Queen Amen
French Pastries and I are intimate friends. There is nothing untouched between us. Bakeries in France are the pearly gates to heaven!
When I arrived in France 19 years ago...I tasted a pastry called Kouign Aman; which is a teaspoon of flour, a ton of butter and an equal ton of sugar baked. A forbidden romance my mouth has never forgotten! The cherry on top of the cake!
Kouign Aman is second to God.
The first time I tasted this I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had seconds, and a slice of heaven went missing! The third day I ate the entire sky. The next day the angels vanished as I ate and ate. By the fifth day hell started to shake. On the sixth day, in my husband birth place, I decided France and I could be friends as long as Kouign Aman and I remain close. On the seventh day there was one fat QUEEN AMEN!
Photo: The image above does not depict Kouign Aman. It never makes it home. These are second best.
* Kouign Aman kinda sounds like Queen-A-man...though Queen Amen went better with this post.
** This is a re-post from last year.
Not looking, not looking, droool. I'm dieting, but still let myself have a little chocolate. I couldn't get near anything that looked as good as the chocolate in your picture. ;)
Posted by: Alexandra | 07 September 2007 at 07:02 AM
I couldn't top Beverly's post . . .
"Kouign Aman and other French pastries for 10 months of the year...beer and tacos for the other two..."
Sounds good to me! LOL
~elaine~ from SoCA
Posted by: Elaine L. | 04 September 2007 at 06:53 AM
I immediately googled this as I could not get a fix on what it looked like. I was so surprised to see the simplicity of its appearance. Clearly good things come in simple packages.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 04 September 2007 at 05:13 AM
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....that's not a hug this time...that's what we said we mustn't do when something that delicious touches our lips...
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...now that's a hug, dear one.
Posted by: annie lockhart | 04 September 2007 at 03:10 AM
Oh, I completely agree. I tasted Kouign Aman by sheer serendipity on my first trip to France and brought it home to the U.S. where I refused to share it with ANYONE. It's just so good.
Posted by: fleur | 04 September 2007 at 03:05 AM
Those are just gorgeous. Wouldn't it be special to be able to make those wonderful treats? I doubt I would have the patience for it, but it would be such a romantic profession.
Posted by: Amanda | 04 September 2007 at 02:20 AM
What lovely pastries! ....I think I must go out now and find some of my own! I know they won't be as beautiful, but perhaps as tasty!
Thanks for sharing such a lovely post.
Posted by: Alice | 03 September 2007 at 10:29 PM
Should we perchance say a prayer of thanks for not leading us too much into temptation? I imagine that an actual photo of Kouign Aman would have us all desperately trying to book the next flight out to France. ;-)
I haven't had time to surf to my favorite blogs for some days now and I must say, I am smitten by your new look, Madame! :-)
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 03 September 2007 at 09:34 PM
Oh, yes! Sweets & pastries & anything dessert...love it. Pretty pic, would love to try those.
Rhoda
Posted by: Rhoda | 03 September 2007 at 08:58 PM
You are one funny queen, I am totally drooling!
Posted by: cruststation | 03 September 2007 at 08:21 PM
I ALWAYS loved that photo!
This trip I will get to taste my first REAL Kouign Aman and I can' wait!!!
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 03 September 2007 at 08:18 PM
oohhh! My very pregnant SIL, who loves EVERYTHING French and loves to cook using French recipes, I am certain woukd love to while away the hours of her pregnancy eating these bits of heaven!
PS - Corey, I think I need to make a trip to France. SIL has a wishlist for the baby and everything is FRENCH! ahhhhhhh! lol
Posted by: beachy | 03 September 2007 at 06:35 PM
Lord have MERCY on us all! I am so hungry for a pastry now!!! (drooling)Of course , there is NOTHING around here that even comes close!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 03 September 2007 at 06:17 PM
wonderfully put!
delphine
Posted by: delphine | 03 September 2007 at 03:55 PM
Never heard of Kouign. Must look into it. Sounds like my kind of heaven too!
Have a delicious day.
Posted by: rochambeau | 03 September 2007 at 02:57 PM
Kouign Aman and other French pastries for 10 months of the year...beer and tacos for the other two...
You have a delictable life Corey!
Posted by: Beverly | 03 September 2007 at 02:45 PM
Sounds delicious my lovely friend.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 03 September 2007 at 02:00 PM
When we last visited Brittany, I was surprised to see markets with many stalls selling "kouign amanns" and "Breton fars"...
They looked very successful !
PS I thought there was a ton of flour in K.A. too !
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 03 September 2007 at 09:52 AM
Some of my neighbors must be from your husband's part of France, because they have shared this cake with me and I agree, it's oh so very good!
Posted by: poppy fields | 03 September 2007 at 09:48 AM
YUM! heavenly french pastries...for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ;-)
Posted by: Hasmin | 03 September 2007 at 09:32 AM
I'm so with you regarding the Kouign Aman!!! Did you eat yours in Brittany?
Posted by: c | 03 September 2007 at 09:32 AM
Oh they look so divine!
I am going to get over to France, that is one of my life goals, I think I will live there for two or three years to learn the language, but I heard so much about the pastries.
Posted by: Brock | 01 April 2006 at 09:34 PM
French pastries....ooh la la! Never have I tasted anything quite like it. When it comes to baguettes, cheeses, and desserts....no-one beats the French!
Posted by: D | 29 March 2006 at 07:19 AM
mmm... the picture itself can make one's mouth water.. haha
Posted by: jinxthegypsy | 28 March 2006 at 03:31 PM
Kouign - it sounds like a very old word, parent to our German "Kuchen", but it's Breton (and means 'layers of butter'?). You always know how to fuel my curiosity.
(yes, back :) I missed you!)
Posted by: mademoiselle a. | 28 March 2006 at 11:41 AM
I'm on a mission now. To find out more about Kouign Aman. And is there a shop in Melbourne that sells it?
Posted by: lee | 28 March 2006 at 07:57 AM
Heaven ~ YESSS!
Posted by: kali | 28 March 2006 at 01:41 AM
You had me at "French Pastries"! I remember my trip to France. We walked everywhere, miles and miles, in search of beautiful, tucked away corners and hidden ruins. Despite all the walking, I came back ten pounds heavier.
I blame the pastries.
And the cheese. Ohhhh, the cheese!
Posted by: Katrina | 28 March 2006 at 12:05 AM
That is my idea of heaven, too! You don't happen to need a housegirl do you? I'd be ever so very happy working for pastries and cakes :0)
Posted by: lulu | 27 March 2006 at 10:32 PM
YUM!!!!
Posted by: la vie en rose | 27 March 2006 at 09:41 PM
All hail that QUEEN! YUM! After that scrumptious description, I'm very, very hungry. And PMS, so this is extra-appealing!! I heart sugar, and butter!!
:) Josephine
Posted by: Josephine | 27 March 2006 at 08:41 PM
Corey,
Can you find this delice here in the south? I have never yet tasted it, yet I must now.
Maria
Posted by: maria | 27 March 2006 at 08:36 PM
HELLLLLLOOOOOO COREYYYYYY! I'M OVER HERE!! CAN YOU SEEE MEEEE?
lol
lauren
Posted by: lauren Mumford | 27 March 2006 at 07:33 PM
gorgeous - with your photos and poetry i think you would make a pig's snout look like something i would wait in line for...
Posted by: stephanie | 27 March 2006 at 07:27 PM
I seriously sat for 10 minutes just now staring at that picture. Oh.
But now I must leave it to help a friend move heavy furniture.
Posted by: cally | 27 March 2006 at 07:17 PM
Thanks a lot for your comment. Love your post. Pastries can be so good...
Posted by: Marieke | 27 March 2006 at 07:11 PM
You should come once to Carpentras and try the chocolate cake by Jouvaud ? - Jouveaud ? - sure, you will come back if you try it !
Posted by: Léonor | 27 March 2006 at 07:09 PM
Corey that was so funny! I guess it is true because I overdosed and gained about 25 kilos when I first got to switzerland. Then I started hiking and thankfully lost all those desserts before moving back! I'm glad I won't make that mistake twice!
Posted by: expatraveler | 27 March 2006 at 06:52 PM
When I come to visit you must save me a piece so that I too can taste heaven.
a.
Posted by: andrea | 27 March 2006 at 06:26 PM
Mouthwateringly delicious... I remember travelling through France with my mother, whenever we went out, she always looked at the dessert menu first - to see if it was passable. I learned from her - the way to the heart is through French sweets...
Posted by: ULLA | 27 March 2006 at 05:48 PM
As the screen loaded to your wonderful post this morning, I swear I heard my tummy growl!! I think the tourism board could use a recruiter like you!! I can barely contain the urge to book a flight!
xoxo
Posted by: Michelle Caplan | 27 March 2006 at 05:47 PM
hi, thanks for visiting my blog. your photographs are gorgeous... i really enjoyed browsing through them.
Posted by: lena | 27 March 2006 at 05:42 PM
sounds betta then an "o" *winky* wink*** :0) sweets and me go hand in hand!
Posted by: berriehead | 27 March 2006 at 05:15 PM
Now I desperately want to fly to France and raid all their bakeries!
Posted by: cruststation | 27 March 2006 at 04:33 PM
You have just amde me incredibly hungry and fascinated.
Posted by: Enid | 27 March 2006 at 04:31 PM
I'll just go wipe my chin!
Posted by: Kristy | 27 March 2006 at 03:42 PM
Oh Corey...What a fine way to begin the day ! Off to go eat my bowl of Special K lol !
Posted by: diana | 27 March 2006 at 03:13 PM
Queen Amen is perfectly appropriate! I love it.
Posted by: Shannon Lewis | 27 March 2006 at 03:09 PM
Amen to the Queen!
oh France is so full of yummy things to eat...
hugs
susan
Posted by: susan | 27 March 2006 at 02:00 PM
You have successfully tortured me this morning by making your photo display those pasteries so well. Seriously they look like I could reach into the screen and politely help myself.
Off the the bakery this morning but I am sure there won't be anything that good. Maybe I will take my camera.
Take care,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | 27 March 2006 at 01:42 PM