December 27 is National Fruit Cake Day - Delightful Pastries Offers Modern Selections with Creative Twists

Fruit Cake fans (you know who you are), this month's for you. December is National  Fruit Cake Month. Delightful Pastries offers delicious variations including its holiday breads. Throw away any of your pre-conceived notions. Most ethnic groups have their favorite recipe for fruit and nut bread and Delightful Pastries' modern take is as refreshing as it is delicious. Try something new this year, like: Stollen ($20). A traditional German stollen includes candied orange peel, raisins, almonds and is ¬filled with marzipan. The English prefer a traditional fruit cake and Delightful Pastries gives it a modern twist, Cognac Fruit Cake ($20), which is soaked in Cognac and Grand Marnier, which makes the taste of all the fruit and nuts come alive. Another modern twist on a traditional,Royal Gingerbread ($14) is filled with hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, raisins and candied orange peel; the entire bread is dipped in chocolate. Holiday breads also make awesome French toast for Christmas or New Year's breakfast.

Fruit cakes and fruit breads are available at all three Delightful Pastries location: 5927 W. Lawrence Avenue , Chicago, in the Jefferson Park neighborhood (phone: 773-545-7215). Store hours are Tuesday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; closed on Monday. The Old Town Chicago location, which includes the Café, is at 1710 N. Wells St ., just north of North Avenue (phone: 312-255-0724). Store hours are Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chicago French Market location is at 131 N. Clinton Ave., Chicago (phone: 312-234-9644). Store hours are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Sundays.

Delightful Pastries Gift and Entertaining Suggestions

In a quandary over what to buy? You can't go wrong with a delightful gift. Don't go empty handed and don't be caught off guard. Keep a supply of homemade cookies, jams, and assorted platters to create gift baskets, use as stocking stuffers, and for entertaining. 
The Butter Cookie Christmas Tree ($35) makes for a perfect centerpiece. Butter cookies are filled with apricot preserves, decorated with royal icing and holiday ornaments made out of sugar. Keep several International Cookie Trays ($35) on hand. Perfect for office parties and family entertaining, this fabulous tray is filled with kolaczki, Sicilian fig cucidatis, Viennese almond crescents, rugelach, peppermint meringues, linzers, Christmas mice, French macarons, Mexican wedding cookies and sugar cookies. The Petit Pastry Tray (Small,$40; Large, $80) is an assortment of petit pastries such as éclairs, fruit tarts, tiramisu, panna cotta, chocolate mousse and berry cup, cannoli, financier and more.

Special Delightful Pastries Catering Packages:
When catering a holiday event, you need look no further than Delightful Pastries. Both savory and sweet items are on the menu. Advance orders are being accepted.

ORDER NOW at the Chicago French Market - Store , 131 N. Clinton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60661, Phone:  (312) 234-9644;  Old Town Chicago - Café & Store, 1710 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60614, Phone:  (312) 255-0724; Jefferson Park Chicago - Store, 5927 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630, Phone: (773) 545-7215.

Delightful Pastries PIE CLASS - November 23 at 6PM - Holiday pies with a twist

Holiday pies with a twist will be featured in this class.

To reserve a spot please send a check to 5927 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago IL 60630. If for any reason a class needs to be cancelled the participants will be refunded their money.

The class will take place Saturday November 23 at 6 p.m. at 1710 N Wells, Chicago IL 60614.
Class is $50 per student.

For questions or more information about Delightful Pastries, including classes, catering, delivery, and wholesale services, please send an email to info@delightfulpastries.com or visit the website at www.delightfulpastries.com .

2014 Food Trend Predictions from Delightful Pastries in Chicago

Move over doughnuts and cupcakes, here comes the Mini (single serve) Pie, according to Chef Dobra Hawryszczuk Bielinski, chef/partner of Chicago-based Delightful Pastries. “Mini Pies have grown in popularity over the years and you’ll be seeing a boom in popularity in 2014. Mini Pies provide guests the opportunity to enjoy their favorite, whether it be a more traditional apple, cherry, peach or pumpkin, or newer versions using a fusion of sweet and even savory flavors.”

Single serving savory pies also will see huge growth in 2014 with homespun versions of the traditional “chicken pot pie” alongside emerging trends like peanut butter, ham & Gruyere, Vegetable, and spinach and lamb.

“Sandwiches also take center plate this coming year,” says Bielinski, whose Delightful Pastries operates three locations, two of which offer a full menu of savory dishes alongside sweets. “Look for fresh ground, locally raised, hormone-free meat selections and homemade breads and buns.” 

The focus will be on creative combo sandwiches using a fusion of European and Asian flavors and melding them together like Delightful Pastries’ Three Piggly Wigglys sandwiches with Polish ham, Polish bacon, pork cutlet and Asian sauce added to it. Forget white bread—Five Grain Sourdough, Farmer Rye, Seeded Sourdough and Pecan Cranberry bread will be popular for bread service as well as for sandwiches. Packaged meats will be replaced with homemade ingredients helping moms to know that the food they are serving is hormone and chemical free.

Value conscious meals will include a leaner ground turkey meat loaf and use of greens such as Swiss chard and kale in various combinations with red onion, heirloom beans and serviced as sides, soups and center of the plate.

The idea of farm to table and gluten-free selections remain strong.

For more information about Delightful Pastries, including catering, delivery, and wholesale services, please send an email to info@delightfulpastries.com or visit the website at www.delightfulpastries.com.

New Delightful Pastries Pie Menu Just in Time for Thanksgiving

Bring home delicious, homemade pies from Delightful Pastries for all to enjoy this Thanksgiving. Whatever is your fancy, Delightful Pastries' new expanded pie menu will have something to suit your taste. Included are traditional selections like Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie and the not so traditional Apple Caramel, Cranberry Fudge, Coconut Chocolate, and Bourbon Chocolate Pecan. All pies ($25) serve 8-10 people; are made from scratch and use no artificial flavors or preservatives.

 

For those entertaining for the weekend, pick up a breakfast/brunch savory pie such as the Spinach Lamb ($58), Veggie Quiche ($42), or Ham Quiche ($42). Other items on Delightful Pastries' to go catering menu include: winter and grain salads, mini-pastry trays, international cookie trays and brownie trays. Pre-orders are recommended and package pricing is available. Orders may be placed at all three Delightful Pastries locations: 5927 W. Lawrence Avenue, in the Jefferson Park neighborhood (phone: 773-545-7215); the Old Town Chicago location at 1710 N. Wells St., just north of North Avenue (phone: 312-255-0724) and the Chicago French Market location at 131 N. Clinton Ave. (phone:  312-234-9644).

 

Sweet Pies:

 

Apple Pie - Butter crust filled with 2 pounds of Michigan apples from Schaeffer Orchards tossed with cinnamon and a light touch of sugar.

 

Apple Caramel Pie - Apple pie filled and topped with our scratch made caramel.

 

Cranberry Fudge Pie - Graham cracker crust filled with chocolate and topped with cranberries, a study in sweet and sour contrasts.

 

Coconut Chocolate Pie - A gluten-free pie constructed with a coconut shell filled with creamy chocolate ganache.

 

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie - A delicious pie filled with pecans, bittersweet Belgian chocolate and a touch of bourbon.

 

Pecan Pie - A delicious pie studded with half a pound of crunchy pecans.

 

Brandied Pumpkin Pie - A traditional pumpkin pie baked with a touch of brandy and a side of cinnamon whipped cream.

 

Savory Pies:

 

Spinach Lamb Pie ($58) French pastry filled with organic lamb and spinach, topped with gruyere béchamel sauce.

 

Veggie Quiche ($42) Made with leeks, spinach, onions, mushrooms and Swiss cheese stuffed in a French pastry.

 

Ham Quiche ($42) Baked with locally made Polish ham and Swiss cheese.

 

Other options for at home catering:

 

Winter Salad ($50) Arugula, butternut squash, roasted beets, oranges, spiced walnuts and maple mustard vinaigrette.

 

Grain Salad ($55) Wheatberries, chickpeas, celery, medjool dates, pickles red onion, mesclun mix and cumin vinaigrette.

 

Others sweets:

 

Mini-Pastry Tray (large $80; small $40) An assortment of mini eclairs, cannoli, fruit tarts, chocolate tulips, mousse cups, key lime pies, financiers, macarons, pana cotta, lemon meringue tarts.

 

Brownie Tray ($25) 40-piece tray of our assorted bars and brownies, all bite sized, perfect for a party or business meeting.

 

International Cookie Tray ($30) Viennese Almond Crescents, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Kolaczki, Italian Rainbow Cookies, Sprinkle Cookies, French Macarons.

 

Special Catering Packages:

 

Package #1 $150, serves 10 people - Veggie Quiche, Butternut Squash Soup, Winter Salad and 1 pie of choice.

 

Package #2 $190, serves 10 people Ham Quiche, Butternut Squash Soup, Grain Salad, 1 pie of choice and a small mini-pastry tray.

 

# # #

 

Delightful Pastries Holiday Recipe

Pumpkin Pie

 

INGREDIENTS:


1 ½ cups Pumpkin puree
¼ cup Brown sugar
2 tsp Granulated sugar (to taste)
1 tsp Cinnamon
¾ tsp Ginger, ground
1/8 tsp Cloves, ground
2 tsp Brandy/Whiskey/Bourbon
3 Eggs, slightly beaten
1 Yolk
1 cup Half and half
1 pie shell, prebaked

DIRECTIONS:
Whisk the puree till nice and smooth, whisk in sugar, spices and alcohol of choice.
Then whisk in the eggs, yolk and half and half.

Taste for sweetness if not sweet enough add a little bit more sugar.

Pour filling in a prebaked shell and bake for around 45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean in between the center and the edge.

Serve with whipped cream that has been sweetened about 2 oz powdered sugar per quart of whipped cream, and a dash of cinnamon to compliment the flavor of the pumpkin pie.

Delightful Pastries, Pumpkin Pie©


***SAVE THE DATE***

Saturday, November 23, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m.
Delightful Pastries Pie Class - Holiday pies with a twist

October 11 is World Egg Day. Enjoy Egg Sandwiches, Quiche and Fritatta at Delightful Pastries

Did you know that eggs contain the highest quality protein you can buy? Or that Egg yolks are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of Vitamin D? There's a good reason why the world celebrates World Egg Day on the second Friday of October every year.

 

Eggs have a vital role to play in feeding people around the world, in both developed and developing countries. They are an excellent, affordable source of high quality protein, with the potential to feed the world. World Egg Day has been celebrated the world over from Vietnam to Mozambique, from Switzerland to Argentina, and throughout the U.S.

Delightful Pastries incorporates eggs into many of its dishes. Their quiches are worth dreaming about. The menu features three selections, all made with eggs:Ham & Gruyere Quiche with Polish ham and gruyere cheese $5.50/slice; Vegetable Quiche with spinach, leek, mushroom and Swiss cheese $5.50/slice andSpinach Lamb Pie with spinach, minced local lamb, Béchamel sauce and Swiss cheese, served with homemade Tzatziki sauce, $7/slice. The light and fluffy Frittata with zucchini, red pepper, onion, potato and eggs is gluten free and a delicious egg option.  Whole Quiche is available at all three Delightful Pastries for $40, each serving 8-10 people.

 

Delightful Pastries takes the concept of the Breakfast Sandwich to a new level. The B.E.L.T. Sandwich ($8.50) uses peppered bacon, egg salad, baby lettuces, tomato, made-from-scratch butter croissant, while the Lightest Touch Breakfast Sandwich ($8.55), is made from two eggs cooked to order, with tomato, cucumber, spinach, and Swiss cheese on homemade sourdough bread. Both are available at the Wells St. and the Chicago French Market locations.

Candy Making Class at Delightful Pastries on Lawrence, Oct. 10 at 2 pm

Did you ever want to learn the tricks of the candy making trade? Now's your chance. Delightful Pastries Chef/partner Dobra Bielinki is offering a candy making class, 2 p.m., October 19 at the bakery's 5927 W. Lawrence Ave. location. The cost is $60 per student. You'll learn how to make caramels, truffles, brittle and bubble gum, just in time for holiday gift-giving. To reserve a spot,  send a check to 5927 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago IL 60630. If for any reason a class needs to be cancelled, the participants will be refunded their money.

For questions about classes please email Dobra at info@delightfulpastries.com or call  773-545-7215.

October 8 is National Pierogi Day – Pick-up a selection at Delightful Pastries

We're a huge fan of Pierogi and it's wonderful to know that Delightful Pastries offers a variety of homemade ones, making it easy to enjoy them at any time of year. October 8, however, is set aside to honor this delicious stuffed dumpling, common in most Central and Eastern European diets. You don't have to be Polish to enjoy. Variations of the theme pop up in many cultures with varied spellings...usually stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, or cheese. 

Bet you can't eat one. Yes. They are hard to resist. Fresh off the griddle, enjoy Delightful Pastries' three flavors: Cheese and Potato, Mushroom and Sauerkraut, or Meat, available in two styles: Chicago Style, with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and Tzatzki sauce, or Grandma Style with Caramelized onions and sour cream. They are sold for 4 pieces for $6 or 6 pieces for $8.

October is National Dessert Month AND National Cookie Month Celebrate with Goodies from Delightful Pastries

You probably already know that October is one of the sweetest months on the calendar. But did you know its set aside to celebrate National Dessert Month, National Cookie Month AND National Caramel Month? The fact is, October is one of the most decadent months on the calendar with regard to sweet food holidays. You'll also find a myriad of special days including Caramel Custard Day (Oct. 3), Angel Food Cupcake Day (Oct. 10), Dessert Day (October 14), Chocolate Cupcake Day (Oct 18), Boston Crème Pie Day (Oct. 23) and a host of other options to tantalize your taste buds.

So when looking to celebrate, you don't have to look far. Delightful Pastries three Chicago-area locations (Chicago French Market, Wells St. and Lawrence Ave.) will satisfy your cravings with boundless choices, all made in-house using the finest and freshest ingredients. They do not add chemicals or preservatives to any of their products.

Start your day with sweet morning pastries like their flaky all butter chocolate or almond croissants, chocolate brioche or Paczki (Polish doughnuts).

Move on to lunch, mid-day snacks and dinner by treating your family or co-workers to Congo Bars ($3.50), Paradise Brownies ($3.50), Mango Caramel Macaroons ($30/lb) or Pecan Caramel Turtles ($27/lb); baked-fresh daily cookie ($18/lb) options (choose from 10 different varieties daily), or take home a cake, full-size and mini-individual pies, cupcakes and more.

Whatever your passion, Delightful Pastries is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This Little Piggy Went To Market - October is National Pork Month
and Country Ham Month
Delightful Pastries Celebrates a
with Three Piggly Wiggly Sandwich Special and More

If you ask the National Hog Farmer magazine, when is National Pork Month? They'd say every month. But, October is the "official" Pork Month. Everyone's favorite "other white meat" has grown in such popularity; it is a staple on most home and restaurant menus.

Chicago's Delightful Pastries (Chicago French Market location) celebrates to remind people that they have wonderful savory offerings including ones featuring locally sourced, hormone-free pork. Customer favorites include the Three Piggly Wiggly Sandwich ($10); Special this October (at the Chicago French Market location only), add $1 and enjoy egg and cheese on your Three Piggly Wiggly. Other pork specials include: Polish ham, lean crispy bacon, pan-fried-pork-cutlet, and pickles served on an "everything bun"; The Polish Sandwich ($8.25), Polish ham, Swiss cheese, handmade horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, tomato and field greens; the Ham & Gruyere Quiche ($5.50/slice) and Meat Pierogi (4 pieces/$6; 6 pieces/$8). Interested in soup? You can add a cup to any sandwich order for an additional $2 or enjoy a cup alone, $4. Delightful Pastries' Clam Chowder Soup and Split Pea Soup both include crispy bacon.

October 8 is National Pierogi Day - Pick-up a selection at Delightful Pastries

We're a huge fan of Pierogi and it's wonderful to know that Delightful Pastries offers a variety of homemade ones, making it easy to enjoy them at any time of year. October 8, however, is set aside to honor this delicious stuffed dumpling, common in most Central and Eastern European diets. You don't have to be Polish to enjoy. Variations of the theme pop up in many cultures with varied spellings...usually stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, or cheese.

Bet you can't eat one. Yes. They are hard to resist. Fresh off the griddle, enjoy Delightful Pastries' three flavors: Cheese and Potato, Mushroom and Sauerkraut, or Meat, available in two styles: Chicago Style, with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and Tzatzki sauce, or Grandma Style with Caramelized onions and sour cream. They are sold for 4 pieces for $6 or 6 pieces for $8.

October 11 is World Egg Day. Enjoy Egg Sandwiches, Quiche and Fritatta at
Delightful Pastries

Did you know that eggs contain the highest quality protein you can buy? Or that Egg yolks are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of Vitamin D? There's a good reason why the world celebrates World Egg Day on the second Friday of October every year.

Eggs have a vital role to play in feeding people around the world, in both developed and developing countries. They are an excellent, affordable source of high quality protein, with the potential to feed the world. World Egg Day has been celebrated the world over from Vietnam to Mozambique, from Switzerland to Argentina, and throughout the U.S.

Delightful Pastries incorporates eggs into many of its dishes. Their quiches are worth dreaming about. The menu features three selections, all made with eggs: Ham & Gruyere Quiche with Polish ham and gruyere cheese $5.50/slice; Vegetable Quiche with spinach, leek, mushroom and Swiss cheese $5.50/slice and Spinach Lamb Pie with spinach, minced local lamb, Béchamel sauce and Swiss cheese, served with homemade Tzatziki sauce, $7/slice. The light and fluffy Frittata with zucchini, red pepper, onion, potato and eggs is gluten free and a delicious egg option. Whole Quiche is available at all three Delightful Pastries for $40, each serving 8-10 people.

Delightful Pastries takes the concept of the Breakfast Sandwich to a new level. The B.E.L.T. Sandwich ($8.50) uses peppered bacon, egg salad, baby lettuces, tomato, made-from-scratch butter croissant, while the Lightest Touch Breakfast Sandwich ($8.55), is made from two eggs cooked to order, with tomato, cucumber, spinach, and Swiss cheese on homemade sourdough bread. Both are available at the Wells St. and the Chicago French Market locations.

Candy Making Class at Delightful Pastries on Lawrence, Oct. 10

Did you ever want to learn the tricks of the candy making trade? Now's your chance. Delightful Pastries Chef/partner Dobra Bielinki is offering a candy making class, 2 p.m., October 19 at the bakery's 5927 W. Lawrence Ave. location. The cost is $60 per student. You'll learn how to make caramels, truffles, brittle and bubble gum, just in time for holiday gift-giving. To reserve a spot, send a check to 5927 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago IL 60630. If for any reason a class needs to be cancelled, the participants will be refunded their money.

For questions about classes please email Dobra at info@delightfulpastries.com or call 773-545-7215.

Delightful Pastries Celebrates Harvest Festival at Chicago French Market October 10-12

Delightful Pastries joins Chicago French Market in celebrating its Harvest Festival Thursday, October 10 through Saturday, October 12. "October is the perfect time to celebrate the fall harvest," says Nico Hua, partner of Delightful Pastries. We encourage our guests to enjoy our savory offerings including homemade, gluten free Butternut Squash Soup ($4), The Thanksgiving sandwich, with turkey breast, Swiss cheese, homemade horseradish, mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, cranberry sauce, tomato and field greens ($8.25) or enjoy the combination, Sandwich and Soup for $10.25. Egg lovers will be happy to know that October 11 is World Egg Day. For only $1 extra, you can add egg and cheese to Delightful Pastries popular Three Piggly Wiggly sandwich ($10), Polish ham, lean crispy bacon, pan-fried-pork-cutlet, and pickles served on an "everything" bun. The pumpkin cayenne pepper cheesecake brownie ($3.50 each), the pumpkin bread (8.50/loaf), and pumpkin-shaped all butter sugar cookie ($3.50 each) are the perfect take-home desserts (or eat on the run) for the Harvest Fest. Delightful Pastries will be doing complimentary brownie samplings throughout the festival.