3 frache Recipes

water, leeks (white and pale green parts only), halved, thinly sliced, curry powder, asparagus, trimmed , cut into 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups), creme fraiche or sour cream, chopped fresh dill, whole pink peppercorns (optional)

blanched almonds (1/4 lb), toasted and cooled, sugar, fine fresh bread crumbs (from 6 to 7 slices firm white sandwich bread), unsalted butter, melted for filling, fresh brown coconut (1 1/2 lb), heavy cream, sugar, egg yolks, lightly beaten, vanilla (preferably mexican ), fresh red prickly pears (also called cactus pears; about 8), sugar , or to taste, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur such as cointreau (optional), crema (thick mexican cream), crme frache, or sour cream thinned with 1 tsp milk