Savory Carrot Curry Canelés are wonderful flavor packed curry bites, beautifully baked in a quintessential French fluted shape.
It’s Food ‘n Flix time and this month it is also a very special cross-over with Cook the Books! In both groups this month two host picks the same movie/book that pertains to food. I prepared for the book/movie “The Hundred Foot Journey” a fusion Indian/French recipe: Carrot Curry Canelés
To participate we had to either read the book or watch the movie, or do both. Then participants made a recipe inspired by the film. It could be any recipe you wanted. Both groups are a lot of fun so consider joining!
The Hundred Foot Journey started as a book in 2010 and was adapted to a feature film in 2014. What is the Hundred Foot Journey? It is the distance between a new Indian restaurant and a traditional French one in a small town in France, basically across the street. But the divide is much greater: one of culture, cuisine and tolerance. The story focuses on the rivalry between two restaurants and the owners. The main characters are Hassan Haji, the future culinary genius who is born and raised in his family’s Indian restaurant in Mumbai, and Madame Mallory, the owner of a super traditional French restaurant Le Saule Pleureur’s which has been bestowed 2 Michelin stars.
By the way, this month’s host for Food ‘n Flix is Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla and Deb from Kahakai Kitchen for Cook the Books. I just so happen to have read the book 18 months ago and I have seen the movie twice. As a matter of fact it was the ‘blockbuster’ film of my annual Food Film Marathon which occurred in October.
I have mixed feelings on both the book and the film. The first half of the book – when in India and in small town France – is such a wonderful read. The second half in Paris I though was terrible. I know I am not alone as I read this with a book club and everyone agreed. The movie makers thankfully felt the same way and basically skipped most of the Paris story. The movie also took a lot (and I mean a lot) of creative license when compared to the book.
In the end I think I preferred the movie for its entertainment value and to see the gorgeous food I read about. There was no lack of inspiration for sure when picking a dish to make. But my Carrot Curry Canelés recipe is not featured in any way, I also took a lot of creative license for my inspiration.
A special baking mold called canelé
The portrayed Indian family immigrates to France near the sleepy town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region, in southern France. I pulled out a map last night and realized I slept 3 night in Saint-Marcel, about 20 km away! For 3 days my mom and I drove in that area back in 2003…but not on the road to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. A close miss but funny coincidence. The fusion aspect of my recipe however was not an accident!
I wanted the French side of my recipe to represent a nearby culinary tradition. Canelés are best know as sweet confections that are baked in a special mold called canelé, which means fluted. They are know for a dark golden crisp exterior. These are called canelé bordelais as they come from the region of Bordeaux, which is next to the Midi-Pyrénées.
Although known as a sweet, canelés may also be served for the cocktail hour and it’s the perfect alternative to chips or crackers. These Carrot Curry Canelés are a perfect savory treat, combining flavors of vegetables and perfumed Indian spices in a completely French package.
I brought these to a cocktail party and they were a hit. So they would be great for the holidays which are just around the corner. Feel free to play around with the recipe by adding different vegetables and spices or herbs.
Savory Carrot Curry Canelés
Ingredients
- 3 carrots
- 1 onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon curry
- 250 ml milk
- 30 gr butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons rum
- 90 gr flour
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Grate the carrots and onion and add to a skillet with the olive oil. On medium heat, cook until the carrots are tender. Mix in the curry powder. Set aside
- Heat milk and butter in a microwave for 1 minute, until butter is melted. Add salt, pepper and rum to milk. Mix well.
- In a bowl, mix flour and eggs. Beat in milk mixture 1/3 at a time to break up flour mixture. Add carrot to batter and mix well
- Fill the cannelés molds 2/3 of the way up.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (210°C) for 20 min, then lower to 375°F (180°C) and bake for 30 min or until they are a dark golden brown.
- Remove from mold immediately and let them cool before eating.
Want more Indian treats? Check these out below:
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This sounds fantastic! It looks so delicious and flavorful!
Thank you Nagi, these are wonderful little jewels for sure, very tasty 🙂
I did indeed know canelés as sweet. Not having a sweet tooth, I much prefer your savory ones. They look so pretty!
Thank you Simona, glad you have found a canelé version for a salty taste. let me know if you try the recipe 🙂
Oh I love these little molds! The book no so much, but carrots are among my fave vegetables
Check ebay because these molds can be $, yeah book not so great.
I love these little cakes. So creative, Evelyne!
Thank you Debra 🙂
These look lovely! Wonderful choice for both clubs!
Thank you Amy, will check yours out 🙂
These look and sound awesome Evelyne! That texture looks amazing and how can you go wrong with carrots and curry!
Thanks Mj, yes the texture was omelette/pancake like, lovely recipe 🙂
Great job Evelyne….I am glad that you chose to marry the two cultures as well.
Great minds think alike 😉
I am looking for one of those canelé molds. Definitely want to make those savory little treats, they look so good. A perfect cultural merge for the book and film.
I got mine on Ebay Claudia, thanks for stopping by!
Those look yummy. I have to try these now.
Thanks Kim they are a must
Savory caneles sound fantastic! And what fun to find you’ve been close to one of the book’s locales 🙂
Yes indeed what a coincidence I was nearby but missed it, thanks for your comment Liz.
I need to incorporate carrots into my baking!! I have YET to do that, but I know they’d lend a nice flavor!
Really you have to bake with carrots for sure.
My goodness you are so creative! I really enjoyed that movie too (I haven’t read the book but yes there wasn’t much of Paris in it).
Thanks Lorraine, hope you see the movie
I love how you fused the two cultures in the story into one recipe! And how amazing that both groups picked the same movie / book :0
Oh it was planned, not a coincidence. But a fun thing to do.
The book and movie are new to me so I will be checking them out. Your carrot dish looks and sounds delicious, Evelyne! My family loves carrots and it’s great to see a new recipe for them. I can imagine the great aroma while baking!
So glad your family loves carrot, hope you try the recipe!
Haven’t heard of the book or the movie — need to check them out. And definitely need to check out these canelés! What a terrific dish. Curry and carrots are such a nice combo, aren’t they? Thanks!
Yes loved the carrot curry combo, smelled great in the kitchen. Thanks John!
Haven’t heard of the movie or the book, but if it led to these canelés, it’s already a winner to me! They look really delicious, Evelyne 🙂
Check out the book or movie! Thank you Viviane, they were delicious for sure.
This is the first time I heard of this ones definitely something to make soon
Thanks Raymond and let me know how they turn out
This is so interesting Evelyne, and I love the idea of savory…so cute the canelés mold.
Have a wonderful week 🙂
They are surprisingly good as savory. Thank you Juliana and a great week to you too,
I’ve tasted Evelyne’s amazing Carrot Curry Canelés. They are incredibly delicious and also have a wonderful light and fluffy/spongy texture! I’m definitely going to try to make them at home. Great movie too!
Thanks Cara so glad you can testify to them having ate them. Let me know how yours turn out.
I’ve heard of this movie, and always wanted to see it. I definitely have to find it and view it very soon. Until then, I can stare at these beautiful carrot caneles…. I am getting hungry just looking at them Evelyne. Happy Holidays girl.
Thanks ia and Happy Holidays to you too, now go find that movie 🙂
I most definitely will girl 😉
Thumbs up for you, Evelyne. I don’t think I have ever had a savoury canele. They look great!
Thanks Angie, I know they are a find…savory what? lol
I loved that movie! Even my husband saw it with me and he liked it! These Caneles look delicious and you reminded me of a great movie!
Always a good sign if the husband likes it to lo. Thank you Katerina
Now I need a Canelé mold!
LOL check ebay I got mine cheaper there
These are gorgeous and they sound so good too! I love the creativity and how well your ‘creative license’ fits with the book and movie. (And I agree with your comments and your preference for the movie for exactly the same reasons!) 😉 Thanks for joining in.
Thanks Deb and for hosting as well. Was fun to do this cross over, Ha ha glad I am not alone on that either