When I was about nine-years old my parents took me on this wonderful trip to Europe. We spent christmas in a castle that has been converted into a hotel, which I am sure there are a lot of in Europe but it was pretty magical for a nine-year old. That year for christmas I got given my first camera, and a bottle of rose perfume. The bottle of perfume had a slow leak and the smell of rose permeated everything in my suitcase for the rest of the trip. Even now when I smell rose I am taken back to this holiday. Most of the recollections are of food. Having bocconcini for the first time in a packed lunch, while walking the ruins of Pompeii after my mum had been out shopping and seen people making this strange fresh cheese in a deli. Minestrone soup in Rome after the waiter dropped the first attempt at delivering our meals all over us. Garlic snails in a Greek restaurant Paris while we shared a table with friendly group of people, and at the other end of the table and a little band played. The first time I had polenta was in Venice, and I loved to order oxtail soup and stuffed potatoes in the pubs in country England. The whole time everything smelled of rose. Last stop was America, I rember it beeing so bitterly cold in Washington and the perfect antidote was a huge urn of hot mulled apple cider in the hotel lobby. In America I must of bought some lollies and chocolates becasuse I rember when I got home eating these sweets that were all infused with my rose perfume. The best rose combernation was with the lemon jubes.
A couple of months ago I bought some dried rose buds from the Essential Ingredient, I wanted to make something for a Wednesday night at III Bean inspired by the rose and lemon combination. I didn’t make a tart which was my initial thought. After several failed attempts I decided to make a vanilla mousse cake with a lemon centre and a rose jelly top, I soaked the almond sponge at the base of the cake in a lemon rose sugar syrup. It is a pretty cake and quite different from anything I have made before, but I am very happy with the outcome. Mum and dad; thanks for the holiday all those years ago, and if you are reading this and you feel like revisiting my memory of this holiday I have some spare cakes in the fridge at home.
Wow – I thought the cake looked beautiful enough, but combined with that magical story… Lovely! What is it about rose perfume and leaks? I have a bottle of Stella that’s been leaking into its box ever since I bought it. When I finally use the last drops that amethyst silk lining infused with rose perfume is going straight into my dressing table. Mmmmm.
You could always wrap a box of chocolates in the silk, unwrap them and you will have rose chocolates. Thanks for the lovely comments.
Thanks for the wander down memory lane. The cake looks almost too pretty to eat. …..almost.
How delicate and gorgeous!! I can imagine the taste from here…the sumptuous velvety texture, the refreshing tang and just a hint of rose at the beginning and towards the end. Beautiful story to accompany it too!!
Hi Alice
The fragrant image you have created in my mind is gorgeous. So many dishes have beautiful memories embedded within.
Every time I eat this cake now (I will try to make it, and I know my friend Madeleine will try it too because she is a born Parisian – ‘native’ somehow doesn’t seem the right word – and she loves cooking) I will think of your story and the castle, and the little girl who grew up to be a creative genius of the taste buds.
love
Kerry xxxxxxO
What am amazing memory you have triggered by the smell of rose. I want to take my daughters on such a holiday so when they grow up they will be as inspired as you. The cakes are so delicate and pretty looking, I so wish I could taste them.