Any weekend my husband and I are free, I always suggest we head over to Montreal because it’s only a two and a half hour drive from us. This is funny because I went to McGill University for my Master’s and while I was studying there I wasn’t much of a fan of the city. I guess you can say it was another point in my life-life as a student with deadlines and endlessly writing papers and stressing out about my thesis. My friends and I would stick together in a corner of the Institute of Islamic Studies library typing frantically away about political and religious movements in British India.
We rarely ate out at “nice” places. We stuck to student joints and areas in and around our student ghetto. I wish we had done some further exploring. Montreal is a gem of a city and the food is no less than spectacular. I’m glad we were smart enough to try many of Montreal’s ethnic selections-Pakistani, Lebanese, Syrian, Turkish, Greek, Persian, Thai.
Some of the best Pakistani food is found in Montreal’s Parc Extension. The places are not exactly what we can call glamorous, but the food is superb. Whenever my parents would visit, my dad was eager to only eat Pakistani food–Lahori charga (steamed then fried chicken with spices), spicy fried fish, sarson ka saag (mustard greens/broccoli rabe), nihari (spicy slow-cooked beef stew), haleem (beef and lentil stew)…My mom and I would roll our eyes, as delicious as the Pakistani food was, we wanted “bistro” food. Usually, we would just appease my dad because we are more easygoing when it comes to food. *hehe*
Now, when my husband and I make our weekend trips, we don’t know where to start. It’s pure overload. L’express or Lemeac…Alep or Daou, Le Local or Toque´, Au Cinquième Péché…Croissants, Poutine, Duck Confit, Montreal Smoked Meat, St. Viateur Bagels, Marche´ Jean Talon, Atwater market, chocolate, baguettes, and brioche. See, it’s overload. I could go on and on about Montreal’s food scene. I don’t think I need to mention that Montreal is my favorite place in Canada.
Despite everything we’ve tried, we never made it to Au Pied de Cochon. After all, it is a Montreal landmark. Anthony Bourdain loves it and even featured it on “No Reservations.” I saw the episode where he took part in the APdC gluttony–tray after tray of foie gras and pork this and that. We don’t eat pork, so that is why we never tried it out. The menu is very pork heavy. However, there are options for people who don’t eat pork. We figured we had to try it once.
We indulged in foie gras and black truffle terrine, magret of duck, and instead of pork gluttony, we engaged in duck gluttony. Everything was good, but what was absolutely divine was the pouding chômeur. After a $50 slice of foie gras and black truffle terrine, we were wowed by the unassuming maple syrup, flour, and butter dessert. You know something is good when my husband even utters that he might enjoy it as much as my vanilla bean cheesecake. That is his dessert and to him nothing ever compares to it. He absolutely loved the pouding chômeur, as did I.
If you are not a fan of maple syrup, don’t fret. The maple syrup transforms into a nutty and delicious caramel, which soaks the cake. It’s spongey, warm, and gooey, the perfect winter dessert. I never thought I would be saying this, but I am not heralding the coming of spring quite as much as I was before because I want to savour this dessert in the cold weather. I wish I discovered it before. Now, there are all the more reasons for us to visit Montreal.
Pouding Chômeur
makes 4-4 1/2″ ramekins (each ramekin will serve two, if you don’t mind sharing) or an 8″ by 8″ glass dish
recipe very slightly adapted from Gourmet Magazine
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, I use this one
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
pinch of kosher salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup cane sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
crème fraîche, for serving
confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Method
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and make sure the rack is at the placed at the upper third of the oven.
In a small saucepan on medium heat, bring the maple syrup, heavy cream, and the pinch of salt to the boil, stirring the mixture until it boils. Once it begins to boil turn the heat off and set it aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until creamy. Gently beat in the egg and add in the vanilla extract.
In another bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold the flour into the egg/butter mixture until just combined. The dough will be of the consistency of crumbly biscuit dough.
If you are using ramekins, pour in about 1 inch of the maple syrup mixture into each ramekin and then press in 1/4 of the dough and top with the remaining maple syrup mixture. If you are using 1 baking dish then pour 1/3 of the maple syrup mixture into the bottom of the dish and divide the dough into 6 balls and place them into the dish and top with the rest of the maple syrup mixture.
It will be all soupy and won’t look right. Don’t worry, it will come together in the oven. Place in the oven and bake the ramekins for 20-22 minutes, or until just set. If you are using the 8″ by 8″ dish bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar and a dollop of crème fraîche.
Other blogs/sites featuring Pouding Chômeur:
This looks absolutely delish! and I am loving that beautiful blue pottery you have their.
Life of a student is pretty drab and low budget to some extent 🙂 but fun in so many other ways. Enjoy the city, enjoy the food and share the beautiful dishes with us.
Thanks so much, Soma. Student life is definitely fun and I miss those old days!
This pouding/cake sounds wonderful! I just met someone recently from Vermont who was telling me about maple trees and how when the syrup is first out, the taste is unbelievable and someone who grows these trees actually made a steak in maple syrup; anyway, my son who spent a short while in Montreal, claimed that out of all the cities he has visited (and he’s been to a bunch) Montreal was his favorite, hands down.
Thank you! Maple syrup is a big thing up here and there are sugar shacks. I hope to go to them and try the “fresh” syrup.
I love Montreal, even though I haven’t been in years. It is such a beautiful place! My parents met at McGill, how funny that you went there too!
I love maple syrup. I mean I LOVE it. I could eat it by the spoonful which is slightly disgusting to you, I’m sure. 🙂 This looks divine…a little peace of French-Canada. Thank you for sharing!!
I remember you telling me your parents met at McGill. Montreal is a romantic city. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet words!
The student food in Montreal is almost as good as the “real” food. I have built many a meal around street poutine. Now if only they had this dessert at street stalls, I’d be happy and content 🙂
They have lil crepe huts…crepes with oozing nutella…mmmmm! 🙂
I keep on hearing campus stories from my husband.He studied in Ohio State.I think life here as a student is very different than that in India…student enjoy more freedom but requires lot of financial and social independence too.
Okay now for the post..I love your blue pottery..but P never lets me buy it coz dislikes it ..see husbands poke their noses evrywhere 🙂
And I am going to steal your idea of eggs picture ..telling you before hand.These cakes look amazing, soft and buttery..I m sure they would have tasted heavenly when warm.
Note: I dun knw why I always have so much to speak on friend’s blog!
Student life is definitely fun! Thank you for your sweet and long comment, I always enjoy what you have to say! Steal away, sweetie…I’m glad you liked the pic!
What a delightful dessert and your weekend trips sound so lovely. I have always wanted to visit Montreal and have cousins there, somewhere 🙂
Thanks! You must visit Montreal. I know you’ll love it. 🙂
absolutely délicieux mademoiselle! Montreal is a classy town, my favorite other than Vancouver! Blue creamer & sugar pot are gorgeous…where did ya get ’em?! 🙂
Thank youuu! I haven’t been to Vancouver yet, but I’ve heard only good things. I got the creamer and sugar pot at Ten Thousand Villages. I never go there and my parents came to visit and we were exploring my city and we went in and my mom and I thought it was cute. 🙂
This sounds heavenly. And the way you have described it – I’m willing to spend that extra buck and the buy a huge bottle of maple syrup. I usually end up buying those smallish ones – LOL
Student’s life is so much fun and even though food used to be crappy in those times – life was awesome! Last thing, I have those blue ware and I was almost getting over my love for them and then I saw them here and I’m in love again.
Montreal sounds like a wonderful city.
And the cake sounds absolutely wonderful.
Only a two and a half hour drive. I don’t think I’ve ever uttered those words in my life! But then again, I hate car trips and anything over a 30 minute drive is far for me 😀
You know I was the same way when I was in school, I never really got to appreciate the good food because we ate at all the cheap places, you know fine dining just doesn’t figure into a student’s budget! Enjoy it now and splurge on that 50 dollar slice of foie gras, it’s what makes life fun!
mmmmmmmm I really want to try this. Usually I am not a huge fan of maple flavored things, but I think this would be so yummy. We will go to montreal again this summer 😀
Looks so yummy:)
this looks so good Nadia! and your photos are just stunning! thanks for sharing this post:) have a great weekend.
Yummy pudding, beautiful pictures, would love to dig in.
I love Montreal, but haven;t been there in years – i am writing down all of these restaurants for the next time I go! And your pudding looks awesome. I adore maple syrup so this sounds wonderful to me.
Lovely clicks..looks so yummy!!
Wow this is a wonderful cake, I will make this a replacement to the usual pancake breakfast. Yummy!
I love weekends like that–it’s one of my favorite things to do, too. Exploring and getting to know a city, especially with food in mind, is so fun. Wow, this cake must be sheer bliss to eat if your hubby would compare it to his favorite. You photographed it well! 🙂
This sounds delicious! I love maple syrup and if it turns into caramel that’s even better! A great way to make use of my ramekins 🙂
MM I’ve never had this before I love the addition of maple syrup. Perhaps I need to try this as a “trip” to Canada??? 🙂
nice! yummy
I love maple syrup and this sponge cake not only looks adorable when served in little ramekins, but the texture looks wonderful too. Great job!!
Sorry I’ve been away from your blog for so long. I hope you’re doing well :o)
Thank you for your kind comments-this dessert is sooo easy, hope some of you try it out! 🙂
Love,
Nadia
kamaal hain tasweerain, N. kamaal. and a lovely post. delicious dessert, i love maple syrup so much. x shayma