Proust Madeleines for Valentines~

Plaza Athenee first opened when Proust was 29~ 

Napoleon's La Madeleine in background~completed 30-years
before Proust's birth---in honor of Napoleon's victorious Army.
Site for many Parisian society weddings. I've been. Quite beautiful. 

Élisabeth, Countess Greffulhe

 model for Proust’s Duchesse de Guermantes 

How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton

David Lebovitz

Marcel Proust was born July 10, 1871 with the first name--Valentin. In his honor this Valentine’s week--a special madeleine recipe below. The delicious mini-cakes  are associated with Proust via his epic seven volume 'In Search of Lost Time'--written in bed the last 14-years of his life. A related, 'Time Regained': (here)

Proust wished to convey the richest asset we have is time. He died at 51, following long years of delicate health and with regrets for what he regarded as wasted decades. 

Scientists estimate the odds of any individual being born at about one in 400 trillion. For perspective--that's double total global wealth of $200 trillion USD. Anyone fortunate enough to have life has already won the greatest lottery.

It's a intimately personal estimation if hourly value extracted is equal to the rarity of this gift--but one that Proust thought is wisely reassessed, often. Understanding that even the homey act of baking cookies for someone you love with a sense of occasion and beautiful presentation--can equate to an enriching memory that lasts beyond a lifetime.

Orange-Blossom-Honey-Madeleines~
16 servings~from Bon Appetit 

These little citrus-y cakes cook in just 10 minutes. Use one 16-cookie madeleine pan with 3x2" molds

Ingredients~

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, cooled, plus more for molds

Preparation~

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow and thick, about 4 minutes. Beat in honey, vanilla, and orange zest. Gently fold in dry ingredients. Add 5 tablespoons melted butter; gently fold into batter. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of batter; chill for at least 3 hours. Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Position a rack in center of oven; preheat to 400°F. Lightly brush madeleine molds with butter. Place pan on a baking sheet. Drop 1 scant tablespoon batter into each mold. Bake until golden and a tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 10 minutes.

Remove pan from oven, invert, and quickly knock madeleines out of pan. 

Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli - Time to Say Goodbye (HERE)