Oh My Ganache!

Ganache is like gravy's more sophisticated cousin who studied abroad in France and was never the same again! Are they world's apart in flavor? Well yes, but both have a cream base and can be altered any way you desire! Both are actually super easy once you get the hang of it. I was scared to make either of these for too long. Gravy was something I couldn't get right until two years ago. It was Christmas morning when it finally all came together in the perfect gravy form. I called it my Christmas miracle! Ganache followed soon after. I really had no reason to fear either of these foods, they are not complicated. I guess I was scared of getting it wrong. It sounds crazy to admit but I sometimes get the greatest anxiety over presenting food I've made to other people. Crafts, art, music...not things I make. But food I love to create! It's like a labor of love, and I hope it will be well received. That fear, of my food...therefore myself...not being loved kept me from trying me and wonderful things!

Confidently I can say that I finally conquered my fears of gravy and ganache making. Sometimes people love the dishes I make, sometimes they don't. Learning to be content no matter what the public response; it's a process. If I enjoyed making it, and I enjoy eating it , that should be enough! But like so many things in life, I worry about what others might think. This ganache tart was made with love and joy so if I serve it to you and you don't like it you must think I am not good enough. Crazy, right? I hope to not be the only one who has such egocentric thoughts. Please tell me you have cried a little inside if no one touched your dish at a party! But everyone has their own palate. I stay away from dishes with onions and sour cream. It has nothing to do with the person who made them. My palate simply abhors those particular flavors! Fortunately, learning to be comfortable in who I am and what I like is getting easier with time. The mid-30's are a much more self accepting time for me than the 20's. I can say without fear of judgment now: onions are evil to me. Phew! What a load off! But if you make a dish with these ingredients and I politely pass on it I am sorry, I love you and I hope everyone who loves onions and sour cream enjoys it!

If you have always wanted to try making tiramisu (my future dish to tackle), or baked Alaska or fudge...do it! By no means am I an accomplished chef or baker, but it is a hobby I enjoy and is an outlet for my love to others. Just go for it, and I promise to do the same. Hopefully my peppermint chocolate tart will be loved and raved about for years to come...just kidding...sort of. But even if I am the only one who enjoys it, it as still worth it because it brought me joy. It's okay to enjoy things. Even if you are the odd one out and usually the only one who enjoys your own dish... or knows about the movie Xanadu, named your cat after the title and your daughter after the star actress. Own it, love it and keep trying new things. Have no fear, just whisk it all!

*I created this peppermint tart myself, if there is interest I may post this original recipe.