A no-bake, limited ingredient, perfect dessert recipe challenge

Thanks for all the responses. . . As for the rest of the menu, it is a bit up in the air, as the plan is to hit the local markets in the morning for inspiration. I just wanted to have dessert settled so it could be partially done in advance and I'd have less to worry about at dinnertime.

Fresh fruit is a little difficult at this time of year -- the fruit available in the markets in Germany is not very inspiring right now.

My limitations also include no electric mixer or any other appliances (and I have such a well stocked kitchen back in the US, I hate to spend the money to buy things here). Bananas Foster was one of my thoughts before, and I may stick with that, but as I will be living in this place for a while, I am happy to have so many good suggestions!

jnovgirl in Home Cooking

A no-bake, limited ingredient, perfect dessert recipe challenge

I am living in Germany in an apartment with a very poorly stocked kitchenette with no oven (so I have limited equipment and just two stove burners, and, of course, access to a different range of ingredients). I am trying to come up with a really tasty dessert to cook for a nice dinner for two. I could go with something simple like a panna cotta or pudding, but for some reason they just don't seem right. Any other no-bake impressively delicious dessert ideas that can be made with such limitations?

I thought maybe a steamed British-style pudding, but I have never made one -- if anyone has any well tested suggestions on that front, I'd appreciate that, too!

Thanks!

jnovgirl in Home Cooking

Favorite things at Surfas

While I always bring some edibles home from Surfas, I go there more for supplies -- I adore their pre-cut parchment sheets. I buy a big stack and just keep them in the bottom of a drawer. Doesn't sound like something you'd have to have, but if you do any cookie baking or cook anything messy or sticky on sheet pans, they are indispensable -- none of the cleanup of silpat or curling and tearing of rolled parchment.

And that reminds me to stop by and pick up a bunch of paper bread pans before the holidays -- perfect if you give cakes or breads as gifts.

I also buy their kitchen towels by the dozen.

I agree with the recommendations for no-nonsense commercial-type kitchen tools, beans and lentils, and chocolate (with a big bag of callebaut milk chocolate chips and those parchment sheets, you can make some fabulous cookies).

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Chocolate Almond Croissants - two good options

Hmm, I've seen pain au chocolat at Maison du Pain, and sometimes almond croissants, but I had never noticed that combination before (and, since I do live in the neighborhood, I was there just this morning, mmmm) -- I will have to keep an eye out!

I've enjoyed the breads I've tried. I got a really good rye once. One dud was a raisin walnut loaf that turned out to have two pieces of walnut in the whole loaf.

As for it being just a store front, even though the place is small, and isn't really a bakery cafe, they do make little sandwiches and lunch-y type items sometimes (I've noticed this on Saturdays -- they're closed Sundays and I've never been there mid-day during the week). And when I was there this morning, I noticed a big new espresso machine -- if they start making good coffee, too, my diet is in trouble!

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Which of these has the best cocktails (or should I go to a wine bar)?

I guess I'll have to try the Bowery one more time. We just wanted a quick before-Arclight drink last week, and after giving up on getting a drink at Hungry Cat (I love HC, but seriously, if they're going to offer drinks only on that patio to the side, they should offer service that comes by more than once every 30 minutes), we tried the Bowery. Unfortunately, we all ordered mojitos, recommended by the server, which were just plain foul. I think they forgot to put any sugar at all in them. Nasty.

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Wien Konditorei in Koreatown

I'd say definitely stop by if you find yourself in the area -- but I'm not sure I'd cross town for it.

I think I read in an earlier post on Paris Baguette that it might be better than Wien. There was an L.A. Times article on them a couple months ago, but it's in the archives ($) now.

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Wien Konditorei in Koreatown

After mentioning Wien myself in the "bakery crawl" thread this morning, I decided it was time to stop just driving past every morning on my way to work, and stopped in.

It is on the north side of Olympic just west of Normandie. There is a small lot which I've noticed is often full.

I didn't really know what to try so I picked up several little things: an almond croissant (pretty tasty, a little dry, not a lot of almond paste -- which I actually like), an assortment of little cookies including langues de chat (good - must try with my afternoon cup of tea), cocoa almond cookies (fine), and walnut macarons (okay. not filled, just the crisp little meringue-like cookies), a mystery bun called "melon pan" (have not tried yet), and a "sesame doughnut" -- a gigantic version of the bean-paste filled, sesame covered balls.

I haven't tried them all yet, but what I have tried has been pretty good, if not earth-shattering. I agree with rbw on the very reasonable prices. Most of the individual pastries are $1 or $1.20, and the little bags of cookies are about $1-$3. I like the combination of traditional European pastries with Asian sweets and flavors. I also picked up a decent iced coffee while I was there.

I'd like to go back and try one of their mousses or cakes when I have time to sit and enjoy them on the patio. Hopefully they taste as good as they look. They've created a quaint little refuge amid the hubbub of Olympic Blvd.

Maybe next week I'll finally get around to trying Paris Baguette (also in Koreatown).

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Going on a bakery spree this weekend

After mentioning Wien myself in this thread this morning, I decided it was time to stop just driving past on my way to work every day, and went in. I'm going to post my thoughts under the thread someone else just started specifically about Wien... Oh, as for location, it's on the north side of Olympic, just west of Normandie. There's a big sign, and a small parking lot, which I notice is usually full.

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area

Going on a bakery spree this weekend

It's been open for just over a year, so not really new, but I'd add Maison du Pain in Mid-City (Pico and Ridgeley). Good chocolate croissants, and they're always adding new things.

And I've been meaning to stop by one of the European-style Koreatown bakeries (Paris Baguette, Wien) which are new to me if not new.

jnovgirl in Los Angeles Area