As you've come to expect, my Saturday edition of French Fridays with Dorie...Yes, it's "friands" - not a misspelling of "friends". But these little pastries will surely become your best buddies once you taste them.
They are a French pastry, explains Dorie in Around My French Table, closely related to "financiers". Financiers are a nut-based pastry created in Paris for busy financial business people on the run. The friand is a close relative but uses unsweetened coconut, rather than the ground nuts. Don't worry, I didn't know what financiers or friands were either. See what you can learn if you buy Dorie's book?
And my inspiration for the lime addition? Well it came from the coconut - you know the old Harry Nilsson song: You put de lime in de coconut, drink 'em all up. It was Harry Nilsson's second hit single - a catchy calypso tune that even Kermit the Frog found a reason to perform. I figure if it was a good enough combo for a hit song, it might catch on in a baked good too.
And the chocolate - do I have to justify adding chocolate? I didnt think so.
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Friands are so simple to make with just a few ingredients - egg whites, unsweetened coconut (some used sweetened and just cut down on the sugar), sugar, flour, vanilla extract, salt, and butter. I added the zest of one lime to the sugar, rubbing it in using the same technique I described in these Orange Thyme Cocktail Cookies. And lastly, I made a quick chocolate ganache to drizzle on top. And happily, the batter can be made ahead and left in the fridge for up to 3 days - a huge check in the plus column for me.
So what did I think of these lovely little coconut pastries? At first bite, the butter seemed a bit overpowering. I can see why Dorie suggests a variation with a bite of fresh fruit added such as a raspberry. It would counteract the richness. I also cooked them a little longer than the 17 - 20 minutes called for, adding a little extra browning and crispness. Once I topped them with a dollop of bittersweet chocolate and a sprinkling of toasted coconut, unsweetened coconut and a bit of lime zest, their loveliness started shining through. One other note, I should have used the zest of two limes with the sugar - the zest of one wasn't a strong enough essence for the batter.
Ah, but @gregorytlee, a coconut lover, just gave them the thumbs up. They won't last long... Stop by soon if you want a taste!
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As always, I learned much from her recipe and playing along with this wonderful group. To read more renditions of this recipe, check out the French Fridays with Dorie web site and buy Dorie Greenspan’s award-winning cookbook Around My French Table. You will cherish the purchase and learn from each recipe and story that she shares.
raisingivy says
Have mercy! Just arrived and will be dreaming of these beauties tonight! Tuesday is my grocery day, however, so I can do something about it tomorrow.
omgyummy says
Thanks for stopping over! Hope you had a great SITS day yesterday!
Mardi (@eatlivtravwrite) says
Oh yes, lime sounds like a great idea in these. I didn't do anything other than the lain version because I didn't know what they would turn out like but I can see a whole host of possibilities for these with all sorts of fruit. Yum!
omgyummy says
I agree - even something tropical might be so lovely.
Sandy says
I'm so glad you used the chocolate, I wanted to do that but we gobbled these down too quickly ! Very nice addition of the lime too.
omgyummy says
Thanks Sandy! These were gone by Saturday night at our house too 🙂
Carol Sacks says
Beth, these looks so delicate and lovely. Nice post!
omgyummy says
Thanks Carol - what a lovely dessert spread we could prepare with your angel food cake, strawberry rhubarb preserves and these little gems ...
Nana says
Your friands look great with the chocolate and coconut on top. I also like the idea of
adding the lime. I simple recipe, but you made yours look so special.
omgyummy says
Thanks Nana - just loved your post this time with the story of the plate at the end. Lovely!
betsy says
LOL! I loved that Harry Nilsson song. Now I've got it stuck in my head... I didn't actually make the friands because i don't like shredded coconut. Financiers would have been much better for me, but I'll wait until they are the official choice. However, your friands look delciious.
omgyummy says
Thanks Betsy! I'm only a coconut liker, not lover but my son LOVES the white stuff. So these were a hit around here. And I must say, the test kept improving as the hours passed.
lizthechef says
Love the lime! I think I have OD'ed on Meyer lemons for a bit...
omgyummy says
My limes start looking like lemons as they ripen, which I find a little odd. But I still haven't tired of Meyers after 18 years straight of using them 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Liz!
Cher says
Lime always add such a nice presence & they look very charming with the chocolate sitting on top.
omgyummy says
Thanks Cher! Chocolate is always a welcome add in our house 🙂
Teresa says
Lovely idea to rub lime zest into the sugar - lime, coconut, and chocolate sound wonderful together.
omgyummy says
Thanks Teresa - it was fun to experiment a bit. They actually improved in flavor after a few hours, I thought.