Paris Pastries IRL

Inspired by the card game Paris Pastries (see my review here), we started making some delightful French treats at home. First up was the easiest one from the game, shortbread.  

Shortbread Dough

Our results with the game card for comparison

Macarons are slightly harder to make than shortbread, both in the game and in real life. We tried a basic recipe (no chocolate like on the card) and it came out really well, so macarons have entered a regular rotation in our household.

First attempt

We also tried palmiers, an item that is difficult to make in the game and not so hard in real life. Ours were a bit simpler than the card photo though they were just as delightful. In fact, I am sure they were more delightful than eating the card! The pastry is supposed to be shaped like a palm leaf, hence the name. 

A passionate chef

Delightful results

10 points!

Crepes Suzette was our next effort. My daughter has a real passion for crepes, so that part of the recipe was easy. Making the orange sauce (with alcohol!) was a little trickier, especially with a recipe that calls for lighting the dish on fire. We think that is just for restaurant showmanship. Does it really change the flavor (other than burning off the alcohol)?

Crepes Suzette

In game version

Soufflés are almost stereotypically French. My daughter has become a master of making these.

A good variety of sizes and flavorings

Clearly a dessert souffle

Making galette des rois took some skill. It's the northern France version of King Cake. The southern is gateau des rois, a similar but different dish.

A kingly treat

The before photo

We were too intimidated to make Canele and went to a bakery in Baltimore that listed them on their website. The store did not disappoint!

Bakery delights!

Trying not to get a picture taken

Trying to look cool

The game version

Croquembouche was doable at home, though coming up with the proper display caused a bit of a challenge. Typically the treats are piled into a cone shape held together with caramel threads. This dish is often served at weddings, baptisms, and first communions.

Piling them up without making a pile

Profiteroles were also easier at home. We've mastered a recipe for choux pastry, a common component in many a French delicacy (including many of the above works). In English "profiteroles" are known as "cream puffs" and are quite delightful.

We did not make the spoon, though it is handy to hold the card up

Mille-feuille looks more elaborate on the card than the one we made in real life. We were okay with that, since the card doesn't show any nuts or fruit like the drawing does. Most American bakeries call this a "Napoleon."

Mille-feuille, taller than a French general!

What a fun culinary adventure!

Codorus State Park, Pennsylvania

We camped at Codorus State Park just outside Hanover, Pennsylvania, planning to visit the Gettysburg Battlefield. The park had plenty of amenities that we enjoyed.

We rented an individual camp site for two nights. It included a fire pit with grill, a picnic table, and electricity. We only used the electricity for my cpap machine, an electric griddle, and phone charging. The spot was big enough for our two tents with plenty of area for other activities.

Our camp site

Happily, the bathrooms were very close by and were actual bathrooms, not latrines or other minimalist offerings sometimes available. A large field was not too far away either. We played a lot of catch there.

Tossing a football

Receiving a football

The field had a playground, a large fire pit with benches, and a small outdoor theater.

Amenities

The first night, we had a small campfire and made smores before going to bed. 

Starting a fire

Enjoying the night

The next morning, I woke up first and did some reading out by the picnic table while others snoozed.

Sacked out

They slept long enough that I went for a walk and found a few geocaches hidden in the park. They are approved by the park and have very nice housing. No ground tupperware here!

Rabbits on the way to the geocache

Yes, it's meant to resemble an outhouse

The park also has a veterans' memorial area, though no one is buried there.

Pavilion at the Veterans' Memorial

Another geocache featured Kermit the Frog inside. I needed his hopping ability to make it there and back.

Inside another geocache

Obstacle on the path

The park has pavilions for rent. 

Rental pavilion 

Cooking facility inside

By the time I got back to our site, breakfast was underway. We had a guest try to join us but we politely refused.

Pancakes!

Someone trying to crash the party

Checking the fire pit for crumbs

Making cakes

We went to the Gettysburg Battlefield after breakfast, eventually returning for some nap time before our next adventure. I was not tired enough so I found another cache.

A sticky situation

We rented a canoe and a two-person kayak since that was all that was available. Too early in the season, I guess.

First kayakers

First canoers

The campground is on Lake Marburg. The area is very pretty. It is also open enough that wind has a minor effect on our progress. We rowed under a bridge and to some beaches.

Enjoying the lake

Exploring a side water

Trees were all to see

We stopped at one shore and switched around the boats' personnel. 

It's tough paddling uphill!

A moment of good synchronization

Yet another switch

Canoers behind me

At one point, we saw a tree hanging over the water and decided to go through the natural archway.

Aiming for a small hole

We went back to our campground to make a roasted-potato dinner. We had plenty of fixings--cheese, scallions, butter, bacon bits, etc. We were forced to have plenty of patience as the cooking time was not very precise.

Getting the fire started

A good blaze

Roasting potatoes in foil

A great finished product

The next morning we had simple breakfast of oatmeal, apples, tea, and juice. Packing up the campground went quickly and we were soon home. The overall experience was a bit rough on the parents but the kids had a great time.