5/28/08

Croque-en-Bouche on a 16th Birthday!


It wasn’t planned.

It was a spur-of-the-moment invite.

It was the perfect way of ending our night of birthday celebration with our son, Elliot, who had just turned 16.


Our friend Senator Jason Atkinson called as our family of 5 was heading out the door to birthday dinner. We said we’d come by after we ate.

Having just gotten back from being out of town, Jason and Steph went way over the top for us. With not much time to prepare, Jason practiced hospitality in a fashion that made us all smile (as always, with a sense of humor = note the glasses!)

When we arrived, Jason had his chefs uniform on and was cooking a surprise for us in the kitchen. His little guy, Pomp, even joined in the fun.

We visited and mingled while he made the most delicious croque-en-bouche. The pictures do no justice to the flavor that we experienced, if you know what I mean.

I actually believe I OD’d on croque-en-bouche, as we ate it warm out of the oven with powdered sugar on top, as we licked our sticky fingers.

The dessert is basically a pyramid of profiteroles or cream puffs filled with creme patissier (custard), and then held together by toffee, maple, or sometimes a chocolate sauce.


I loved the spontaneity of our friend and his wife. They were obviously thinking of their guests and not their own tired bodies, weary from traveling!

As I got in the car, I pointed out to my children that “Senator A” learned the lesson of hospitality well (from his parents!) That boy is a lover of fine foods and he sure knows how to cook! And we were the lovely recipients of a very tasty evening (and fun bicycling for the kids!)


Our visit last night was the icing on the cake, the perfect ending of a 16-year birthday celebration.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful son, Elliot!

17 comments:

Jenster said...

Oy! I'm trying not to drool on the keyboard!!

Happy birthday, Elliott!! (My son turned 16 at the end of April. '92 was a good year, wasn't it?)

An Adventurer in the World said...

Happy Birthday to your son!

Elliot would have been the name of my second son, LOVE that name : )

Barb said...

Looks like Senator Jason is a great host--luv the specs! And now Elliot will be able to do all your errands for you--go Elliot!

An Ordinary Mom said...

Happy Birthday, Elliot! It looks like he had a wonderful and memorable 16th birthday.

That dessert looks heavenly. Do you have an easy recipe?

OKGardners said...

Happy Birthday, Elliot! What a sweet group of kids you have been blessed with.

It is so nice that you have hospitable friends, too.

Love to all of you,
Betty in Oklahoma

tammi said...

Wow, someone mentioned drooling and I have to admit, I'm having the same problem!! Especially since starting back on Weight Watchers a couple of weeks ago!

What a thoughtful thing for your friends to do ~ a wonderful gesture of friendship.

Jess said...

What a wonderful 16th birthday! Very thoughtful of your friends. Our friends chose this dessert in lieu of a cake at their wedding recently, very good.

(Those bikes are enticing me to go riding.)

Jill said...

Happy Birthday to your son!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Elliot! What a perfect way to celebrate. :-)

Donnetta said...

What a fun, memorable and tasty way to celebrate a 16th birthday.

Happy Birthday Elliot!

Anonymous said...

Sweet 16's are fun, i just had mine =D Happy Late Bday, the food looks GREAT!
~Brandie

~j~ said...

Happy Birthday Elliot! What a great Birthday rememberance! I can't even re-spell what you all got to enjoy cuz i can't get my mind off of all the tofee, maple, goodness .I am trying to think if i could pull off making this deliciousness, really, really soon.
That is a night that will go into the "remember that night" memory bank for sure.
Thanks for sharing all that Sandy!
You, now the Mama of a 16 year old!!
xo j

dawn klinge said...

Happy Birthday Elliot! That sounds like such a wonderful party and sweet friends that you have.

Tammy said...

Oh, happy 16th birthday to your son!
What a wonderful dinner party, too!

I was just scrolling down and catching up...loved that some older friends were so willing to help and participate in your daughter's concerts- that is wonderful, for everyone concerned!

Jen said...

Happy Birthday. Sounds like a perfect evening.

willzmom said...

Happy Birthday to Elliot! What a great milestone in a young life. It sounds like this evening was the 'cherry on top' of a lovely day.

Susie said...

What a handsome young man, and great picture of you both. I had to quickly scroll down after seeing the delicious dessert. I'm trying to do low carb and somehow I think this is the worst temptation I've seen so far. Happy Birthday to your son!