wikipedia notes that “little is known about the origin of the éclair, a pastry traditionally filled with a coffee- or chocolate-flavored custard…but the Oxford English Dictionary traces the term ‘eclair’ in the English language to 1861.”
on wikipedia, little is known about this eclaire’s origin either, but i was born on a foggy july afternoon 120 years later to loving parents in a northern california beach town. they named me after my great-great grandmother (emilie) and great-grandmother (clara) – hence the nickname “eclaire.” my life tends to be just as full as the traditional pastry, and is often stuffed with coffee and chocolate…so what’s in a name? would i, with any other non-pastry name, love food as much as i do? possibly not!
my love affair with food began early in my life, and increased as my parents involved me in all the food they concocted as soon as i could reach the counter with a step stool. they creatively and courageously accommodated my allergies to wheat, corn, and dairy when i was a young child, way back before food allergies were a fairly common phenomenon. my parents learned how to create bread and pizza crusts from oat flour and use soy or goat milk instead of cow milk. later in my youth, when the allergies were gone but i decided i didn’t like meat, they taught me about balancing proteins, how to make amazing vegetarian fare, and often divided sauces into two pans to incorporate my tofu and their (and my sister’s) turkey or chicken or fish. they taught my sister and me to enjoy the process of cooking seasonal meals with fresh organic produce, as well as the importance of sitting down to dinner at the table with family and without tv. my mom, dad, and sister inspire my cooking to this day, and i love to cook both with and for them!
i currently live in the same town where i was born, have a great job at a local non-profit, am married to the amazing Mike Brogan (check out the links on both his first and last names – he runs two blogs!), love to try out new vegetarian and vegan recipes as often as possible, and avidly swim and run to make room for more food. in june of ‘08, i decided to start writing about and taking pictures of the food i create in my kitchen for friends, family, and fellow food lovers in order to share my passion for healthy, easy, and delicious vegetarian and vegan meals. i hope you enjoy the recipes!
~emilie claire powell
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