We had an action packed weekend - a three year old's birthday party (with a puppet show!), a visit to my favorite Multnomah Village candy store (I got a blackberry ice cream cone!), two sushi lunches, three grilling / backyard parties, not too much time online and a lot of cooking.
We live outside the city limits, just past the county line in Portland. Our neighbors across the lake LOVE the fourth of July, and usually start celebrating with (big booming, bright blooming) fireworks a couple days early. This year, we started hearing them Thursday evening. Some years we hear fireworks after the fourth.
I'll just say that Basil is not a fan.
We aren't big firework folk, preferring instead to have people over, jump in the pool and fire up the grill. The pool is not yet open, but the weather is holding in the 80's so any day now... the grilling and cooking happened, though.
My idea of a perfect four day weekend.
Some of my creations were patriotic with a theme of red and blue. In the case of this vegan and gluten free clafoutis, the white would be the custard like dough.
Red white and blue deliciousness.
berry clafoutis
1 ½ cups silken tofu (12 ounce container)
3 tablespoons agave honey
1 cup almond milk
⅓ cup brown rice flour
3 cups berries
Combine tofu, agave, milk and flour in food processor. Blend until smooth. Prepare pan (I used three small spring-form pans) - spray or butter (earth balance) and line the bottom of pan with a single layer of berries. Pour tofu mixture over berries, bake at 350 for 40 - 50 minutes.
This clafoutis is just how I like it - custardy and light, with the flavor of the berry bringing the sweetness. I used fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries, and I like a higher fruit to custard ratio. More fruit means the cooking time is longer, but it does set up, and is well worth the wait.
How did you spend your holiday weekend?
What's your favorite berry?
Fireworks - like them or no?
Allie says
Your busy weekend sounds great--and that clafouti looks EVEN BETTER. Blackberries are my favorite berry, but, really, I'll take any berry that's on sale. Can I have some of that blackberry icecream? 🙂
spabettie says
ha - what's on sale INDEED.
and OH MY... I have it on my list to recreate the ice cream... stay tuned. it was SO amazing.
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I had a fantastic weekend. Unplugged and just had fun with friends and family.
I have to admit, I love fireworks. I guess I'm a big dork, but I do. I haven't seen a fireworks show since before Meghan was born, though. She can't stay up that late...
This recipe looks wonderful! It features my two favorite berries! 🙂
spabettie says
your weekend sounds awesome, Maryea! we unplugged a lot too, which was so nice. I actually like seeing fireworks, as my friend Stephanie said "when they're professionally done" 😀 and I'd rather watch from someone's deck. or a boat on the river.
Pure2raw twins says
YUM! I do enjoy fireworks, although we did not see any yesterday. Stayed in and relaxed with the family while watching a movie.
Evan Thomas says
Wow! A clafoutis recipe without eggs. I'm impressed.
spabettie says
haa haa... I was wondering if I could even call it a clafoutis?
Lisa says
The berry clafoutis is so pretty! I've never had clafoutis, but I'm not quite as intimidated by it now 🙂
I'm not so much into fireworks---they're ok, but I'd probably not fight crowds to go see them. We've been hearing them since Thurs too--kind of over it!
My fave berry was blackberries yesterday---we walked around the farm and found lots of wild ones. Normally, I'm a fan of cherries...I really need more berries in my life 🙂
spabettie says
I know! I remember being intimidated before I first made one... and back then it was even EASIER with eggs! this is still very easy, just add a food processor step.
most everyone could use more berries in their life 😀
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Our holiday weekend was spent at home and at my mother in law's house. It was wonderful and the weather was fantastic!
My favorite berry -- strawberries!
Fireworks -- I like them sometimes but for the most part I find them pretty boring.
I don't think I've ever had clafoutis before but I love how simple this recipe is!
spabettie says
it really is simple - one of those that seems more complicated than it is... and SO tasty!
glad you had a great weekend, Holly! hope it lasts into the week!
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
After a couple of days without an update on your blog, I'm happy to find that my mouthwatering mechanisms are still functioning! 😉
I actually like fireworks because I find them pretty and festive (that already tells that I only like the big flowery fireworks, not the kind that makes just terrible noise and nothing else), but I understand they must put an awful stress on animals! No wonder Basil hates them, poor him! That must be the most horrible weekend of the year for him (besides New Years Eve, maybe, when we at least have fireworks over here, for the only time in a year).
My favorite berries are ... Hm. I really can't tell. I think I like a mix (like your used for your beautiful clafoutis, which makes me drool all over the keyboard again - too bad it isn't even *my* keyboard, because I sit at an lab computer while typing this, oh my ... ;))
My weekend was neither special nor long nor great, I had a lot of mental stress with my apartment situation because I can't deal with stress so well, especially when it comes from housing insecurity.
spabettie says
YES, I only like the big flowery kind too... and what a GREAT description! 😀 I will be trying in the coming days to get back into a normal blog routine... although it HAS been nice to receive the personal notes from you all (including you and Stephanie - I feel so loved!) 😀
oh, Kath... I am so sorry. I (mistakenly?) thought the Frederic situation was NOT incredibly pressing after all, but I suppose even if it is not, it would still cause great stress until remedied. I am sorry if I have been casual about it, thinking it less imminent. 🙁 I hope all goes well, and soon. (( hugs ))
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
Ähhh ... Did I describe anything? I really don't know ... So I just wonder what I may have described in a GREAT way. 😉
Please don't feel bad about your comment on my housing situation! It's really not that bad! 🙂
spabettie says
describing the fireworks as "big flowery" 🙂 in talking about them the last couple days, I've been saying things like BOOM and SPARKLE-Y. 😉
oh, I know it's not that bad, but I think I was thinking you were more relaxed about it. stopping to think, though, I would not be. I empathize, I really do. Give Frederic a hug for me? XXO 😀
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
Frederic is giving you a big 88 keys hug. 😉
spabettie says
aww... XXO
Blog is the New Black says
This looks delicious but I am giggling... because whenever I see the word "clafoutis"... I think it sounds like an STD. Hehehehe.
spabettie says
hee - thanks, Liz. and I can see that - it's a funny word. 😉
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Sounds like a fun filled weekend to me. That dessert looks so good - and festive!
spabettie says
thanks, Heather! and more weekends ahead - today we both took the day off and we are... PREPPING THE POOL !! weeee! 😀
Lisa Fine says
Yum - I love fruit and custard desserts.
We spent part of the weekend at my parents' house to hang out, have a barbecue, and go for a fun drive.
My favorite berries are blueberries [at the moment, anyway - that may change soon].
And I'm not really into fireworks. The noise and the smoke just don't do it for me.
spabettie says
sounds like a great weekend, Lisa! and I'm the same way, pretty much... I like to see fireworks from afar - and as my friend Stephanie says "when professionally done". 😀 the ones here around where we live were sometimes BIG, but we went on a walk outside and the air was smoky and sulfury. and the dog was scared. 🙁
blueberries for the win! have a great week!