In one of my French study courses at the moment, our July topic is Les Jeux Olympiques, which are hosted in France this summer; it’s very exciting!
The foto above is of the Phyrges, the official mascots of the Games. Their shape is symbolic of the French caps worn as symbols of liberty during the French Revolution, and their motto is Alone we go faster, but together we go further.
I adore being in France at this hour! Here I’m landing to tell a tale inspired by the hope and excitement that the Games offer. It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been 20 years since the following story happened ... but it has in fact, been 20 years.
Spoiler alert ~ I’ve been seeing the gold for these last 20 years ;) ... I hope you enjoy this story, and its inspired recipe that will shine in my new cookbook.
During the 2004 Summer Olympics, I was having one very bad day when each and every thing – one right after the other - was going tilt. I wasn’t seeing any gold (in my personal experience).
And, my prayer during a much-needed time out that day, was inspired by exactly that. I sent it out to anyone and everyone out there in spirit who was listening. Please and thank you, show me the gold here. Not seein’ it. NOT seein’ it.
Almost immediately – 11 minutes later, I love to say – things started to shift dramatically. The gold started showing up, and continued accordingly. All. Week. Long.
One of my posts that extremely-busy, things-double-booked week was to prepare and serve breakfast to early morning Los Angeles radio hosts. One stop on the tour was the once-very-famous Mark&Brian show at the home of KABC Radio.
Lynn Mink was the elderly, very kind facilities manager at the station. Our meeting that morning felt like a divine appointment. As he very kindly assisted me to use their kitchen, my entire visit unfolded like an entire series of little miracles. Mark and Brian loved the breakfast, the entire team went crazy for the extra I’d prepared for them, I was invited back repeatedly, etc!
Miraculously enough, the rest of my week was filled with blessings as well. I may save those stories for another day!
For years afterward, my friendship with Lynn Mink was a true treasure in my life. We cooked together once monthly for the stations’ staff, to offer his legendary pancakes and his sincere pride and joy - Peach Cobbler.
In our quiet moments we shared thoughts on spirituality and life’s lessons, the slow passing of his beloved wife, our mutual passion for Disneyland, his travels to Italy with his precious granddaughter, and lots of other splendid things.
An insistent angel’s whisper surprisingly coaxed me to share his prized recipe in the Cake department of my new cookbook, and not because a box cake mix is a key ingredient. His recipe was so delicious and full of love, I was ordered - in no uncertain terms - to include it!
More importantly, this extremely kind and loving southern gentleman was truly an angel in my life. I am both humbled and honored beyond measure, to share a recipe in his memory.
Lynn’s Peach Cobbler – always prepared with the purest of joy and passion - rendered a stellar representation of what I call Love Made Visible. I have actually adapted his original rendition to be more in alignment with my own style of cooking … which usually does not include box cake mixes so shhh, it’s our secret! I’m doing it just this once!
Lynn’s recipe, taught him by a southern lady, was made with 3 ingredients – canned peaches, yellow cake mix, margarine. Mine has some different and more, and renders almost an exact replica of his - with a spiced twist that I hope you will love. Before you find my recipe here, kindly note the following.
About six medium-ripe fresh summer peaches yield a sublime cobbler, and slightly defrosted frozen peaches will also work well. The simple syrup for soaking the peaches and drizzling along the edges is infused with three of my favorite spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, and a very generous pinch of each is fine if you don’t have whole spices. I use butter instead of margarine; either salted or unsalted is fine. And in America, Duncan Hines cake mixes are my preferred brand.
Consider having these few ingredients on hand, so that you can whip up this same sweet brand of Pure Love in a heartbeat, at any time.
And oh, by the way … Please and thank you for showing me the gold here, not seein’ it, is still my prayer when called for. I’m here to promise you that it works almost-instant magic every. Single. Time.
I highly recommend entertaining the possibility that the same will absolutely be true for you!
Until then, please and thank you, enjoy this extraordinary Peach Cobbler.
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