Frosting all the way – La buche de Noel
The French colonizers brought many things to Vietnam – Catholic churches, potatoes, veston, coffee and rubber tree plantations, to name a few – but perhaps their baking recipes have left the sweetest memories. Some of those recipes were modified, like the baguette with extra leavening became the crisp and light banh mi, or the croissant with extra butter which is crisp at the two horns (to match its Vietnamese name – “water buffalo’s horn”), golden and shiny at the bottom, more substantial inside, subtly salty, and smells delicious from several feet away. Some names have mysteriously disappeared from the world wide web of delicacies and can only be found in Vietnamese conversations, Vietnamese bakeries, and Vietnamese food blogs – the pâte chaud falls into this category. But many stay true to their origin, like the choux à la crème, the gâteau, and the buche de Noel.
There’s the frosting. It can be white chocolate, coffee, hazelnut, even durian flavor, but the traditional dark chocolate ganache is best in my opinion. There’s the middle layer to resemble tree rings, chocolate again is great but pineapple jam if you like it fruity but not too sweet. There’s the layer of spongy génoise, soft, light, plain, a levee to keep the palates from a sugar flood. As for decoration, powder sugar would make a good snow, meringue mushroom to look more botanical, a couple of icing roses, branches, or pine trees to be Christmasy, some fresh raspberries for a little tart.
The Vietnamese keep the tradition of a strictly European réveillon even after the French left, no member of spring rolls, rice noodle, sticky rice, sweet bean paste and the gang are allowed, but goose is extremely welcome and buche de Noel is a must. Then we crossed the sea and here in America although Christmas desserts are overwhelming – fruitcakes, gingerbread, pumpkin pies, mince pies, banana bread, candies and cookies – la buche de Noel doesn’t exist. Why is that? We brought over the turkey, the ham, the Christmas tree, even the actual Yule log to be burnt in the fireplace, why is the edible and delicious Yule log left behind?
Anyway, our little homesick craving has been found in a Vietnamese bakery northwest of Houston. Made by preorder, each log costs $29 at Xuan Huong.
Address: Xuân Hương Bakery
13480 Veterans Memorial Dr. Suite D
(in the same shopping center with Hong Kong Market #3)
Houston, TX 77014
(281) 895-6553
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
1Well I really enjoyed reading it. This post procured by you is very constructive for good planning.
2There are some interesting deadlines in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as nicely
3Some genuinely excellent info , Glad I discovered this. “True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful.” by Paul Sweeney.
4I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.
5Hi there very cool blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I’m satisfied to find so many useful information here in the publish, we need work out extra techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.
6Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
7It’s best to take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this web site!
8It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
9I like this website so much, saved to favorites. “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.” by Norman Cousins.
10The very crux of your writing while sounding agreeable at first, did not sit well with me after some time. Somewhere throughout the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a while. I nevertheless have got a problem with your leaps in assumptions and one would do nicely to fill in those gaps. If you can accomplish that, I will certainly be fascinated.
11I am always thought about this, thankyou for putting up.
12Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
13Absolutely composed written content, thankyou for entropy.
14I discovered your weblog website on google and test a number of of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the excellent operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of ahead to studying more from you afterward!…
15An fascinating discussion is price comment. I think that it’s best to write extra on this subject, it won’t be a taboo subject but typically persons are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
16Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
17Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
18I don’t normally comment but I gotta admit appreciate it for the post on this special one :D.
19It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
20you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
21I simply could not go away your website prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual provide to your guests? Is gonna be back incessantly in order to investigate cross-check new posts.
22I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a fantastic informative web site.
23I believe this site contains some real fantastic info for everyone :D. “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
24Virtually all of whatever you say is supprisingly precise and that makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this in this light previously. This article truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this specific issue goes. Nonetheless at this time there is one issue I am not too comfy with and while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual main idea of the issue, permit me observe just what the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Very well done.
25You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very vast for me. I am looking ahead in your subsequent post, I’ll try to get the hold of it!
26I think you have remarked some very interesting points, thanks for the post.
27I just couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual supply for your guests? Is going to be back continuously to inspect new posts
28Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
29Hello there, simply become aware of your weblog thru Google, and located that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful for those who continue this in future. Numerous other folks will probably be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
30With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any methods to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
31Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
32Just wanna remark on few general things, The website design is perfect, the subject matter is really excellent : D.
33I’m curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
34I saw a lot of website but I conceive this one has something special in it in it
35Very nice style and superb written content, nothing at all else we need :D.
36I am glad to be one of many visitants on this outstanding web site (:, thankyou for posting.
37Can I just say what a reduction to seek out someone who actually knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know tips on how to bring an issue to light and make it important. Extra folks need to learn this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant believe youre no more common because you undoubtedly have the gift.
38This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
39I believe this internet site has some really great information for everyone :D. “Anybody who watches three games of football in a row should be declared brain dead.” by Erma Bombeck.
40I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful price sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the internet might be a lot more useful than ever before. “Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons.” by Walt Whitman.
41I am always thought about this, regards for putting up.
42Very interesting subject, regards for putting up.
43Real fantastic visual appeal on this internet site, I’d rate it 10 10.
44As I website possessor I conceive the articles here is rattling superb, thanks for your efforts.
45I’ve been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours as of late, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty price sufficient for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content material as you did, the net can be a lot more helpful than ever before.
46There are certainly plenty of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to convey up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important factor can be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each boys and girls feel the impact of only a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
47Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
48Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
49I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
50