"Cafe Gourmand": what is it?

For few years now there has been a new concept for dessert in many french restaurants. It is called "Cafe Gourmand" which means something like "Gourmet Coffee". Each time I have the opportunity to eat in a french restaurant which has it on the menu, I order it when it's time for dessert!
But what is it exactly?
It is composed of a cup of coffee (espresso usually) and few mini desserts such as pie, tart, ice cream scoop, brownie, macaroon, dessert in a glass cup, .... everything is possible as long as at least 3 mini desserts are served with the cup of coffee.

Here are few pictures of the "Cafe Gourmand" I tried:

Perfect chocolate chip cookies

Two weeks ago I got my weekly newsletter from the Guardian - Life and Style, and there was something that caught my attention: a recipe of  "perfect chocolate chip cookies". I had to try it, to see by myself if those were as good as they pretend to be! So for once, I carefully followed the recipe, thing I usually never do. And so here I share this recipe with you, because they are really worth the try! 

 

Ingredients


120g salted butter, at room temperature
75g light brown sugar
75g granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
240g plain flour
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
170g dark chocolate 
roughly chopped Sea salt flakes (optional)

Directions


1. Using a wooden spoon, or (even better) a food mixer, beat together the butter and sugars until just combined. Add the vanilla extract, then the egg, and beat in well.


2. Sift together the flour and bicarbonate of soda, then use a spoon to add to the mixture, stirring until it just comes together into a dough. Fold in the chocolate pieces, then chill overnight, or for up to 72 hours.


3. Preheat the oven to 180C. Line two baking trays with greaseproof paper, and divide the mixture into golf-ball sized rounds, spacing them well apart. Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden, but not browned.











4. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt if using, and allow to cool on the tray for a couple of minutes, before moving to a wire rack to cool completely – or scoffing immediately.

Source: the Guardian, Life and Style, 25.04.2012