I was very disappointed when I was not able to participate in the December challenge. I was really looking forward to it since it was a really challenging. The Flu season took a toll on my family and so I was not able to participate.
So, What are Tuiles, you ask? Tuiles are thin, crisp almond cookies that are gently molded over a rolling pin or arched form while they are still warm. We were allowed to make the cookies in any shape we wanted as long as we stayed true to the recipe and technique. And that was my issue, my friends, because I have no power of imagination and creativity what-so-ever.
I decided to stay simple and make a very simple design. The plan was to make a cookie bowl and serve something sweet inside it for a dinner party for our friends. By now, everybody knows my obsession with mango. So, the lucky filling was going to be mango kesari. I found the yummiest recipe online. I could make it in the microwave and it was so easy.... But I digress..
How hard can it be to make a thin almond cookie and shape it. I mean, seriously, this was the smallest recipe we have ever been presented with and since I have been doing this for sometime...... I had a stencil ready to make the cookie. The batter was a breeze to make. The oven was preheated. Everything was ready to go.
You know what they say about Pride that it goes before a fall.And that what this challenge was for me.. It was huge but gradual fall!!!! I had a tough time spreading the batter thin. I tried leaving it in the fridge longer. Still no luck. Anyway, I forged ahead. I got ONE.. count ONE bowl out of the whole batch. The trick was in making it thin and shape it as soon as it came out of the oven. All the my cookies turned out too thick and it broke when I tried to shape it. At least I was able to get one bowl to serve my yummy kesari :) I drizzled little rose syrup for interest. In spite of the 'fall', we liked the taste of the almond cookie. It was pretty mild. I would definitely try again. These would make very elegant dessert cups.
Now, don't let my story stop you from visiting my fellow bakers creations. They are just amazing. You can find the recipe for the tuiles at hostess site. I'll post the kesari recipe soon. It absolutely deserves its own post.
