Happy Valentine!

And what is inside you ask?

Yummmm.  Chocolate mousse and fresh berries!  

The real question is cup of hot tea, or glass of prosecco?

Age is just a number

So I went to run errands looking like this...

And was inspired to take a couple selfies.  It isn't like me to do it but I got such a boost of confidence at the grocery store!

I stopped on the way out to buy a lottery ticket.  The clerk asked me if I was 18.  Even after I said yes she asked for my ID.   I guess my surprise seemed suspicious.  Anyhow, I couldn't stop thanking her and giggling the whole time.  

Over 30,and under the weather with a nasty cold, but still lookin' underage!  Woohoo!  

To be fair I have had this shirt since I was 19. And from a thrift shop no less....

Maybe this bodes well karma-wise for my lottery chances?!

Chinotto Cocktail Creation

I usually think of rum as a summertime treat.  You know- Cuba libre, mojitos, umbrella drinks, etc.  However, I have created my own winter rum cocktail!

It does not have a clever name yet.  I'm still working on that part, but here is the recipe:

1 part dark rum

3 parts San Pellegrino Chinotto

Not too much ice.  It is already chilly outside.  And probably not a spiced rum either.  The flavor of the Chinotto is enough already. 

If you are not familiar with Chinotto, it is an Italian citrus fruit.  The flavor to me is a combination of pear or persimmon with a blood orange.  You can still find decent pears this late in winter and the oranges are great and ripe, so this feels like a season appropriate flavor.

The San Pellegrino drink is carbonated so you do not need to add any club soda to the cocktail. Plus, I don't put in too much ice because I go light on the rum and don't want to dilute it with water. 

Enjoy!

Pastry dances

Are these Broadway desserts?   Dancing Pastries?   Fancy treats for a cotillion?

I don't know but I want to find out.  And I will find out soon.

Chocolate and .... ??

I know, I know...  Why would I need anything else besides the chocolate right?

I have been experimenting with cheese and choc combinations recently and used this Ibiza sea salt dark chocolate with Petit Basque.  The salt and sweet was a nice balance with the flavor or the sheep cheese.

But now as I eat the chocolate for dessert with some hot tea, it occurs to me that it would be great with plain popcorn.  Talk about a fantastic salty, sweet, gluten free - almost could be called healthy - treat!

True words that make me giggle

When I worked at a summer camp we used to make jokes about things that do not go well together.   Spaghetti and Breakfast; Alcohol and Swimming Pools; Crickets and Cabins.

But this was one we didn't think of but probably should have.  

I'm glad the folks at Bodum coffee did though!

History of holiday treats

I should have been a food historian.

I find myself fascinated by how many variations of holiday treats there are from different countries around the world.   Working in a European style bakery means I see and get to taste a lot of these!

Stollen, Panettone, Light English Fruitcake, Florentines, Traditional American Fruitcake.....

So many ways to bind together dried fruit in a sweet - with or without rum, nuts, marzipan or actual cake.
And they have interesting histories to explore while you eat them!