Monday, March 7, 2011

Neiman Marcus Popovers


If you have ever had the pleasure of dining at Neiman Marcus, then you know how wonderful the popovers are when they arrive at your table. The classic strawberry butter that is served along side, just melts on each bite of the crunchy and rich popover. One of the classic starters at Neiman Marcus is the complimentary demitasse cup of handmade chicken consumme with a petite puff pastry bite. The chicken flavor is out of this world and you will surely savor each sip. I first experienced this epitome of luxury at the Rotunda Restaurant which overlooks Union Square in San Francisco.

Mr. Stanely Marcus; or better known as “Mr. Stanley” was a greatly respected businessman whose celebrated acumen and promotional intellect defined and shaped the Neiman Marcus company. He was a second generation contributor to the business with his father, Herbert Marcus being the founder of this marquee company in 1907. Neiman Marcus is synonymous for taste, elegance and flair. He encouraged the chefs to be creative and put a modern twist on traditional recipes. Mr. Stanley focused on the customer.

A few of the notes that Mr. Stanley left for the forward to the Neiman Marcus cookbook are simply the reasons why this special restaurant is so successful. Here is his list:
  • Customers do not like to wait more than two minutes to be recognized and four minutes to be seated.
  • Customers like prompt service of food; Prompt service of breads, jams, and butter; and the service of a waiter one minute after being seated.
  • The manager should be able to quickly inspect a dining room to see if any food has not been eaten.
  • Offer a small dish newly added to the menu without a charge.
  • Know the customers by name and know their habits and taste preferences.
  • Prompt response to the customer’s eye and head signals, especially when it comes to presenting the check.
If you have the opportunity to eat at one of these iconic restaurants at a Neiman Marcus, you will certainly not be disappointed. These popovers take a bit of time to make, but worth every minute - crunchy on the outside and rich on the inside and completely satisfying.
















Popovers

Recipe from Neiman Marcus Cookbook

Makes 12

3 1/2 C. milk
4 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
6 large eggs, at room temperature

Pre-heat the oven to 450°F

Place the milk in a bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes, or until warm to the touch. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl.

Crack the eggs into the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk and beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until foamy and pale in color. Turn down the mixer to low and add the warm milk. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Turn the machine off and let the batter rest for 1 hour at room temperature.

Spray a popover tin generously with nonstick spray. Fill the popover cups almost to the top with the batter and place the popover tin on a cookie sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn down the oven temperature to 375°F and bake for 30 to 35 minutes longer, until the popovers are a deep golden brown on the outside and airy on the inside.

Turn out the popovers and serve hot with strawberry butter.

Note: The key to making great popovers is having the eggs and milk warm before mixing. It is also important to let the batter sit for an hour before baking it. Popovers do not freeze well, and pre-made batter has a tendency not to work properly the next day.


















Strawberry butter (optional)

3/4 C. Strawberry Preserves
1/2 C. Butter

Place the butter in the work bowl of an electric mixer and beat on high until light and fluffy. Add the preserves and beat until well combined.

To serve, spoon or pipe the flavored butter into 2-tablespoon ramekins or onto side plates.

Note: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container. This spread will last for two to three days.

Recipes from the Neiman Marcus Cookbook by Kevin Garvin

41 comments:

  1. I have never had a pop over, they intrigue me and look delish

    ReplyDelete
  2. These popovers looks delicious! It's so funny... i've seen so many posts on popovers, but looking at yours right now I'm realizing that I've never even had one before. It looks awesome though - nice and chewy on the inside? But in general I love bread - I know I can eat a whole batch of these.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks a lot like these British Yorkshire pudding. Looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I need to make a trip to Needless Markup, I mean Neiman Marcus for these little treats hehe. Love their cafe (=

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fun to read about Mr.Stanley and you know I love those popovers, I always want to eat two but I limit myself, that's a good thing when it comes to any kind of bread;-) I'll have to give these a try, I have a popover pan somewhere!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this post. I've always wanted to have lunch as Neiman Marcus and now i will definitely be going. I love the part about Mr. Stanley's advice. This makes me wanna go out and get their cookbook. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMG! they looks so yummy!!!! It's lunchtime here!!! Can I have some??? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my! These look so good! Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. Almost every entry is starred in my reader :) We're just finishing a kitchen renovation and I can't wait to try some of your recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a lovely post, Lisa! It makes me want to a) buy a popover pan and b) go to Neiman Marcus immediately :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lisa, it's very nice to see your popover picture at Foodgawker! :-) They look so yummy! Will have to try them out on my next trip to NM! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. YUM! I heart popovers! Those look amazing!! I could eat the whole basket! :) You're awesome Lisa!

    Farmgirl Hugs!
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't think the strawberry butter would be optional. I've never been there, now I'm dying to go. Haven't had popovers in too long. Hope you are having a great week. Divine photos.
    -Gina-

    ReplyDelete
  13. thanks so much for following my blog...adding you to my list. love this blog...and i appreciate your comment on my BLOGGING NOW post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks amazing..what a lovely presentation!
    congrats on top 9!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I had never heard of popovers before, but they look beautiful and super tasty! I also love the strawberry butter idea!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The extreme puffiness :) congratulations on top 9 on foodbuzz!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a good friend who loves Nieman Marcus in general and took me to lunch there a couple of times. Your listing of what makes a good restaurant went right in step with what I remember about eating there, right down to that lovely little piece of puff pastry in soup. Love popovers! The last time I made them, they were sporting the high brown of being in the oven too long ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just got a little nostalgic reading about Neiman Marcus because I used to window-shop there all the time in NY. Guess I'll have to make it up to Union Square one of these days. Maybe we could meet there :-) Loving these elegant and fluffy popovers. They look and sound delish. Great restauranteur tips too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congrats on your top 9! Love Neimans.

    ReplyDelete
  20. these look delicious and going to put on my baking to do recipes this week! check out my blog www.thebasilbee.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm going to visit our local Neiman's just to try their popovers and dining experience! I don't even think I've seen their restaurant.

    Thse turned out beautiful ;) Congrats today on the Top 9!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have never actually had a popover, but my mother talks about them and how much she likes them. These are looking darn tempting... nicely done! Congrats on the Top 9 as well!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your popovers look stunning! I wish I had a popover pan.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Never had one. Yours look simple and delicious, love your photos. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. For the strawberry butter, how much butter and how much preserves for the recipe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Tina - thank you for stopping by! I have just updated the post with the strawberry butter recipe! ENJOY!!!

      Delete
  26. Hi,

    Can you make popovers in a regular muffin tin or do you need to use a special popover pan? Thanks, Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello - I have always used a popover pan to make these and found them cheap at homegoods and/or TJ Maxx. I don't see why you can't use a muffin tin - let me know how it turns out if you do try. Good luck!!

      Delete
  27. I tried the muffin pan, they tasted great but didn't "popover" as much I think you need the taller thinner shape of the popover pan cups. I will be on the hunt for a popover pan now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always good to try it, right? I agree with you on the taller thinner shape is probably the key. I found my popover pan at TJ Maxx and it was if I remember correctly - about $20 or less. Have a great upcoming weekend!

      Delete
  28. If you haven't already, you may enjoy delving into Helen Corbitt's cookbooks. She is the brilliant chef that Stanly Marcus brought to the Zodiac Room at the flagship store in Dallas Texas in the 1950. Her legacy still influences food at Neimans. Her Chicken Velvet Soup was reprinted by her successor. And then there's her legendary Poppy Seed Dressing that many think she invented. She refused to take that credit but maintained that she merely made it popular. I grew up dining at the Zodiac Room and wish I could just pop in anytime but alas, I live in Oregon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the information - will check it out! Have a great Sunday!!

      Delete
  29. I live in Dallas, TX and have been eating at Neiman's since the 1960s. I always have their popovers with strawberry butter. They are delicious. The service level there is not what it was when Mr. Stanley owned the store, but it is still superior to most. Neiman's is part of a retail group now, no longer privately owned.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would like to know if I could use this recipe and use a larger popover pan for six instead of 13

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by! I used a standard popover pan and the recipe made 12. I believe as long as you follow the directions and fill to the top, you can vary the size of the popover but may need extra cooking time. You could also cut the recipe in half if you only want 6. Hope that helps!

      Delete
  31. Love your story about NM; will have to go there, as I am just across the bay. I'm wondering why the recipe calls for baking powder, though, because I made Gordon Ramsay's recipe, which doesn't call for it, and they came out great. Also didn't need cooking spray when using a nonstick popover pan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by! I believe each recipe varies just a bit. I followed the Neiman Marcus recipe just as it was written. They came out great! I will have to give the Gordon Ramsay recipe a try. Happy New Year Emily!

      Delete
  32. Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by! I believe by using a cupcake pan, they will look more like muffins than a true popover and you won't get the height. I found my popover pan at either TJ Maxx or Homegoods but I bet you can find online at a reasonable price. It is worth the small investment to make them perfect in my mind. Good luck!!

      Delete