Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Once when wishing was having ...

"There once was a time when wishing was having...."


And so begins a Brothers Grimm tale. And so begins my play In the Village of the Brothers Grimm. A recipe is like that line. An ingredient can invoke a wish "when wishing was having" and you vow to have it. And with cooking - as with enchantment - it is all so possible.
`
"There once was a time –
Of enchantment and charms –
Of heroes, fair maidens, and sillies who dwelled –
In a land faraway –
In the seasons we call – Once upon a time."

Some strawberries with a dollop of ricotta....


Drizzled with orange blossom honey - and I am back - in once upon a time. In Italy maybe. In Grandma's kitchen in the 1940's - before my time. But not. For all times become "once upon a time."

Dreamy mascarpone cheese. Whipped with two tablespoons of powdered sugar and one teaspoon of vanilla and I have soft pillows for fairies.


The peasant in me emerges as I press the sweetened mascarpone into chocolate dessert shells - prepared by my grocer. My magic wand was out of commission.


Perhaps these are the sweet cakes Simpleton's mother prepared for her children in the Golden Goose.


Or perhaps the Beast left some of these at Beauty's table. Sweet nothings. Try it - everyone needs a sweet nothing in their life.
8 oz mascarpone
2 tbl powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Mix. Press into chocolate dessert shells. Top with berries - your favorite or mix and match. Berry season is here. For one evening you will live happily ever after.
`
Grimms ends their tales with the story of The Golden Key. And so I ended my play.
In a snowy wood, a young boy is gathering wood. He is shivering from cold and decides to make a fire. He clears the snow for the woods and finds - a golden key. He thinks - if there is a key, there is a chest. And what wonders could be in the chest! And ... he finds the chest. And ... lo and behold the key fits. He turns the key. He opens the chest....

"We must wait as he lifts the lid up – We must wait as he discovers what untold treasures lay in the chest. We must wait."
`
For there will always be more. And so it is with tales. And so it is with sweet nothings, food and recipes. If we are lucky - there will always be more. Just - be careful what you wish for.

40 comments:

velva said...

That is the beauty of food, you can create what you wish. I never thought about it quite in that way but, it is so true.

Nancy said...

Claudia, in my own fairy tale the treasure chest would most definitely be filled with these tartlets! There is just something about the creaminess of mascarpone with juicy, sweet and tangy berries -- heavenly. These look so lovely. I am inspired.

Sasha said...

Yum! Looks easy, fresh and delicious - and so perfect for spring!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

And they all lived happily ever after eating those mascarpone filled chocolate shells topped with berries. I want to be part of that story. guess what the word verification is this time? braine - funny eh?

Lyndas recipe box said...

What lovely, delicious treasures Claudia. Chocolate, mascarpone and berries is a winning combo!

Cooking Rookie said...

Great desserts! So simple, light and delicious :-). Can you imagine I've never made anything with mascarpone?! I think I have to buy some and try those chocolate cups of yours Thanks for the recipe!

denise @ quickies on the dinner table said...

I love mascarpone! Thanks for sharing another great way to use it :)

P/s - the fairy tale was nice too. Can you come read at my house tonight? ;)

3 hungry tummies said...

What a great treat that will transport you down memory lane. A very memorable post!

casalba said...

"A recipe is like that line". I'm going to have to remember this. What a lovely way of looking at it.

Anonymous said...

Beautifully written. And the contrast of flavours and textures in these cute desserts just as perfect!

Wanda..... said...

Loved the post Claudia, it falls in line with my thoughts yesterday, while noticing the blackberry bushes coming to life. Realizing...I still had blackberries in the freezer from last summer, when I hoarded them. There will always be more, not to worry!
Your desserts look delicious!
♥...Wanda

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

makes me feel like having a large brunch making beautiful dessert and this one is perfect! love the berries dad would have loved this as well!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

This look refreshing and delicious!

My Little Space said...

Look at all the berries...guess spring is here already! Ooo...how I love the berries to go with the cheese. Sound delicious! I wonder what's in your mind when you're in that play....thinking of the food or thinking of the line! hehe.... Have a wonderful day, Claudia!
Cheers, Kristy

ann low said...

I was also thinking to make strawberries with cheese or yogurt.

Mary Bergfeld said...

I really loved your post - words and pictures :-). Beauty's tarts sound delicious. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Angie's Recipes said...

Love these mulberry tarts! They must have tasted heavenly with mascarpone!

Shamrocks and Shenanigans said...

I have to have this...NOW

I can not help it..I am absolutely starving and you are killing me!!! OMG I have to have some of this! Why do I torture myself like this...
Shamrocks and Shenanigans

theUngourmet said...

I love your post, it made me smile! Such wonderfully sweet treasures.I Especially love the chocolate cups with the blackberries! Mmm!

Barbara GF said...

I would live happily ever after with these treats of yours, Claudia. You are such a poet - on the page and in the kitchen.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'd love one of each, please! Berries and sweetened cheese --what a wonderful combination. They are a true fairtale of delight ...just like your wonderful new play!

Reeni said...

These really are little treasures, Claudia! They would be in the fairy tale of my dreams. Such heavenly delights.

chow and chatter said...

love this easy to prepare and so five star

Sutapa said...

Those look heavenly! A winning combo Claudia!

Kim said...

Loved this post Claudia! The berries with ricotta cream look amazing. You are such a doll.

Anonymous said...

Perfect little desserts! I love the combo of mascarpone and berries!

janet said...

I was already drooling and then you added the perfect touch- those blackberries! I'm wishing...

Caveman Cooking said...

That last line couldn't be more true, Claudia!
These look devine!!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What lovely little treats you've made Claudia. I totally agree with "watch what you dream of" - you never know.
Sam

Katy ~ said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this post.

Do you know I have never had mascarpone cheese? I have some in the fridge, looking for some lovin' and now I think I'm going to do this.

Thank you so much!

Jen_from_NJ said...

What perfect desserts! I love the berry and cheese combination. Simple and delicious! I will definitely be adding to my repertoire!

Trish said...

Oh....I love love love how you intertwine your writing with your food and recipes....great post.

gaga said...

Oh my, all of it looks fantastic.

joe@italyville said...

I wish, I wish... I had one of your treats to eat!

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

Strawberries with ricotta....I am in heaven and other one with chocolate, scrumptious!!

Have a great week :)

Gera

figtree said...

Oh my! Now thats a dessert!

Peter @ italyMONDO! said...

MMmmm... Now I've had strawberries in every which way, but never with Ricotta and honey!

That will be my snack for tonight... :-)

Juliana said...

Claudia, what a nice dessert, so refreshing and so pretty. Love the berries :-)

Proud Italian Cook said...

You can't get better than this, truely an exceptional taste!

Nour El-Zibdeh said...

This is beautifully said, executed, and hopefully delicious as well. I've never tried ricotta cheese on strawberries, but good idea. And the chocolate shells are amazing.. I doubt my grocer has them though