Maple Mousse with Apple Eggs

It was Thursday and it was time to think about the challenge. With the weekend upon me, I knew I'd have the time to play with my food a bit, to interpret this month's Daring Bakers challenge in my own little way. Edible containers? I saw the fantastic results from the Daring Cooks' challenge (also using edible containers) and I wanted to do something a little unexpected. Besides, a container could be all sorts of things, even something as simple as a delivery device for maple cream, the other half of this month's challenge.

Todd suggested a turnover, and I went to work. He'd given me the suggestion of filling it with caramelized apples and maple cream, so with some leftover kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) in the freezer, I had a plan. And if I couldn't get the right shape for a turnover, heck, I'd just make a taco instead. Just as funny, and a container all the same.

All of that changed on Saturday afternoon.

I'd been doing some research in the living room when I heard a fluttering noise in the other room. We have a little home improvement project underway, so noises aren't unusual, but this one was different. A moment later I heard a loud thump against the big picture window, and I knew we had a bird in the house, a very frightened one at that.

The next few minutes were a blur as we ran around looking for handles to open the windows. A flash of red, black and white went past and I knew it was one of our neighborhood woodpeckers. Not the pesky kind, but a beautiful bird that sings and keeps a beat on the neighbors' chimneys, who greets us when we are working in the garden. It had somehow wiggled its way through a construction opening and was desperate to get out. Bang, bang, bang. I knew that it wouldn't last much longer with the force it was using to fly into the windows. I was right. It took one more giant dive and hit the window with a force that made my stomach lurch.

It lay at my feet, quivering and then stilled. I scooped it up and headed for the backyard, tears running freely. 'Maybe with a little fresh air…' I thought as I stroked its feathers.

The next day I was not in the mood to make tacos. Or turnovers. Or anything funny. I was in a funk since I put that bird in the ground. I pulled out all the ingredients and went to work in silence. When the cream went into the fridge to chill, I pulled out the kataifi and started playing with it. I tried shaping bowls, shells, and even tacos, but a nest was the only thing I had the heart to build. It was the least I could do, one more chance to say I'm sorry.

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