Financiers with caramelised apples, thyme and forest honey
By Simon Loutid (Simon le Financier)
Photography by Lugdivine Unfer
One day I was hiking in the forest to recharge my batteries and meditate, when I got the idea to create an authentic recipe from local, easily affordable, natural products: financiers with caramelised apple, thyme, and forest honey.
My aim was to combine the honey, which has a pronounced aroma and is rich in minerals, with the sharpness of the thyme and the acidic note of the apples. The result is a delicate, crisp and soft little cake to enjoy as an afternoon treat.
Financiers with caramelised apples, thyme and forest honey
Makes 4 servings - 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Caramelised apples
1 apple, chopped into small pieces
10g AOP butter
1 tbsp forest honey
2 sprigs of thyme
Financiers
50g flour
150g butter
80g powdered almonds
130g icing sugar
90g egg white
20g sliced almonds
PREPARATION
Sauté the apple pieces with the butter and thyme for 3 to 5 minutes until soft, then add the forest honey.
Set aside to cool.
Make brown butter by cutting the butter into small pieces then melting it in a pan on medium heat. Let it bubble and sputter for a few minutes, stirring frequently. When the sputtering slows, turn down the heat and let the butter foam and change colour to a toasted brown. When it smells caramelised and nutty, take the pan off the heat and pour the butter into a heat-proof bowl to cool.
Whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, powdered almonds and sugar, then gently stir in the egg whites.
Stir in the cooled brown butter.
Pour the mixture into a financier baking tray, then carefully add in the apple pieces and sprinkle with chopped almonds.
Bake at 170° C for 12 to 15 minutes until a knife comes out clean.
Enjoy!
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ABOUT SIMON LE FINANCIER
Simon le Financier is a new Luxembourg-based brand of 100% natural artisanal cakes and treats that blends creativity with a social impact. Learn more about Simon’s story in Issue 2 of Neighbour Magazine!