Osmanthus Madeleines

In the language of flowers Osmanthus  means love & romance  . That is why I’m inspired by this lovely scented flowers  as Valentine’s day is around the corner  ! LOL By adding  some dried Osmathus flowers in my favorite madeleine recipe .  I love using floral scent for my madeleines such as orange blossom , rose, lavender & jasmine .  As I’ve guessed that the scent of Osmanthus would be subtle, I’ve added more in my madeleines to get that lovely aroma . And I was right about it , when my sons asked me if I’ve baked  apricot madeleines ! LOL  Osmanthus are sweet fragrant flowers  with lovely fruity floral  apricot scent which  usually  used in infused tea . & according to Crazy For Tea. Com,  a cup of Osmanthus tea each day can improve complexion .  Now that’s a good reason  to have osmanthus tea & madeleines everyday ! LOL

Osmanthus Madeleine

Inspired & adapted from Benoît Molin

 Dried Osmanthus flowers that I bought from The Asian store .

Ingredients

3 eggs

100g powdered sugar

150g self raising flour

130g melted butter

1 lemon zest

2 ½  tbsp of dried Osmanthus

Directions :

1)      Beat egg & sugar till creamy. Fold in self raising flour & stir till well combined . 

2)      Add in lemon zest with dried osmanthus & mix well . Gradually stir in melted butter till well combined. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour. 

3)      Preheat oven to 200°C & grease madeleine mould . Spoon in 2/3 of batter on to each mould & bake for  5 mins . Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C & bake for another 5 mins till golden. Let to cool on wire rack. 

Submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by  Sonia aka Nasi LemakLover . 

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 15

Anne listened, but without quite understanding it.  Allowances, large allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke. She heard it all under embellishment.  All that sounded extravagant or irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin but in the language of the relators.  Still, however, she had the sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared, in Mr Elliot's wishing, after an interval of so many years, to be well received by them.  In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain by being on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance. In all probability he was already the richer of the two, and the Kellynch estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. A sensible man, and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object to him?  She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for Elizabeth's sake.  There might really have been a liking formerly, though convenience and accident had drawn him a different way; and now that he could afford to please himself, he might mean to pay his addresses to her.  Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young himself.  How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation of his present keener time of life was another concern and rather a fearful one.  Most earnestly did she wish that he might not be too nice, or too observant if Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a glance or two between them, while Mr Elliot's frequent visits were talked of.