40 by 40 #33: Eat a Kouing Aman from Les Madeleines

While this was also over 2 years ago, it was a glorious day worth remembering. I had heard so many tales of the Kouing Aman, a flaky Breton pastry not commonly found in bakeries and patisseries. It was even featured on The Great British Baking Show, which only increased my desire to sample this confection. Lucky for me, Les Madeleines, a bakery in downtown SLC, bakes them on the daily. I popped on over with some friends during a delightful afternoon downtown (back when we could have delightful afternoons with friends downtown...).

Friends. This pastry absolutely lived up to every bit of hype I have heard about it. It was flaky, oh so flaky, with oodles of delicious buttery layers. It was sweet but not too sweet, with a delightful crunch. Oh, it was good. If you find yourself in the neighborhood of 500 S and 200 E, definitely stop by Les Madeleines and get one for yourself. In fact, buy a second one for me. I'll venmo you.

40 by 40 #33: Eat a kouing aman from Les Madeleines: ☑

40 by 40 #31: Eat Creme Brulee

Yet another challenge I completed long ago. (PS, I am always up for "challenges" that involve dessert. That's the kind of work I am willing to do.) The photo of this passion fruit creme brulee was taken shortly before it was eaten on my birthday...in 2018. It was delicious, smooth, and sweet. A great little birthday treat.

40 by 40 #31: Eat creme brulee: ☑

40 by 40 #29: Read a Sherlock Holmes Mystery.

It's been a while since I completed this task. I created a blog post for it in July 2019, but then never wrote anything in it. Whoops! 

 For this challenge I selected the Hound of the Baskervilles. It seemed to me that this was an iconic Sherlock Holmes story, being made into over 20 film and television adaptations (including every 90s child's favorite, Wishbone). I was surprised to discover it is one of only 4 Sherlock Holmes novels, most of the famous detective's adventures being in the short story form. 

It's been a while now since I've read it, but I remember I read it in the month of October, and I felt that was a marvelous choice. It had plenty of suspense and mystery, and moved fairly quickly, despite being written over 100 years ago. It would make a great Halloween read if you are still looking for something to spook you this week.

40 by 40 #29: Read a Sherlock Holmes mystery: ☑

40 by 40 #32: Eat a macaron.

 It feels a little funny now that I made this a goal. I had never eaten a macaron when I made the goal, but I've eaten a whole bunch of them now (and not even in one sitting!).I have had some from Costco, some homemade by friends, and even a giant pistachio flavored one in Amboise, France (pictured below). They are tasty, sure, but I don't know that they are worth all the fuss. It takes a lot of practice and work to make them, which consequently makes them expensive to purchase, and it turns out I'm not all about that life. So I think I will enjoy indulging from time to time, but I'm certainly not going to become a macaron connoisseur.

40 by 40 #32: Eat a macaron: ☑