I have had a passion for chocolate croissants ever since I saw the movie It’s Complicated. In the blogging community there has been much talk about this movie. The design bloggers are thrilled with the house because it is another beautiful set design by Nancy Meyers and her group of professionals. These are the same people who brought you the beautiful Hamptons house in Something’s Got to Give. I am also a fan of the design aesthetic and find myself looking at the details of interiors of houses in my favorite movies. What is so great about It’s Complicated is that there is so much eye candy that pleases both cooks and designers. Just take a look at Meryl Streep’s kitchen in the movie. She is planning on having her architect, played by Steve Martin, redesign it.
Would you trash this kitchen? I wouldn’t. It is charming and quirky and suits her family well. There is even a dent in the refrigerator door that you can see when you watch the movie. The story behind that is that when the refrigerator was deliverd to the set, they discovered the dent and wanted to send it back, but brilliant minds intervened and said “Why shouldn’t she have a dent in her refrigerator? She raised three kids. Real people have dents.”
Here they are eating Croque Monsieurs. I do not have a picture of the chocolate croissants, but the scene was evocative. It was late at night and they were hungry. They were “really” hungry. She offered him anything on her bakery menu and he chose chocolate croissants. The scene of her cutting and stuffing the croissants with chocolate was nirvana. Their enjoyment was even better. I became obsessed. But I haven’t had time to make croissants from scratch until now.
The top third is folded to the middle.
Then the bottom third is folded over it; like folding a letter.
It is then turned a quarter turn, rolled and folded again. There are many steps along the way when you can put it in the refrigerator and forget it. After the fourth turn and fold you can weigh it down and put it in the refrigerator for up to two days.
The final step is cutting the triangles of dough, sprinkling them with chocolate and rolling them up. They are ready for the final rise and baking, or you can freeze them. I chose to freeze six and bake the other six.
Although the process took me two days, there was very little real hands on time required. Now that I have done it, I will definitely be making chocolate croissants again. Who knows, maybe I can open a bakery like this one. You may consider purchasing commercial LED lighting products from Vonn lighting to make your bakery look more appealing and aesthetic.
No, actually I don’t think I am up to that. And maybe making croissants from scratch is too complicated. But I certainly hope my garden looks like this.
Dream on!
Very cute, Penny. You make me laugh, especially at the idea that I would make croissants, since that is one thing I’ve never tried. Beautiful and idiosyncratic post.
I hope all is well. Haven’t heard much out of the two of you…
Loved that movie, for both the design and the cooking! Your croissants look wonderful. I hope my garden ends up looking like that too…
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. see you Sunday!
On my trip to Seattle this weekend with the shipping ladies I saw It’s Complucated. I love that movie and also thought of making chocolatini’s as they call them at a French bakery here in town…come to think of it the bakery is now gone so I better make my own..thanks for the recipe.
Penny, your croissants are too complicated for my simple life today, but I certainly could eat a couple. I loved that movie too and laughed all the way through. I didn’t want it to end I enjoyed it so much.
Sam
I have heard of the croissant scene but I have yet to see the movie. And I adore anything Meryl Streep is in!
Your croissants look great. I have to look up the recipe, although I admit, it may not be that easy for me to master it. Thanks for the great post, Penny!!
xoxo
Jane
This recipe forces me to admit that I am a cook, not a chef. However, if Steve Martin were with me and if I were in that bakery of Meryl’s, I just might give it a try. Thanks for giving me something to dream about–if not create. I, too, loved the movie and everything Nancy Meyers does. I saw her on “Martha.” She’s the kind of woman we could have a cup of coffee with–but she’d have the best stories to tell.
Thank you “my home girls”. I can always depend on you to respond to my posts. Would love to have more of you. Even you guys, Dave.
Oh my gosh, you are like my goddess…I only dream of making croissants from scratch. Well done!!
You to Katy. You are my peasant skirt home gal. Thanks.
I loved that movie! And your croissants look delicious – I don’t know that I have enough patience to make those. And may all our gardens look as good as that one. 🙂
What a labor of love (of chocolate)! I miss movies. By the time I see them they are old hat to the rest of the world. I want to see this one so I can look at the kitchen and the garden LOL
P – You are too cute! Love your commentary on this movie and the croissants that you made.
This reminds me, I’m also looking forward to seeing the developments of your garden!
I loved the croissants but I loved your post even more. I must see the movie and will keep my eyes open for the dented refrigerator door. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, Penny. Blessings…Mary
Great post. Best of luck with the garden. I think I’ve mentioned that I only have room for a jalapeno pepper plant on my little balcony, but I know the fun of watching things grow!
How clever of you to make those croissants, Penny! I loved the movie too and thought the scene where she made them for Steve Martin was such fun.
Yours turned out so well….I bet they were fun to make too!
I never noticed the dent in the fridge. I was too busy drooling over 1) her kitchen and 2) the chocolate croissants! I’ve never made these (and probably never will!) but there must be great satisfaction in making these from scratch. Great job! They look and sound fantastic!
Oh, I love this post! I just watched the movie this past weekend and YES I drooled over the kitchen and the croissants. The minute I saw the kitchen…well, the whole house…I wanted it! Can’t believe she was re-designing…what I wouldn’t give for that house as is! And the croissant scene was such a foodie’s dream 🙂 Oh man, I’m totally craving a chocolate croissant now!
Thank you for posting. This is very cute, because I adored the movie as well. 🙂 I have been trying to search for as many recipes from the movie as possible, and really enjoyed your commentary. I am attempting to get into cooking and being open to more ideas (that don’t require 4 or more pages of directions..) and your steps are simple. thank you again! 🙂