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Monday, December 26, 2016

The coconut macaroons by Delices and Gourmandises

The coconut macaroons of Delices and Gourmandises are appreciated for their texture that is crunchy on the outside and really soft in the inside first, but also for their delicate exotic taste and aromas. If you want to know how these traditional Alsatian biscuits can be prepared, this is the recipe.



For about 20 coconut macaroons you will need


The recipe is really simple and will not cost you much money as you just have to have:


- 200gr of grated coconut
- 4 egg-white
- 200gr sugar
- A pinch of salt

Delices and Gourmandises advise you to put the egg-whites in the fridge for about 1 hour as they have to be really cold when you will use them.


How to make the coconut macaroons of Delices and Gourmandises?


Put a metallic bowl in the fridge for about 30 minutes.


Pour the cold egg-whites in it with a pinch of salt then beat them with an electric mixer to make them up in firm snow. Check the firmness by putting the bowl upside down. If the whites do not fall down, it is ok.


Add the sugar step by step and beat until it has completely melt.


Pour slowly the grated coconut and mix carefully until you have a homogeneous mixture.


Preheat the oven to 160°C.

Use a pastry bag to form the macaroons on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.


Cook for about 10 minutes. Get them out as soon as they have a delicate blond color.

Let them completely chill before serving.


If you want to try the coconut macaroons made in the Alsatian traditional way and cooked in a copper cauldron, Delices and Gourmandises offers you the opportunity to taste them. Just put your order on our site and also take a look in our catalog to discover all the delicacies we sell.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Delices and Gourmandises grape and apple cookies recipe

Need light, delicious yet crispy treat for breakfast or tea time ? Delices and Gourmandises has the perfect answer with its grape and apple cookies.For those who are fond of homemade pastries, here’s the recipe.


What you need to prepare Delices and Gourmandises grape and apple cookies


- 250g of applesauce without sugar
- 1 cup full to the brim with sugar
- 125g of softened margarine
- 1 whole egg
- 200g of flour
- 100g of oatmeal
- 5 g of sodium bicarbonate
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- ½ c to c of baking powder
- 2 pinches of salt
- 75g of raisins
- 120cl of rum

Delices and Gourmandises recommends amber rum to enhance the cookies aroma.


Prepare the dough


The preparation of the dough being relatively fast, preheat the oven to 180°C before staring. The day before, dip raisins in the rum.


In a large bowl, pour the beaten egg and add the softened margarine, apple sauce and sugar. using an electric thresher, work the mixture at medium speed until you get a homogeneous mixture. Then sift the 2 flours and pour them in rain without ceasing to beat until there are no more lumps. Add bicarbonate, yeast, cinnamon and salt. Continue to beat so that it mixes well. Lastly, remove the raisins from the rum, slightly drain them and put into the preparation.


Delices and Gourmandises tips to bake and taste grape and apple cookies


Flour your baking sheet. Using a spoon, make balls of dough and place them on the plate spacing them about 5 cm (2 inches) apart (the cookies will swell up). Put in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Your cookies are ready when they turn beautiful golden.



Delices and Gourmandises grape and apple cookies can be served hot, warm or cold accompanying a hot or cold drink, it’s up to you ! If you have any remaining, better keep them in an tightly-sealed box, away from moisture and air to prevent them from softening.

Monday, November 21, 2016

The caramel waffle, a suggestion from Delices and Gourmandises

Want a sweet yet light pastry? Caramel waffle will amaze you with its very light dough and the wide variety of ways it can be enjoyed. Experience something new! Delices and Gourmandises offers you an easy-to-follow recipe using caramel.


Delices and Gourmandises tells all you want to know about waffle


Coming from the Latin "gafrum", which means honeycomb, waffle owes its design to a twelfth century blacksmith who invented a very particular iron that draws honeycombs on the dough. From the original recipe, very simliar the hosts’ (flour and water) to the eighteenth century waffle when eggs and milk were added, this pastry became a tradition in Belgium.



However, it can have différent shapes depending on its origin. For example, you may be surprise to learn that in Liège, waffle is small and rounded with 24 holes, while the Brussels version is rectangular and bigger, with only 20 holes.


The recipe of the caramel waffle by Delices and Gourmandises


To prepare twenty waffles, the ingredients are simple: 500gr of flour, half a liter of milk, 3 eggs, 100gr of butter, 50gr of sugar and some yeast.


Mix the flour, egg yolks, melted butter and yeast in a bowl. Add the cooled milk, and if you like it, a drop of hazelnut liquor or rum.


Thoroughly whisk the eggs to snow with a pinch of salt until stiff and gently fold into the dough.


Let stand 30 minutes and prepare the caramel: heat the sugar in 12,5cl of water. As the caramel starts to colour, lower the heat and gently add 25cl of cold water.


Oil the plate of the waffle iron and pour the dough into it. Three minutes should be enough to bake a waffle on both sides. Serve piping hot, generously coated with caramel.


We invite you to take some time to browse Delices and Gourmandises online catalog. Among other delicacies, you will find a soft and tasty version of the caramel waffle. All you have to before letting it delight your taste buds : a quick warming up!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Taste homemade "congolais" or coconut rocks with the Delices and Gourmandises

You have some egg whites in your fridge ? Delices and Gourmandises has a nice idea to use them : prepare some « congolais » or coconut rocks.


Congolais or coconut rocks: what's the difference?


These two names can be used for this little treat made with egg whites, sugar and coconut powder. The name "congolais" comes from Congo, but in the West Indies, it is called "Rocher coco" (coconut rock). The recipe however remains exactly the same. This pastry is very easy and quick to make. Just one egg white, half a teaspoon of butter, 60 gr of sugar and the same amount of grated coconut are enough to bake a dozen.


The preparation does not take more than 5 minutes, and the cooking does not exceed twenty minutes. All you have to do is beat the egg whites with melted butter and sugar. Once the mixture gets foamy, add the coconut powder and stir well to obtain a paste. Next step is to make small cones, the "congolais" very specific shape, on a baking sheet. All that remains for you now is to bake them at 175° for about 20 minutes.


Delices and Gourmandises tasting tips


To vary the delights, you may customize the Congolese or the coco rock recipe for example by adding some lemon or cinnamon. These litlle cakes are ideal for kids snack time, and of course for the adults greedy pleasures. They can be enjoyed with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. This treat can also be served as an aperitif with a dry and full-bodied red wine. If you lack time to bake them yourself, there’s an easy and quick solution : order from Delices and Gourmandises website.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Try this simple recipe of quince liquor from Delices and Gourmandises

Surprise your guests with irresistible quince liquor: thanks to this recipe from Delices and Gourmandises, its preparation becomes child's play.



Experience a unique taste with Delices and Gourmandises


Quince is an autumn fruit that is usually eaten cooked. You can turn it into in compotes, jelly and jam, or use it as a vegetable in some dishes. The quince tree has been cultivated for about 4,000 years. From Persia - now Iran - the quince was already known by ancient Greeks as the "Cydon apple" or "Cydonia pear", with reference to a Cretan region. The Romans also used it in perfumery.


Delices and Gourmandises offers you to enjoy the unique taste and fragrance of a delicious drink made with quince. It will delight your guests as an aperitif or after a good meal shared with family or friends in an easy-going atmosphere.


Realize your quince liquor with Delights and Delicacies


Here’s your little shopping list for a liter of quince liquor:


- 1 l of fruit alcohol
- 1 kg of quince that have a fragrant smell
- 350 g of sugar
- 2 oranges
- 1 star anise

Very easy to make, quince liquor is accessible even to beginners.

First, prepare the fruits. To remove their fuzz, dip them in water, rub gently with a sponge and dry. Then cut them into pieces. Also wash and cut the two oranges into slices.

You are now ready to prepare the liquor following 3 steps.


1) Pour alcohol fruit in large bowl for maceration.
2) Add the quinces and oranges.
3) Stir in anise and sugar.

And now, voila! All you have to do is let the drink marinate for six weeks. Remember to shake from time to time. After the maceration period, strain and pour into a bottle. Your quince liquor prepare the Delices and Gourmandises way is ready for tasting.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Find out all you need to know about candlestick with Delices and Gourmandises

Despite it might often be overlooked or forgotten, candlestick is an effective decorating item, especially thanks to its comforting glow that gives your home an atmosphere of warmth and mystery. Here are Delices and Gourmandises tips to to brighten up your home with candle holders.


More than a simple accessory


Because it is literally a "light bearer", the candlestick and its multiple branches-derivatives, from candle holders to traditional chandeliers, has always had a a very powerful symbolic value.


The best example is of course the menorah, the seven-branched candelabra know as one of the most ancient and widely used symbols of Judaism, and which candles are lit for Hanukkah. Over the centuries, some thinkers such as the Jewish philosopher Philon d’Alexandrie have even seen in it a representation of the sky.




Delices and Gourmandises decorating ideas and tips about candlesticks


To illuminate your dining room table for festive meal, a candlestick or two have the highest say. Associate it with flowers, matching tablecloth and table runner and you will get back the warm spirit of yesteryear’s celebrations.


However, be careful not to use high candle holders that might fall. We invite you to browse Delices and Gourmandises’ catalog to find a small and very stable Bougeoir Nain, which makes the perfect choice for Christmas or New Year's Eve.


If you have ever used a candlestick, you may have already faced the tedious task of removing wax residue inside of it. How to get rid of it when candle has burned to the end of its usefulness and there’s no wick left? Rather than trying to take out the solidified wax with a knife and damage your candlestick, just pour boiling water over it to get the wax underneath melted. It then becomes much easier to remove.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Try the best strawberry liqueur recipe by Delices and Gourmandises

To be enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif, Delices and Gourmandises wild strawberry liqueur is a sweet and fragrant brew that will appeal all red fruits-based drinks. Here’s a very simple recipe for a delicious homemade liqueur.



Ingredients :


Preparing Delices and Gourmandises wild strawberry is very easy. You only need :


- 500g of wild strawberries
- 1l of 40° brandy or white rum
- 500g of powdered sugar + 20 cl water or sugar cane syrup

If you have the opportunity, go for freshly picked fruits and preferably from organic culture.


How to prepare the liqueur?


It won’t take you long to prepare your wild strawberry liqueur following Delices and Gourmandises recipe but maceration period is a bit longer. However, you won’t regret being patient. Wash carefully yet quickly the strawberries under a under a drizzle of cold water then stalks them. Let them dry on paper towel before putting them in a jar. Pour the brandy or rum over the strawberries and tightly close the jar. Let the fruits macerate in alcohol for a whole month.


Once this is done, filter the juice from the preparation. Make a syrup with the sugar and water. Let cool before adding it to the alcoholic juice. If you used cane sugar syrup, add it slowly to get a pretty sweet mixture to your liking.


Keep your beverage in tightly-sealed jar and just like any alcoholic beverage, enjoy it in moderation.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Delices and Gourmandises : Get food back with priorities

My flatmate and I don’t always agree on who is doing the cooking during the week. In balancing work, outings, study sessions, and anything else that may come at us, food doesn’t always make it on our “to-do” list, and neither does making trips to the grocery. And after a while, the take-out down the road just doesn’t cut it anymore. So, when I heard about Delices and Gourmandises menu of items to be delivered straight to the flat, I had to give it a try. It was definitely one of my better decisions. I have placed three orders so far, with nothing but cheers from my flat mate and friends who have shared the delivered meals with me. Great food, easy ordering, easy delivery.


Delicious meals ready to serve from Delices and Gourmandises


Whether you’re craving some Indian, Chinese, or some more traditional comfort food, Delices and Gourmandises has got it ready for you to order. They even have snacks and appetizers for our more couch centered days, and their meals are great. The butterbean braised lamb is particularly good, although I was hesitant to try it since it is one of my favorite dishes from home. I ventured and it didn’t disappoint! Great sauce and a great combination of flavors that reminded me of mum’s cooking (not that I could ever tell her that). For those who are more upscale than a simple stew, Delices and Gourmandises also offers duck and seafood pates and platters that I’ve heard are great. The stuffed olives and goat cheese crackers are a perfect combination for sharing with some friends. My favorite is the cheese oatcakes (also a childhood memory). Delicious!


No Complaints Here


I have never had a complaint from anyone when we have had the meals or snacks from Delices and Gourmandises. The food is great and the pictures are just as appetizing as the items themselves! There are definitely more items I am interested in trying, but for now I have to say that this is one of the best options when you are tired of cooking or have a busy week ahead and just can’t plan another meal. This is a great way to make it all work!

Monday, September 26, 2016

Pair your ice cream with delicious pastries from Delices and Gourmandises

Ice creams are great dessert and tea time delicacy. Here are some secrets and ideas proposed by Delices and Gourmandises for you to make your snack more original.


A matter of taste


Ice creams are generally really sweet. You can pair them with multiple kinds of pastries or other delicacies to enhance the taste even more. Given the fact that all the ingredients taste amazing, it would be hard to distinguish all the different kinds of flavors you are having.




In order to spice up the flavors of ice cream that are known to have a smooth taste such as vanilla, milk chocolate, and banana, it is better to use acidic product to pair with them. Red fruits coulis are the best flavor enhancers. It is even better if you use slightly salted or caramel flavored products.


In another hand, ice cream with strong flavors such as pistachio, chocolate sorbets, and green lemons pair better with smooth cream in order to alleviate the flavor. In sum, it is all about pairing contrasts.


And of texture


Always in the domain of contrast, but this time concerning texture, Delices and Gourmandises proposes you to always pair ice cream with dry biscuits. Their crispy textures combine perfectly well with the soft property of ice creams.


There is a reason why ice creams are always paired with crispy cat’s tongues. If you want to change a little bit you can also choose to use tuiles, butter biscuits, or other delicacies that you can order directly from Delices and Gourmandises.


Finally, you can always try to use dried fruits or other kinds of jams to complement your ice cream and to get other original taste.


Monday, September 19, 2016

Health benefits of red wines

According to Dita Von Tesse’s hairdresser, John Blaine, red wines are good for your hair. Here is how it works according to Delices and Gourmandises.


The benefits of red wines to a healthy hair growth



First of all, let it be clear to you all Bordeaux wine lovers out there that the secret is not about drinking a lot of red wine and waking up in the morning expecting to have a sudden positive change in the quality of your hair. As a matter of fact, the key is not drinking wine but apply it on your hair.


Wine contains polyphenols which are known for their natural antioxidant property. That is the reason why John Blaine is using wine for the conception of Vine de la Vie.


Polyphenols are molecules with high content in vitamin E, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 which are necessary elements for a healthy hair growth. They are also great for preventing hair loss.


Try this red wine traditional recipe on your hair


Shampoos and red wines are used to revive and repair your hair. They, therefore, play an important role in curing dry and damaged hair. The variety proposed by John Blaine which comes with a shampoo, a hair gel, and a conditioner is, however, quite expensive since each product costs around 30 to 45 euros. Fortunately, there are traditional recipes you can easily find on the internet and use to get the most out of wine. All you have to do for now is order a fine bottle of wine at Delices and Gourmandises.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Tasteful homemade raspberry wine with Delices and Gourmandises

Surprise your guests with this raspberry wine recommended by Delices and Gourmandises! Its subtle fruit flavor will for sure delight everyone.




Try this easy-to-make recipe


The secret of perfect raspberries wine lies in the choice of a quality wine and freshest raspberries. To get a little more than 1 liter, you will need:


- 400 g to 500 g of raspberry

- 1 liter of red wine (you can also choose a rosé)

- 400 g of sugar

- 1 small glass of marc spirit

- Wash the raspberries and drain them thoroughly. Meanwhile, mix the sugar, wine and brandy.

- Add the raspberries to the liquid mixture and let marinate for 5 days, away from sun. Once done, all that remains is to strain while crushing the raspberries with a spoon to get as much juice as possible and pour it into glass bottles.

- To avoid any risk of contamination with mould, Delices and Gourmandises recommends to sterilize the bottles prior to using them. To do this, simply dip them in a pan filled with cold water and bring it to a boil for a minimum of three minutes. Then just let the bottles dry and cool.

Tasting advice tips from Delices and Gourmandises


Easy to drink and delightfully refreshing, this raspberries wine is great for aperitif before a summer lunch or for parties with friends. It also goes very well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It keeps in the fridge for up to 15 days.

Monday, September 5, 2016

Try this delicious blueberry liqueur selected by Delices and Gourmandises

Some regional liqueurs and brandies are best purchased in shops or directly from producers. Things are different when it comes to blueberry liqueur as you can prepare it yourself and personalize it according to your tastes, thank to this delightful recipe from Delices and Gourmandises.




Delices and Gourmandises recipe


For homemade blueberry liqueur, you will need:
- 1 liter of brandy
- 500 g of blueberries (or a bit more if you want to slightly soften its taste)
- 350 g of sugar
- 25 cl of spring water
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 vanilla pod (both optional)
- The juice of a small lemon

... and a lot of patience, but this delicious beverage is totally worth the wait.


The preparation could not be simpler: wash the blueberries and drain thoroughly before mixing with the other ingredients. It is better to dissolve the sugar in alcohol and water before mixing. Marinate in a bottle away from the sun for 4 to 6 weeks.


The liquor should have taken a beautiful pinkish color slightly purple by then. It is now time to strain. To remove as much particles as possible, you can also use a coffee filter.


You can enjoy it right away, but Delices and Gourmandises experts recommend to keep it in your cellar for at least a month before serving.


Tips to taste and bring out the flavour of your liquor


This deliciously scented liqueur is usually drunk as it is, without water or ice, and is a great digestive after a family lunch. It perfectly accompanies a chocolate dessert such as brownies or a black forest cake and a scoop of ice cream.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Try Delices and Gourmandises delightful chocolate pretzel recipe

Among the pastries and confectioneries available on Delices and Gourmandises website, the chocolate pretzels are one of the best-sellers. If you want to make them on your own at home, follow this quick, easy and tasty recipe.


Delices and Gourmandises reveals chocolate pretzels recipe


For 8 people, you need:


- 275gr of flour
- 120gr of butter
- 60gr of powdered sugar
- 100gr of cocoa powder
- 1 egg

For the icing:


- 175gr of icing sugar
- 250gr of plain chocolate
- 25gr of butter

Preparation Instructions


- Preheat oven to 190°C (thermostat 6/7)
- Butter a baking tray.
- In a bowl, work the butter with an electric mixer with the sugar until the mixture whitens.
- Add the beaten egg.
- Slightly dilute cocoa and add it to the butter-sugar mixture.
- Gradually add the flour, beating well until smooth and blended.
- Place the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- With dough pieces, form sticks of 10 cm long and 6 mm thick.
- Wax them up to take pretzels shape: first form a circle then return the two halves into one another.
- Place the pretzels on the baking tray, leaving enough space for them to swell during cooking.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Let pretzels cool completely on rack.
- In a bowl, break chocolate into pieces and melt it in a water bath.
- Then also melt the butter and mix it with the chocolate and icing sugar, stirring well.
- Dip each pretzel into the preparation, dropping the surplus in the bowl. Let dry on a sheet of baking paper. To end, sprinkle with some icing sugar.

Order your chocolate pretzels from Delices and Gourmandises


At any time of the day, you can enjoy these light and delicious chocolate pretzels. And to avoid being short of small pastries, please browse Delices and Gourmandises catalog, choose all your favorites and get your order door-delivered within few days!

Monday, August 15, 2016

Délices et Gourmandises, the Kingdom of kugelhopf

From the eighteenth century, both kids and adults are fond of kugelhopf, a tasty celebration cake that became even more popular because of the mystery surrounding its origins and legends about it. Let’s find out more about it with Delices and Gourmandises.


An exquisite brioche with multiple spellings



Sweet bread, similar to brioche, flavored with raisins and almonds, baked in a ring-shaped clay mold, and usually sprinkled with powdered sugar before serving, kugelhopf is an Alsatian specialty. It is also popular in other European countries such as Austria, Czech Republic and south Germany, which explains the wide variety of spellings when it comes to write its name.
To enjoy this taseteful brioche, Delices and Gourmandises recommends to dip your kugelhopf slices into coffee with milk for breakfast. It can also be enjoyed at afternoon snack time.

Discover Delices and Gourmandises’ desserts selection


Prepared with flour, butter and raisins, kugelhopf baked by Delices and Gourmandises are best when served warm for dessert. The small amount of orange and lemon zest adds some extra flavor complexity. The cake has a nice golden color on the outside in an appetizing presentation.
The cake is entirely topped with icing sugar, and is to be enjoyed without moderation with family or friends by the fire place.
To enjoy our delicious kugelhopf, you are most welcome on our website to place your order. It will be door-delivered within 48 working hours, after a preparation meeting the standards of safety and hygiene.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Learn more about gum arabic thanks to Delices and Gourmandises

Gum arabic is often found in sweets and other food. To taste it, try Delices and Gourmandises delicious acacia sweets that are made with gum arabic. If you want to know more about this ingredient, this article is for you.


What is gum arabic?



This ingredient used in Delices and Gourmandises acacia candy is actually solidified sap produced by a variety of acacia. It is also called acacia gum. Some also know it as Senegal gum, although the tree from which it is extracted comes from Sudan. It is rich in potassium salts, magnesium, and calcium. It has no taste, no peculiar smell, and dissolves in water. It is sold in powder or crystals, and its color varies from yellow to brown.


What are the main uses of gum arabic?


Gum arabic has been known for millenniums and is used in many areas, to secure Egyptian mummies bandages, but nowadays to solidify textiles and make them shine. In cosmetics and pharmacy, it is used to cure certain skin conditions and to heal wounds. In building construction, it optimizes roofs impermeability. Finally, it is used to make paper gummed for labels and stamps.


Gum arabic in food


Gum arabic is a treat to chew in its home country. You can find some on Delices and Gourmandises under the name acacia candy. In the food industry, it is known as E414. It is used as an emulsifier in citrus-extracted oils tastes and support for flavorings. It is also very effective as a colloid in emulsions.

Friday, August 5, 2016

An easy-to-make rock praline recipe with Delices and Gourmandises

Among Delices and Gourmandises’best sellers, delicacies lovers certainly know and appreciate pralines rocks. Crunchy on the outside, nicely smooth on the inside, they are simply irresistible! Surprise your beloved ones, prepare them on your own following this easy recipe.




Delices and Gourmandises shares the main ingredients


For the praline, you need 150gr of hazelnuts, 130gr of sugar, 1 vanilla pod, 20gr of dark chocolate with a minimum of 60% of cocoa and 80gr of milk chocolate. Use 80gr of whole hazelnuts for topping. For coating, you need 50gr of mixed nuts, 200gr of dark chocolate with a minimum of 60% cocoa and 200gr of milk chocolate.


Over the years, the pastry masters have brought their own personal touch by adding chopped almonds, some biscuit or 10cl of cream to improve the taste and texture of this delicacy.


Prepare your pralines rocks with Delices and Gourmandises


As a start, prepare the filling and praline: pour the sugar and hazelnuts in a pan. Divide the caramel on baking paper. Once cooled, the caramel should be coarsely manually crushed. Then mix everything until you get a thick and grainy praline paste. Set this preparation aside and move to the coating. Melt the dark chocolate and milk chocolate, then add the mixed nuts, praline paste and chopped almonds and other ingredients you want to include the preparation.


Mix until obtaining homogeneous dough to pour into a pastry bag, which is to be placed in silicone molds for easy removal. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Once unmolded, your pralines rocks can be chocolate-coated then sprinkled with praline. When you lack time, there’s a solution: order an assortments of chocolates or chocolate pastries from Delices and Gourmandises, your favorite online confectionery.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Some techniques to preserve your wine well

If you plan to age wine at home, or if you just want to have a good bottle at your house in order to celebrate a special occasion, here are some techniques presented to you by Delices and Gourmandises.


Learn how to create optimal wine aging conditions with Delices and Gourmandises


First, you need to know how to get a wine cellar temperature at home. It has to be fresh with a temperature between 10°C and 14°C.  Thermal shock and the shift between warm and cold can degrade the elasticity of the cork which can lead to a possible air penetration inside the bottle and cause the fast oxidation of the wine. Make sure you lay down the bottle in order to bedew the cork. Unnecessary movement and vibration can also degrade the quality of the wine.

Humidity inside the room must be between 70% to 80% so that the cork remains intact. Be sure it doesn’t get passed that threshold; otherwise it will stimulate the presence of moisture and could lead to a total deterioration of the quality of the wine. It is imperative you keep your bottles away from the sun because the UV lights can quicken oxidation.

Find the best wines with Delices and Gourmandises


If you have a room or cellar that gives you the opportunity to have the optimal conditions we mentioned earlier, you can start to keep your wine bottles in there. It is also possible to get a tool that is specifically dedicated to that matter.
In the meantime, you can already browse through Delices and Gourmandises’ catalog to discover the different variety of wines available. You can order your bottle depending on the type of dish you are having. Delices and Gourmandises also offers a home delivery of their products.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

How to keep your wines after the opening of the bottles? Delices and Gourmandises gives you some tips

It would be perfect if each opened bottle of wine can be emptied the same day, but if it is not the case, it is recommended to drink it in 3 to 5 days after the opening. During this time, some precautions should be taken to preserve the taste and the aromas of the wine.


How to keep the red wines?


The 3 big enemies of the red wines are oxygen, high temperature and light. First of all, Delices and Gourmandises recommends you to close well the bottle to prevent the wine from oxidation; you can use its cork if it is not damaged. Then, an opened bottle must be kept far away from heat sources. Finally, you have to keep it far from light; that is why the wine bottles have this deep green color.


You can put your bottle in the cellar if you have one, or in the fridge, on the door pocket and at the bottom. But you still have to drink your wine within 5 days after the opening.


How to keep the white wines?


As the red wines, the white wines do not like light and high temperatures. Moreover, you must know that the very sweet white wines can be kept longer than the others. For keeping the taste and the aromas of your beverages, Delices and Gourmandises advices you to pour them in smaller containers in order to avoid oxidation, and to close them well before you put them in the fridge or in the cellar.


If you are a fan of good French wines, Delices and Gourmandises proposes a wide range of delicious wines from the best French vineyards. You can find red, white, rosé wines but also fruity wines and wines for aperitifs.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Delices and Gourmandises’ vanilla cream cookies finely glazed with chocolate

Delices and Gourmandises offers you a journey into your childhood memories with these biscuits with vanilla cream. Small delicacies to enjoy with family or friends to taste or evening.

Delices and Gourmandises’recipe

For the biscuits
  •  125gr butter
  • 300gr flour
  • 100gr sugar
  • One teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 egg yolks
Mix all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Remove dough from bowl and knead gently with the fingers. Let stand at least 1 hour in the refrigerator and shape into small balls then spread to a thickness of about 3 mm to 5 mm. Arrange on a plate and bake at 150°C until lightly browned (about 10 minutes).

For the vanilla cream

  • 125gr icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla sugar or a teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 25gr softened butter
  • 10 ml of milk
Mix ingredients together until you get a smooth paste without lumps

For the chocolate icing

Pastry or regular chocolate (about 100gr)
Spread a thin layer of cream on a biscuit and cover with another. Repeat the process for all the biscuits.
Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. For the icing, simply quickly dip one side of the cookies in melted chocolate.

Some tasting tips

It goes without saying that thank to vanilla cream and chocolate icing these cookies will be obviously very sweet so they will be best enjoyed with a glass of milk for small kids or with plain tea or black coffee for adults.
Once prepared, they can be stored without problem from 10 to 15 days in a sealed cookie box.
Feel free to browse the catalog of Delices and Gourmandises to discover other treats to enjoy at home.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Cassis by Delices and Gourmandises

Cassis, the notorious red-violet colored liquor, makes the reputation of Bourgogne. It is used in cooking to prepare delicious recipes, and is perfect to make delightful cocktails. Discover its history and some tasting tips with Delices and Gourmandises.



Discover the history of the blackcurrant liquor with Delices and Gourmandises


The production of blackcurrant liquor is inseparable from the name of Auguste-Denis Lagoutte. He is the first who started the production of this liquor in 1836, after a visit to the capital, where he could notice the high consumption of blackcurrant ratafia in Parisian cafés.


Cassis is popularized in the early twentieth century, specifically in 1910, when the mayor of Dijon, at an official reception, decided to replace the champagne by this blackcurrant liquor extended with white wine.


Delices and Gourmandises’ advices to enjoy blackcurrant liquor




In cuisine, cassis garnishes perfectly your salads including melon or beetroot. It also goes well with fish, venison, cheese, and various fruits and jams. Nature, it is used as topping on desserts. Cassis is also used to concoct delicious drinks. Depending on your wishes, it is consumed as an aperitif or a digestif. For example you can associate it with dry white wine to make the famous white-cassis. For this, Delices and Gourmandises suggest the “Riesling Moulin de Dusenbach”. As a digestive, it is possible to replace the white wine with red wine. You can also try the vermouth-cassis, a mix of one third blackcurrant liquor, 2/3 of dry vermouth and sparkling water.


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

All you always wanted to know about the madeleines secrets with Delices and Gourmandises

The madeleines are one of the most known French pastries. It comes from the Lorraine region and its form reminds us a shell. Delices and Gourmandises presents you the history of this delicious little cake.


Discover the madeleine with Delices and Gourmandises


The madeleine has gained his fame with the Marcel Proust book À la recherche du temps perdu, which is the first part of his novel Du côté de chez Swann. Even if the madeleine origins are quite vague, specialists of history said that it has been probably invented in Commercy city, in the Lorraine region in the 18th century. The tradition also said that it has been served first to Stanislaw Lezczynski, duke of Lorraine, that gave them the name Madeleine, referring to the young woman who prepared them.



Generally served at tea time or for breakfast, the madeleine has also been in practically all French schoolbag. This shell formed traditional little cake that is smooth and dome shaped on the top and ribbed on the sides is really sweet in the inside. That is why it is best to serve it when it is hot. You can also sprinkle them with some powdered sugar before serving. Nevertheless, at Delices and Gourmandises, we opt for a lemon aromatized icing, slightly acid.


Sweet and soft madeleines at Delices and Gourmandises


As for the classic sponge cake, the madeleine is made from pounded dough, which means that the eggs and the sugar are beaten together before adding the sifted flour. But unlike the sponge cake, melted butter is added to the mix, or slightly heated butter. This ingredient makes the madeleine dough very light and tender, with a delicious butter aroma and taste.



At Delices and Gourmandises, you can find the classic soft golden madeleines prepared according to the traditional recipe. For tea time or for snack, they will satisfy the little and bigger children.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Russian cigarettes presented to you by Delices and Gourmandises

Russian cigarettes are best to enjoy with coffee, tea, and hot milk. They can also be consumed with ice cream. One should not be mistaken by the name though. Although its name has the word Russian, the pastry was not created by Russians. Where does it come from then? Delices and Gourmandises will give you a brief explanation.

A pastry “made in Belgium” you can easily find at Delices and Gourmandises

It was invented in 1945 by a Belgian company called Delacre. The name is actually an antonomasia which means that the title Russian cigarettes or cigarettes Russes in French was originally a registered trademark but its success designated it to be used in everyday language. It is called as such due to its cigarette looking design but also because Russians are used to wrapping their cigarettes diagonally.
The Delacre company has been in the trade industry since 1891. Charles Delacre, its creator, was a French national living in Brussels. He was originally a pharmacist and in 1870, he decided to create a chocolate factory because chocolate was widely prescribed by pharmacists during that time period due to its toning and invigorating property.
He started producing pastries in 1891 in order to add a touch of diversity in his activity and also to reinforce his already successful company, marking the beginning of his company's spectacular journey.
You will easily find this kind of pastry in Delices and Gourmandises Catalogue.

Other fine products are also available at Delices and Gourmandises for your convenience.

If you would like to experience one of Delices and Gourmandises trick to please yourself, try to enjoy some Russian cigarettes with hot milk in front of your TV. Other fine products are also available at Delices and Gourmandises for you to enjoy. Our catalogue will help you discover pastries such as: Rum Babas, fruit cakes, apple and grape biscuits and, caramel waffles.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Shortbread recipe by Delices and Gourmandises



Delices and Gourmandises shortbread butter is a snack you can enjoy anytime during the day. Here is an easy to follow recipe of this pastry to help you prepare your own.

Ingredients for 20 shortbreads


- 1 egg

- 60gr sugar

- Vanilla flavored sugar

- 125gr flour

- 60gr butter

 



Preparation

Beat the egg in a pan and split it in two. Add a pinch of salt, sugar, and vanilla flavored sugar in one half and mix everything well until you get a white and homogenous mixture. Pour flour then work on your paste with your hand until you have a sandy texture. Add butter and crush your paste before you make a ball with it. Add some more flour if you feel that your newly formed ball is not firm enough and greasy. Wrap it with a plastic foil and put it in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
You can vary the flavor by adding shredded lemon zest, vanilla or rum just like those you find at Delices and Gourmandises

Delices and Gourmandises : How to cook and serve your biscuits?

Unwrap the paste out of the plastic foil and use a rolling pin to flatten it so that it would be about half centimeter thick. Use a knife to carve your biscuits. Put them on top of a baking sheet covered by another baking paper. Then, put them inside the oven for 20 minutes. Temperature should be 180°C.
Delices and Gourmandises’ shortbreads can be served with either hot or cold drink. Keep your shortbreads inside an airtight box so that they do not lose their firm texture