Strawberry Bavarois on a Hazelnut Fondant Base

This “Strawberry Bavarois” on a soft hazelnut fondant cake is my own idea. I adapted the classic recipe taken from the French magazine “Cuisine Actuelle”. Let me tell you, I love this one enormously. The combination of flavours is perfect. The lightness and unctuosity of the strawberry mousse blends perfectly with the hazelnut fondant cake which gives it a caramel aftertaste. I remember when I served it everyone said “Ohhhh woww…” What else can I tell you? This dessert is definitely a winner!

Ingredients for 8 servings (use an 18cm aluminium circular mould)

For the Hazelnut Fondant Base:

80 g sugar

2 eggs

80 g hazelnut powder

50 g melted butter

A dash of kirsch

For the Strawberry Bavarois:

300 g strawberries

6 g gelatine in sheets

200 ml of very cold full cream

80 g sugar

1 tablespoon icing sugar

For Hazelnut Fondant Base:

1. In a bowl, combine the eggs with the sugar. Add the hazelnut powder, the kirsch and the melted butter. Put in an aluminium circular mould. Bake for 20 minutes at 180°C.

2. After cooking, allow the fondant to cool in the mould and unmould it when cold.

3. Place the fondant cake in a serving dish and reposition the aluminium circular mould around it, slightly reducing the diameter to avoid leakage of the Bavarois cream.

For the Strawberry Bavarois:
1. Mix the strawberries.

2. Soak the gelatine in cold water.

3. Heat the strawberry puree in a saucepan with the sugar. Add the well-drained gelatine. Mix so that it melts well and leave to cool.

4. Beat the full cream into a firm whipped cream (put the whisk and the bowl in the fridge 1 hour before whisking). Add the icing sugar and whisk again.

5. Using a spatula, gently mix the cooled whipped cream to the strawberry purée.

6. Spread this mixture over the hazelnut fondant cake in the aluminium circular mould.   Refrigerate for at least 5 hours.

7. Gently remove the aluminium circular mould and decorate according to taste. (I decorated mine with fresh sliced strawberries and, on top. I placed a few strawberries sprinkled with icing sugar and added whipped cream).

Happy Summer at Lounge 5 Rooftop

Summer has come and with it, the good weather, blue sky & sunshine. Well, not really... The first weekend of July was rainy and cloudy, but fortunately warm…

Anyway, at this time of the year I like to enjoy picnics, reading in parks, tanning on the banks of the River Arve and chilling out on terraces! Seriously, I am fond of a beautiful spot, good cocktails and a spectacular view when I’m in the city!

This is what we were looking for when we went to the “Lounge 5” rooftop bar at the Hôtel Métropole. Opened four years ago, one can sip champagne and cocktails and order à la carte finger food on the rooftop of this five-star hotel, while admiring some of the most beautiful Genevan sights, such as the Lac Léman, The Jet d’Eau, the Salève and the Jura.

The exterior of the Hôtel Métropole.

The interior of the Hôtel Métropole: Hall, the Gusto Restaurant and The Mirror Bar

As we arrived before the Lounge 5 rooftop opens, we took a seat at the counter of the Mirror Bar and ordered exquisite cocktails.

I choose the Porn Star Martini (vanilla syrup, passion fruit purée, vodka and a shot of sparkling champagne on the side)

Here is how a Porn Star Martini is made…

Passion Fruit/Vodka and shot of sparkling champagne: the perfect harmony.

Sweetheart had the classic and Dark and Stormy (known also as Tormenta Negra: rum, lime juice, ginger beer)

After a really pleasant moment at The Mirror Bar, we took the lift to the 5^th floor where the Lounge 5 rooftop is situated.

We both had a classic gin & tonic while admiring the amazing views of the city, which during the summer is crowded with visitors from all over the world.

From here, we have a spectacular view of the city.

Geneva landmark Jet d’Eau

Jardin Anglais

The colourful little boat we see is called a Mouette Genevoise (a sort of bus boat that navigates on Lake Geneva).

Old building on the Rue du Rhône

The other renowned monument, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in the old town.

So, if you have no plans for the weekend spoil yourself with a cocktail and tapas, DJ music and the views that this spot offers! It’s something incredible. A great moment is guaranteed either at the Mirror Bar or at the Lounge 5 (once a month they organise an event, if you fancy socialising...)

Lounge 5 (Hôtel Métropole)

Quai du Général Guisan 34

1204 Genève

Opening hours: Mon to Sun from 5pm to 1am

Tél: +4122 318 33 55

These are my genuine personal opinions and favourites, otherwise I would not have written about this place. As always with all my posts, this is not sponsored.

Indiana Gothic by Pope Brock (1999)

When Pope Brock discovered the truth behind the dramatic death of his great-grandfather, Ham Dillon, he travelled to Indiana to discover more about his family’s buried history. This is the extraordinary result.

A sweeping, powerful true story that reads like the best fiction, Indiana Gothic is the tale of two married sisters living in the poor, pious American midwest at the turn of the century. Bored, beautiful Allie falls in love with her sister’s charismatic husband and a reckless affair ensues. Encompassing adultery, scandal and a sensational murder trial, this is a haunting love story that echoes across the generations.

Author: Pope Brock was born in Atlanta, Georgia, raised primarily in Baltimore, and graduated from Harvard University in 1971. After training in New York as an actor, he became a freelance journalist, and has written for the American editions of Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stones, Life and several other magazines. Brock lives in New York, with his wife and has twin girls.

My thoughts: Indiana Gothic is an atmospheric and gripping read. This is a fictional novel based on true events that Brock re-created from a few surviving documents and a lot of imagination. It is the story of a family betrayal (adultery) that led to a murder in rural America of the early 20th century.

Allie and Maggie Thompson are two somewhat rival sisters. When they were young, they promised themselves never to marry farmers. They had a happy childhood in a good family. Allie married her teacher, Link Hale, and founded a family. Maggie married Albert Hamlet Dillon (aka Ham Dillon) and started a family. The two sisters lived far apart and, with time, the desire to get closer to each other, to create strong family ties, becomes stronger. So, Allie and her husband Link move to Elnora in Idaho. Ham, the brother-in-law, offers a teaching position to Link. Ham is pleasant and sophisticated. He is handsome, charismatic, educated and ambitious, qualities to which his sister-in-law, Allie, will soon succumb, the more so since she is locked in a joyless marriage to the depressive Link Hale.

These two are undeniably made for each other. They fall in love and have a passionate and long-lasting affair. All is well until the day the two lovers decide to have a baby. The baby is born sooner than expected, if Link was the father. He is different from his brothers and sisters. In addition, he was to be called Albert Hamlet Dillon (a name suggested by Ham during a family dinner). All of these factors gradually aroused the suspicions of Link, the cheated husband... The countdown to the murder, which takes place eighteen months later, has started...

Sion capital of the Valais

In early June during our weekend in Heidi’s Country, we went to the magnificent capital of the Valais, Sion.

Sion is one of the most surprising medieval towns. It is surrounded by mountains, it has hilltop castles and a shopping artery full of temptations. For visitors, a tour on the tourist train is a good idea to discover the city, it takes you to the foot of the two castles which overlook the city.

We had a lovely day and we promised to come back to try a renowned restaurant that serves local specialties and do some shopping.

I let you admire Sion through the photos I took.

To climb up Mont Valère one passes through the old town of Sion which is a succession of picturesque alleys.

The Mont Valère on which the castle stands presents an interesting multitude of flora and fauna. It also offers beautiful panoramic views.

Can be seen from afar the Tour des Chiens (in English the Dog’s Tower - what a weird name).

Views of Tourbillon Castle from the top of Mont Valère. 

Valère Castle this fortified community encloses the homes of the canons of the church. It houses the Valais History Museum, cultivated terraces, a medieval garden, a mill, a barn and a cistern... and breath-taking panoramic views over the city of Sion and the Valais and the surrounding mountains such as “Haut de Cry” (2976 m high).

The Church of Notre Dame at the summit of Mont Valère built during the 12th-13th century and elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Jean Paul II in October 1987. 

Inside the Church of Notre Dame you can admire the oldest organ in the world that can still be played.... The beautiful altar will soon be open to the public...

The Valais History Museum offers a complete panorama of the life of man in the Valais, from his origins to the present day. The tour allows visitors to discover local treasures of cantonal and national importance.

Tourist train a good idea to discover the city, it takes you to the foot of the two castles that overlook the city.

The main street “Rue du Grand-Pont”, the tempting shopping artery

An address not to miss, “Oil & Whiskey” is a store for fans of gourmet, artisanal and exceptional products.

 The beautiful Town Hall...

L' Enclos de Valère the restaurant that we are hoping to try...

Cathedral Notre-Dame du Glarier inside there was a beautiful wedding ceremony.