Ruby Tuesday

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Throw your dreams
into space

like a kite

and you do not know
what it will bring back,
a new life,
a new friend,
a new love,
a new country.

-Anaïs Nin

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 La la lala link love time!

Appropriate, because it’s the time of year to share our love and appreciation far and wide.
It’s also the time of year for pink.
This batch of links features pink, flowers, and love songs.

Sounds like Valentine’s day to me already!

(Click on these links, and you do not know what they will bring back, a new life a new friend, a new love, a new country cake.)

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Have you seen “Her”?  The one where Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with Scarlett Johansson’s computer voice?
I haven’t (yet), but their version of “The Moon Song” melts my heart.
I love ukeleles and I do not care how cliché they are.
I also don’t care if “Her” was featured on every female blogger’s most recent “link love” post.
Ahem.

Also listening: February Seven by The Avett Brothers.
They’re such amazing songwriters… This one is no exception.
A real feel-good song.  Give it a listen!
(If you aren’t familiar with their stuff, go listen to all of it.  Ahhh, the feels.)

More music: this song by Gregory Alan Isakov.  Heart-melting.  That is all.

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Annie’s blood orange loaf cake was an instant hit with teh internetz, and holy jeebus I SEE WHY.
Look how beautifully pink it is!!
Pinned pinned pinned.
That last shot especially looks pulled straight from the pages of Donna Hay or Martha Stewart.
Put it on your to-make list, people.  It’s on mine.
(This fits the bill of my recent obsession with loaf cakes.)

Also, blood oranges: did you catch this gorgeous tart?
I love the styling of Kelsey’s entire blog, and this post in particular.
Capturing the marvel of a cook’s hands in action is particularly difficult, and these photos knocked my socks off.
That ring!

More blood oranges: these scones!  Rustic.  Healthy-ish.  Gorgeous.  And I’ll bet deeelicious.

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 I recently bought this coconut water gelée blush, which has coconut water and argan oil for moisture.
My skin (especially here in Chiberia) is super prone to dryness, but maintaining a proper oil/dryness balance is critical and touchy.  Too much either way and my face is unhappy.
This stuff is dreamy and solves all those issues.
Perfectly hydrating, light and dewey color, applies easily (stipple brush) and has serious staying power.
Also, coconut.  For life.

Also luxuriating: I generally only wear Chanel Chance (Eau Fraîche), but I decided I wanted a lighter, airier fragrance to have on the side, so I bought a little bottle of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue.
It’s grapefruity and smells like summer and clean laundry.
Exactly what I was looking for.
I like smelling like a warm breeze of sunshiney goodness during these cold, dark times. (Ugh.)

More luxury: L’Occitane’s floral bomb of a hand cream (Délice des Fleurs, which I can’t find online, sorry), good for daytime light wear to ward off cracked, dry hands in the winter.
That being said, I swear by a thick slathering of Hand Shit (frankly obsessed with the complex honeysuckle sage scent) on my hands and feet before bed to really ensure softness.

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So, these little cutie puddings you’ve been staring at.  Let’s chat about ’em.

grapefruit + cream + thyme + salty pistachios + buttery Ritz crunch

Possets are unbelievably easy: boil some cream and sugar, stir in citrus juice, and allow to set.
Here, their creamy, luscious texture is offset with crunchy, salty things, and the tang from the grapefruit is balanced with earthy thyme.

I decided to add a drop of red food coloring because I really, really, really wanted pink possets.
Feel free to leave it out; your possets will be a lovely cream color.

Don’t skimp on the whipped cream to finish!  Its a nice fluffy counterpart.
To eat, encourage people to do a little stirring to evenly distribute the crunchy bits before tucking in.
Getting a spoonful with a little bit of everything is truly transcendent.

These are simple, no-bake, and easily made ahead (as prep for a Valentine’s day dinner, perhaps!).
Also, pink.  I’m getting in the spirit.

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Grapefruit Possets
makes 4 small bowls or cups
posset portion adapted from Donna Hay

ingredients:
for the possets:
2 cups heavy (double) cream
1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
1/4 cup (from 1/2 a grapefruit) grapefruit juice
drop of red food coloring, if desired

for the Ritz crumble:
1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers, slightly crushed (but not into fine crumbs)
3 tablespoons butter
big pinch salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon milk powder

to assemble:
chopped salted pistachios
thyme leaves
softly whipped cream

directions:
Make the possets: place the cream, sugar, and a drop of red food coloring (optional) into a small saucepot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent a skin from forming.
Boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in grapefruit juice; set aside for 5 minutes.
Ready 4 small (3/4 cup capacity) bowls or ramekins by placing on a baking sheet or in a baking pan that fits in your fridge.
After 5 minutes, pour the posset mixture into the ramekins and set in the fridge to set, at least 8 hours.
Make the ritz crunch: melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet.
Add the sugar, salt, milk powder, and Ritz crackers and stir until all the butter is absorbed and the seasonings are stuck to the crackers, about 5 minutes.
Continue to gently stir and toast, until the crunch becomes fragrant and begins to darken slightly; about 5 more minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool completely; can be stored in an airtight container for up to a day.
To finish the possets, garnish each with a sprig of thyme and a few chopped pistachios; top with ritz crunch and softly whipped (unsweetened) cream.

36 comments

  1. I love everything about this. Beautiful! I saw your post on foodgawker because it was right next to my grapefruit recipe. Then saw that you love gregory alan isakov too and I must tell you that I listen to the gregory alan isakov pandora station about everyday. It’s my favorite! We are totally on the same page. Josh Garrels – Jacaranda Tree <another song in my head a lot lately.

    Micheline

    1. What are the chances! I’m so glad you found me 🙂 Your grapefruitaid looks so delicious and refreshing, and I just so happen to have an extra grapefruit in the fridge…

  2. Rachel, I too found your lovely website through food gawker. I must say that these grapefruit possets are stunning. I love the color. Also, I love the D&G light blue, the smell of it brings back some sweet memories for me, I am glad you like it too!

    1. Thanks so much, Kristan! It’s an appropriately grapefruity fragrance to mention in this post!

  3. These look almost too good to eat. Beautiful. Thanks also for the reminder of D&G Light Blue. I didn’t realize I was even missing it until reading your post. Nice things you have going on here; I’ll be back too browse some more for certain.

    1. Thank you so much Christine! 🙂

  4. I love this post, and the possets are irresistible!

    1. Thanks Sue!! 🙂

  5. Wow. First off, this is absolutely gorgeous, and I love that it’s grapefruit.
    Second, I love that you mentioned The Avetts! They’ve been my all-time favorite band since forever ago, and February 7 is one of their masterpieces. It’s going to be the walk-down-the-aisle song at my wedding.
    Speaking of, these possets would be be such perfect bridal brunch food. Lovely.

    1. Thanks Annie! What a sweet song to walk down the aisle to– I love that! I hope you have a wonderful wedding, and get the chance to try the possets!

  6. […] can’t get over this pink Grapefruit Pudding with Pistachios and Ritz Crunch from La Peche Fraiche. It would make a stunning dessert for guests. Plus, how can you argue with a […]

  7. I just stumbled onto this beautiful dessert recipe on Pinterest…in November! I not only found a luscious concoction to try at home, but I just discovered The Moon Song, and the Avett Brothers!!! Such a treat!!! I am grateful and love, love your site…merci 😉

    1. Ah thank you so much Nadia!! The Moon Song is still one of my favorites, glad you found it too 🙂

  8. oh these are so stunning! and excellent choice on the addition of food colour 😉 I love how the pink pops!

    1. Thank you Kelsey!! Pink is my favorite 🙂

  9. […] week, I didn’t know what a posset was. Today I know. And my life is that much more complete. Grapefruit possets = heaven in a […]

  10. […] Pomegranate Grapefruit Possets: adapted from La Peche Fraiche […]

  11. I do have a question! You have to boil it for two minutes after it starts to bubble or just for two minutes from the moment it’s on the heat? 🙂

    1. 2 minutes after bubbling!

  12. Love this list AND love Avett Brothers, so so much. Plus these pictures are so beautiful!

    1. Thanks so much Adrienne!

  13. […] Grapefruit Possets: Throw your dreams into space like a kite and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, […]

  14. […] searching for an equally unique dessert to pair with your risotto, look no further! These Grapefruit Possets cups with Pistachio Crumble on top sound ah-mazing. The light pink color is so precious {perfect for a single girl’s […]

  15. […] I am obsessed with photos shot from above featuring things that are pink…these beautiful Grapefruit Possets got me trippin. You have to check out this blog, it’s absolutely […]

  16. I discovered you by looking at a Pin for the grapefruit posset. I followed that to you very nice website. Through another link, I also discovered that lovely song by the Avett Brothers. This is why we have the Internet and social media. Thank you for sharing.

  17. […] 1. Mushroom pasta with goats cheese, via 2. Chocolate chip & pistachio meringue cookies, via 3. Black beans taco with kiwi salsa, via 4. Brown rice, green pea & avocado salad, via 5. Avocado on toast with smoked salmon, via 6. Garlic carrots, via 7. Baked eggs, via 8. Mascarpone soft serve, via 9. Grapefruit pudding, via  […]

  18. This sounds amazing and is such a beautiful recipe! I need to make this ASAP!

    1. Thanks Eden! Let me know if you do xoxox

  19. […] Pink grapefruit possets with Ritz crunch and pistachios Dark and white chocolate French mendiants Strawberry pocky cake Salty dark chocolate […]

  20. […] Grapefruit Posset, I was inspired by the recipe on Donna Hay via La Pêche Fraîche! […]

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