This week’s French Fridays with Dorie selection is the Pumpkin Gorgonzola Flan. At least, that’s what I’m posting this week. We were given the option this month of posting in any order, so some of the other members may have the Flan up, others will have something different. Exciting, no?
Anyway, I have to say I was really looking forward to making this one. I love pumpkin, I love flans and things like them, I love gorgonzola, I love walnuts. What’s not to like? I didn’t think the kids would like it, but that’s okay – the recipe makes six individual portions, and I just figured Bill and I would work our way through them over a few days.
The recipe itself is extremely simple. You just toast the walnuts until they’re fragrant but not burnt…then mix up your flan ingredients,
pour them into your ramekins or other flan molds,
place them in a water bath, top with bits of gorgonzola and a sprinkling of the walnuts, and then bake until just set.
Piece. O. Cake.
I baked all four of the November recipes in one day, just so I could have the images ready to go and then roll the posts out in whatever order I felt like. So for dinner that night we had the pumpkin flan, the potato gratin, and the chicken, with the semolina apple cake for dessert. I gave each of my kids just a scoop of the flan, because I didn’t want to waste a whole serving on them if they weren’t going to like it.
Bill and I each had our own.
And?
Neither of us really liked it. :(
We tried. I ate all of mine, Bill ate most of his, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t taste the way we’d imagined it. I don’t even know how to explain it any better…it was smooth and lush and rich…but…just…not…yummy. For us. I’m sure other people loved it.
And I so WANTED to love it! I put the rest of the servings in the fridge, and I tried it again the next day. Just in case my taste buds had been…oh, on strike or something the night before.
But…no.
Sigh.
And I’m still sort of annoyed about it. Not about the flan, but about the fact that I didn’t like it. I still want to like it.
So I’m thinking that at some point I will make it again. Maybe I’ll leave off the walnuts. Maybe I don’t want any crunch with my flan. Maybe that was it. I am feeling a great stubborn determination to like this flan. You know how, when you’re introducing new foods to kids, sometimes you have to serve it to them ten to twenty times before they like it? That’s the tack I’m taking on this.
I will grow to like this flan. Don’t try to stop me!
To see what everyone else made for today’s post, take a look through all the French Fridays with Dorie links here.
That is disappointing when you've been looking forward to a recipe and it's not what you had hoped for. I am eager to make this, and even have all the ingredients, but I'm not sure about it. I think I'll do it with roasted chunks of squash instead of puree. We'll see.
Good on you for doing all your FFwD recipes in one day! Now what are you going to make the rest of the month?
:)
Posted by: Mary | November 12, 2010 at 07:58 AM
I'm not gonna make this one because I'm so afraid that I won't like it.
It doesn't sound very appetizing to me in the least.
They look great though.
I posted the potato gratin this week.
Posted by: chocolatechic | November 12, 2010 at 08:51 AM
I read the title and had such high hopes! I'm sorry it didn't work out like you had hoped ... it just seems so good!
Posted by: Rich | November 12, 2010 at 09:49 AM
Bummer that you didn't like this. It is not one I even think I will like though. It looks great if that is any consolation. :)
Posted by: Karen | November 12, 2010 at 10:07 AM
I'm doing the flan this weekend, and I was interested to hear your comments about the walnuts. I, too, thought the chunks of walnuts would be too much of a texture contrast. I think I'll toast them and chop them up pretty well. Great pictures!
Posted by: SoupAddict Karen | November 12, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I hope you like it next time! Wow it sure looks super yummy! I am going to try this one soon, I hope I like it! I made the PG this week..come learn about some Idaho Taters!!
Posted by: Flourchild | November 12, 2010 at 10:42 AM
I'm a little worried now! I'm not a fan of Bleu Cheese to begin with, but I bought the gorgonzola to give these a try. I hope it's not a fail!! Your flans looks perfect, though - exactly like the ones in the book! :)
Posted by: Jessica of My Baking Heart | November 12, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Oh no! That is a bummer that you didn't like this. I am not a big fan of pumpkin and hate bleu cheese so I know I'm skipping this one.
Your photos are perfect though! I love your use of colored bowls.
Posted by: Jenn | November 12, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Well, even if it doesn't taste good, it sure is pretty.
Posted by: sarahk | November 12, 2010 at 02:13 PM
I agree with sarahk. Besides, it seems to me that the idea of a pumpkin flan is one that lends itself to endless variations. You're a wonderful and inventive cook, so I'm sure you'll hit upon something yummy.
Posted by: roo | November 12, 2010 at 02:57 PM
It's not flan without the caramel goo.... that's what's wrong. I agree with sarahk, it is pretty.
Posted by: judith | November 12, 2010 at 07:43 PM
We had a very similar experience. I liked it ok...but wanted to like it so much more! It just seems like it should have been a winner. I can't put my finger on why it wasn't. I guess it's good to know I'm in good company. Loved your photos and your red and blue ramekins.
Posted by: Stephirey | November 12, 2010 at 09:57 PM
I completely agree with you. I made a half recipe last week. I definitely didn't love the first one, but it grew on me as leftovers. I made a second half batch just to see, and this time, I'm definitely not sold. I like everything in it, but the combo doesn't make my fireworks in my mouth, which is what I had hoped for.
Posted by: Betsy | November 12, 2010 at 11:00 PM
i'm with you, i WANTED to like this flan but just didn't. i am also determined to like it, so i am also thinking of firing the walnuts and adding more gorgonzola, and seasoning better; i think i was too light with the salt. (i'll post about my flans next week.) we'll get there, i know we will!
Posted by: evilcakelady | November 13, 2010 at 02:47 PM
Wow. All four in one day! I did everything but the flans in one day and I was tired...
I still haven't made the flans and am wondering what my verdict will be - opinion is so divided!
Love your ramekins - so pretty.
Posted by: Teresa | November 15, 2010 at 04:01 AM
I am exhausted thinking about you making all four recipes in one day! You go girl.
Posted by: Mary | November 15, 2010 at 07:15 PM
I had the same experience with the flan. I really wanted to like it because it sounded really fascinating but I just didn't like it. Even though you didn't like it, at least your flans are beautiful! :)
Posted by: Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels | November 16, 2010 at 11:55 PM
This was a great post! Pictures are really nice too. I'm not looking forward to this recipe at all, but I'm it's my plan to do it next week. I can't believe you made all recipes in one day!!!
Posted by: M | November 17, 2010 at 10:12 PM