Monday, September 15, 2008

Natural selection

My friend Julie, whom I have known for 30 years, and I recently reflected on how friendships evolve and change over the years, even decades. Some grow closer, some farther, and a lucky few are circular. Various tangible or intangible circumstances in life push and pull friendships in different directions, usually in gentle imperceptible ways. If you are blessed, the foundation on which an original friendship was built is strong enough to withstand any internal or external assault; however, the mere history of a friendship is not enough to sustain one in the present or future.


Speaking of friends, I am lucky to have my good friend Erik (with a "k") return home to Vancouver after almost ten years in Edmonton. Did I just say ten years? After medical school, we both were matched to University of Alberta residency programs in 1999 but I only survived five long cold Edmonton winters. He must be much tougher than I am.


This simple dark chocolate hazelnut tart was a small house-warming gift for Erik and his family to enjoy. A pâte sucrée crust was baked with a thin layer of hazelnut cream before pouring a dark chocolate hazelnut ganache over top. I do love the initial smooth mirror-like appearance of a still warm and fluid dark chocolate ganache, which eventually dulls slightly as it sets. Welcome home!

11 comments:

Nina Timm said...

A feast for the eye and I'm sure a delight to the taste buds!!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! If I'd been around, the chocolate ganache wouldn't have made it into the tart shell....seriously.

sara angel said...

absolutely gorgeous!

Rachelle S said...

Beautiful!! I love the sugar coil and the blown spice? effect!

Helene said...

What a "welcome home" treat! Love the flavors in the tart and I just get happy happy when I see physallis on desserts...hard to find here!

Lo said...

I love reading your blog. Will you ever post the recipes??

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

oh my goodness, he must have been in heaven with a treat like this waiting for him!

Brilynn said...

Gorgeous! Love the presentation!

My Sweet & Saucy said...

Simply gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I am the "Erik" of note. Yes, it was tasty. As soon as the chef left our home, my wife and I polished off the 2 leftover pieces.

Stay tuned...I will hopefully be making many more appearances on the blog.

Charmaine said...

Erik: Hey, I thought you said you were going to eat it for breakfast. Watch it my friend, the more blog appearances you make, the more calories you will consume. It's a slippery slope...