The Freshest Creme Fraiche
Very, very, quiet around Seattle Caviar today. I just finished reading a nice article about creme fraiche in the Gourmet Retailer. Our favorite brand to keep at the shop and to use at home, is the Bellwether Farms brand. It is delicious, not only with caviar, but with myriad of recipes. Use a bit in salad dressing, mixed with lemon or vinegar, with berry desserts, in sauces, on potatoes. Add a spoonful at the last minute into a sauce to lend a silky, creamy richness to a dish. I just had some creme fraiche and and Ikura (again) on some toast for lunch.
Try making some fresh, just like a French farmwife:
This recipe is from “The Cheese Lover’s Cookbook & Guide”
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 buttermik
1/4 cup yougurt with acidophilus cultures
Place the cream, buttermilk and yogurt in a sterilized jar or bowl. Stir vigorously to mix. Cover the container with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for four to eight hours, or overnight, until thickened . Refrigerate once the creme fraiche has almost reached the desired consistency. It will continue to thicken as it chills. Use within one week.
Bagels, Cream Cheese & Ikura!!
Sunday we took our little boat to Anacortes and launched at Cap Sante Marina. We had a one o’clock appointment, but went very early so we could picnic out on the water. It was a beautiful sunny day, but it was COLD in Bellingham Channel! Our picnic was simple as can be. Nice smoked salmon, cream cheese and Bagels. A few bing cherries, and a few (!) potato chips and a jug of sweet tea. Unfortunately, no wine with this picnic because of the afore mentioned appointment. While drifting about, out of the wind, and the sun shining we were visted by a couple seals, several eagles and porpoises!! It was wonderful to see them dive. They actually put on a performance just for us!
It occurred to me today how much we enjoyed our picnic and while I was hungry had to make do with a leftover bagel. The leftover bagel, turned to extraordinary with creme fraiche and chum salmon ikura!
Try it sometime. 2 ounces of Ikura $10.00 about the same as a package of smoked salmon and just as delish.
