I want to cook dinner?  No.  And Bill, being the darling husband he is (we are sort of sarcastically gushy you know), suggested we eat out.  Another trip to town?

Pink Cadillac
Necessary Rooms

No.  We decided to dine at THE PINK CADILLAC.  Hence the photos.

My blogging friend, Cindy, from the wilds of Canada, noted for her Photos from the Loony Bin, actually met Bill and me at the Pink Cadillac not so long ago.  She was with her QT husband Mikey.  They are an adorable couple and we wish they would come back soon.

If Cindy and Mikey stay awhile at the Pink Cadillac they may notice all the pics of old film stars on the walls.  It is almost embarrassing that Bill and I can name all of them.  James Dean, John Wayne, or Elvis Presley, Vivien Leigh, Jimmy Stewart, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry – they are all there.

If you find yourself in my neck-o-the-woods, plan a stop that will take you back in time to a 1950’s diner called The Pink Cadillac where looking at the walls is a joyful way to wait for your Elvis burger and fries!

And be sure to let me know when you’re coming huh?  I’ll meet you at The Pink Cadillac!

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