Strawberry and Mango Souffle in 17 Steps

Montage Laguna Beach is one of our favorite local places to eat. Montage is located right on the beach, so as soon as you enter the lobby, you are welcomed by the astounding view of the ocean. The resort offers three different dining options, the Studio, the Loft, and Mosaic Bar & Grill. We usually eat at the Loft, but have also eaten at the Mosaic, which offers a more casual dining option. Since we keep halal, we end up ordering fish, their vegetarian options, and of course dessert and coffee. I highly recommend their Seared Tuna and Soba Noodles, and Mahi Mahi on Parmesan Bread. My toddler loves their Truffle Pizza, and Salmon. They offer seasonal desserts. They use organic ingredients, and their coffee is locally sourced. 

Montage not only offers excellent flavors, but they also offer excellent service. Their hospitality makes us feel valued. Their service makes us want to keep going back to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Our toddler has been going there since she was a baby, and they have always been exceptionally accommodating to her needs. I cannot recommend this resort highly enough. The other bonus is that after enjoying their delicious meal, and excellent service, you get to take a romantic stroll on the beach. 

Fig & Olive, Newport Beach is a recent discovery. So far we have only eaten there once. We have had their Mediterranean Brunch, offered only on weekends. The brunch consists of a nice spread. An assortment of cheeses and olives. Their salmon sushi was okay. I really liked their Farro Salad with Tomatoes. I devoured Fig and Tomato Pizza, which is the reason I cannot wait for us to go back there. They also have a really nice selection of desserts, parfaits, and granola. The service was excellent. The ambiance was beautiful. We recently discovered that their lamb and beef are actually halal, which we didn't know before. So my carnivore husband is also eager for us to go back there. 

When it comes to special occasions my husband takes us out for a meal, and I return the favor by making a dessert. If you love baking, and you want to show someone how much you love them; Strawberry and Mango Souffle is the dessert for you. Here is the story behind this divine dessert. I knew, I wanted to make souffle for Valentine's day because nothing is more ethereal and romantic than a warm souffle. I also knew I wanted to make a strawberry souffle. But, all of the recipes I came across seemed very one dimensional. They consisted of only egg whites, and a berry jam.

So in my pursuit for a flavorful berry dessert, I turned to my wise sister. She suggested, instead of just making a strawberry souffle, I should also incorporate mangoes. And instead of using just cream in the custard for souffle, I should also include coconut milk. So my awesome sister's brilliance paid off, and I ended up with the most flavorful dessert I have ever made. I hope my sister is reading this ode to her unwavering awesomeness :).

I won't lie, this souffle is time consuming, but you end up with such a delicious Strawberry and Mango Souffle that you will not mind all of the hard work that went into making it. The souffle has tropical berry undertones, with the warmth of a delicious custard, and the sultriness of warm dark chocolate. This is the ultimate romantic dessert, my friends.

Strawberry and Mango Souffle
Strawberry and Mango Souffle, with tropical berry undertones, ethereal custard, and sultry dark chocolate.Also, read my reviews of Montage Laguna Beach and Fig & Olive.http://www.cultivateflavors.blogspot.com/2016/02/strawberry-and-mango-souffle-in-step17.html
Posted by Cultivate Flavors on Friday, February 12, 2016

Coffee Custards in 7 Steps

I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.

The above quote from Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Jane Austen quotes. It pretty much sums up the beginning of my husband and mine relationship. When we first met, my husband and I hardly spoke with each other, but before leaving the party he said goodbye to me with the most sincerest smile. And, at that moment I knew that I was "in the middle before I knew I had begun." And six years later, whenever I think of that moment, I am reminded of this indie song by Maria Taylor.

Paris, je t'aime is one of my favorite romantic films. The film shows how complicated, and yet simple love is. Love is about loyalty, betrayal, family, longing, happiness, sadness, passion, and so much more. I also love the soundtrack of the film, especially the song called "La Meme Historie" by Feist. 

"Yes. When we get married, I thought, Oh, we will have a long time together. I thought to myself, Thirty years at least, maybe forty. Fifty, if we are lucky. Why not?” She stares at the picture, lost for a moment then smiles lightly. “But time, it is like charm. You never have as much as you think."

I am aware of the commercial and materialistic aspects of Valentine's Day. But, as the above passage, from Khaled Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed, points us that life is very short. We never have as much time together, as we like. So, it is really important to cherish the time we do have together. These "Hallmark holidays" remind us to take a moment from our busy lives, and show our loved ones how blessed we are to have them in our lives. 

She had existed and now she did not. Not at all, as if not ever. And people hurried around, as if this outrageous fact could be overcome by making sensible arrangements. He, too, obeyed the customs, signing where he was told to sign, arranging-as they said-for the remains.

What an excellent word-“remains”. Like something left to dry out in sooty layers in a cupboard. 

And before long he found himself outside, pretending that he had as ordinary and good a reason as anybody else to put one foot ahead of the other. 

What he carried with him, all he carried with him, was a lack, something like a lack of air, of proper behavior in his lungs, a difficulty that he supposed would go on forever.

Alice Munro's short stories are about ordinary people, living in small Canadian towns, going about their ordinary lives. But, there is so much beauty in the ordinary. In this passage from Dear Life she introspectively explains what it means to lose someone. How even when you feel that the world has collapsed, your lungs are still functioning, your heart is still beating. You feel that you can't go on. But, you must continue living. In the absence of your loved ones, but in the presence of their memories.

I would like to be the air
that inhabits you for a moment
only. I would like to be that unnoticed
& that necessary.

Lastly, these beautiful verses from Margaret Atwood's poem "Variation on the Word Sleep" invoke when it comes to love we want to be necessary without being overbearing.

After this romantic and rather cheesy food for thought, let's discuss these luscious and super quick coffee custards. These coffee custards are inspired by Kean Coffee's Turkish lattes. Kean Coffee is our favorite local organic coffeehouse in Southern California. Try the recipe and please let me know what you think.

Coffee Custards
In honor of Valentine's Day, this week we are going to have two dessert recipes going up. So, if you need a little break from all of the #Superbowl50 madness, watch this video about luscious Coffee Custards.For more videos and recipes visit: www.cultivateflavors.blogspot.com.
Posted by Cultivate Flavors on Sunday, February 7, 2016