ORANGE CHOCOLATE SCONES

I came across a great recipe from Elana's Pantry for Orange Chocolate Scones. I was a little hesitant as the recipe called for almond four and agave nectar for sweetening. Don't forget that this was my first attempt at using alternative, natural, ingredients when baking. To my utmost delight, these scones turned out to be sensationally aromatic and delicious—you'd never know that butter was omitted from the mix. These guiltless scones are perfect for breakfast or anytime you're craving something sweet and delicious! On an even better note, they are easy to make!




Gluten Free Orange Chocolate Scones:

2 cups blanched almond flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips (the recipe calls for dark chocolate chips, but I used Callebaut milk chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 egg
3 tablespoons agave nectar

1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, chips and zest
2. In a smaller bowl, combine egg and agave
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry
4. Knead dough with hands if necessary to ensure proper distribution of ingredients
5. Form dough into a circle that is about ½-inch in thick
6. Cut dough like a pizza, into 8 slices
7. Using a metal baking spatula transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet
8. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes
9. Serve

hot chocolate

Today was the first real of sign of fall here in Texas. That's right—the third day in November! I woke up in a hurry, walked outside feeling the cool crisp air, looked up and saw a cloudy gray sky. A smile quickly warmed up my face as I thought about coming home later to a nice cup of hot cocoa. I began thinking, what are some varieties of this beloved libation?
Mexican hot chocolate is made with chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla and—depending on how spicy you like it—a pinch of chile powder. American hot chocolate generally consists of a chocolate powder, which is often mixed with hot milk or water. Marshmallows are sometimes added, not only to make ourselves feel like we came up with the warm sweet concoction all by ourselves, but to add a nice creamy contrast in color and texture. In Europe hot chocolate is taken seriously and literally. Their winter drink is made with real chocolate, giving it a nice thick consistency. Just imagine walking around the Marais district, bundled up in a chunky knit sweater and cashmere coat, and coming back to your Parisian loft for a hot cup of liquid chocolate—c'est parfait (perfect)!!

Here's a recipe to for Parisian Hot Chocolate (David Lebovitz):

Four ‘Parisian-sized’ Servings

2 cups (1/2l) whole milk
5 ounces (130 g) bittersweet chocolate, (with at least 70% cacao solids), finely chopped
optional: 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1. Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.

2. Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot. For a thick hot chocolate, cook at a very low boil for about 3 minutes, whisking frequently. (Be careful and keep an eye on the mixture, as it may boil up a bit during the first moments.)

3. Taste, and add brown sugar if desired.

a piece of cake

I'm on a bit of a cake-baking rampage. Looking at my calendar and seeing a birthday makes my ears perk up, like a giddy dog. A special cake was in order for September 19th. It was my significant eater's twenty-first birthday, as well as his two brothers (triplets). My close rapport with all of the boys, compelled me to bake a spectacular cake. I decided to go with my favorite yellow cake recipe (below) and chose a chocolate silk frosting, from Amy's Bread cookbook. My significant eater loves chocolate so I thought this frosting would be a nice treat. This cake is moist with sweet vanilla flavors permeating through eating compacted crumb. The chocolate frosting adds contrasting texture, taste and color appealing to the senses in my body. At first bite the words OOH and AHH rolled out of my mouth, almost reflexively.



At the end of a wonderful celebratory weekend, all I could think about was the warmth and sense fulfillment this cake stirred up inside—as if it literally took over my soul. But the boys could only think about one more piece of cake.

Amy's Bread Chocolate Silk Frosting

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 3/8 cups Confectioner's sugar
3/4 cup Cocoa powder
2 cups Unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 tspn Vanilla extract
1/8 tspn Kosher salt

Melt the chocolate chips in the top pan of a double broiler and set it aside to cool. In a separate bowl, sift together the confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder.
In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter at medium speed until it's very light but not too soft, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar mixture and continue to mix on low to medium-low speed until the sugar and cocoa have been well incorporated. Add the melted chocolate, vanilla, and salt and mix again on medium speed until everything is incorporated and the frosting is smooth and has a good spreading consistency, 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to over-mix it or the frosting will get too warm and runny. It should be smooth, glossy, and soft enough to spread but still hold a stiff peak.
The frosting can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container at room temperature, but it should be used within 3 days.

*from The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread

Figs

Yesterday I sat in an important meeting with some fellow interns and the California Fig Advisory Board. We sampled Black Mission figs (dried and fresh), dried Calimyrna figs, Mediterranean fig chutney and chocolate covered figs. The world of figs is beautiful, flowery and quite sweet. The fig industry means serious business and I am frank when I say that figs should be in everyones kitchen. This fruit, which looks like an inverted pink-colored flower when breaking through the skin, is fiber-filled and tastes like a rich honey confection.

Chocolate is just one ingredient, which beautifully compliments this amazing fruit. This dessert is absolutely mind-blowing! It is perfect for cocktail parties or for any day of the week.

Chocolate Covered Figs (recipe from California Fig Advisory Board):

4 whole California fresh figs with stems
Fine sea salt, as needed
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Wash and dry figs. Dust lightly with salt; set aside.
Measure chocolate chips into microwavable bowl. Microwave on High for 30 seconds and stir.
Microwave on High for 30 more seconds and stir until the chocolate is completely melted.
Holding the fig by the stem, dip in melted chocolate and set on wax paper-lined tray.
Let stand until chocolate is set.

Paper Hearts and a Box of Chocolate

Ah, I love this time of year. Everywhere I go, I'm reminded of Valentine's Day with chocolates stocked everywhere from coffee shops to convenient stores. Red and pink hearts are pasted on storefront windows and all I think is...does this day need to come? I know that when the clock strikes 12:00am on Febuary 15th, everything will change. Why can't every day be like the 28 days leading up to this occasion? I truly believe that days filled with paper hearts and a life full of chocolates would make for a better world...after all who doesn't like being tempted with assorted truffles?

I am absolutely dreading February 15th—not because I have a French exam—because the selection of chocolates will be minimal, the romantic jewelry commercials be gone and cut-out-hearts will be found only in kindergarten classrooms. Let's not forget that the only thing left in our red cardboard boxes will be a few chocolate caramel truffles (I save the best for last) surrounded by empty metallic candy wrappers .

Mark my words...If I own a restaurant or bakery one day, I won't mess with peoples emotions like this—A warm atmosphere, musique d'amour, heart-shaped linzer torte cookies and fantastic chocolate truffles are only a few of the temptations that will seduce my customers into returning for another spectacular culinary affair.

If you don't have a "valentine" this year, go buy yourself a box of chocolate. And if you do, remember that no one is making you share.

OREO®

When I think about the American staple for dessert, well, that is processed—and nestled in hermetic packages so that some four year old in the child's seat of a grocery cart can drool all over the outside without being able to open it—I think of Oreos. I guess we all tend to go "gaga" over these little chocolate and cream sandwiches...at least us Americans.
These perfect treats have the right amount of contrasting textures, with a crunchy chocolate cookie on either side of a thin layer of smooth cream filling. As much as I love the standard Oreo, I absolutely despise double stuffed. Too much cream is like an overstuffed pillow—miserably uncomfortable. Too much filling overpowers the cocoa taste of the outer cookie and throws off the well-balanced textures.
I've tried Oreo Cakesters, vanilla Oreos, mini Oreos, mint Oreos—the list must end there... because as long as Nabisco provides my local grocery store with standard Oreos, my taste buds and I aren't budging.

Now if you are a "cookies n' cream" ice cream fan...here's an easy ice cream cake recipe. In the name of Sandra Lee, this cake entails "semi-homemade cooking":

1 quart of cookies n' cream ice cream (semi-melted)**
1 chocolate cake mix
1 container of Cool Whip
9 X 13 pan

Bake chocolate cake. Let cool and freeze for a few hours (this enables you to easily spread the ice cream layer). When the cake is semi-frozen, pour (semi-melted) cookies n' cream ice cream over the cake—use a spatula spread it out. The amount of cake should be equivalent to the amount of ice cream. Cover with foil. Put in freezer over night. Take cake out of freezer, cover the cake with a thin layer of cool whip (like frosting). Add decorative writing if you wish and serve.

**if you wish to "make" the ice cream layer (instead of buying cookies n' cream ice cream), take vanilla ice cream and blend with Oreos. Be sure you don't let the ice cream melt completely.

Bon Appétit!!

Chocolat, the Film

I recently watched the 2001 film, Chocolat. The plot was brilliant in exceeding my expectations. A mother and daughter, after moving from place to place, set up a chocolatier in a small French village. Since Vianne, opened her store during Lent, the townspeople resented her for tempting them with sinful chocolate. The village begins falling apart, as they deprive themselves of Vianne's fine delicacies. Only when one estranged woman enters the chocolate shop, do others begin satiating their lustful desires. 

This spectacular film romanticizes the art of chocolate making through scenes in a traditional-style kitchen, images of delectable treats, and passionate characters.  

If you haven't seen Chocolat, you must! Just be sure to have a chocolate(y) treat nearby; you will be craving it throughout the film. 

MY FAVORITE

And the winner is... (drumroll)... POLKADOTS! This fine boutique cupcake bakery is conveniently located just blocks away from where I currently reside. When I first walked in  I felt as if I were walking into a Barbie dream house. The home-like architecture and pink wall colors eased my mind bringing my inner-child to my watery mouth, shaping it into a giant smile. I ordered a seemingly simple cupcake, "vanilla with chocolate icing" layered with mini chocolate chips.  The combinations of flavors and textures were anything but ordinary. It was absolutely transcending— moving me (and my tastebuds) to an imaginary world. I closed my eyes allowing all of my senses to wallow in bliss and all I could see were rows of these spectacular cupcakes. 

I have had my share of cupcakes. The local grocery store cupcakes are too commercialized with flavorless sugary icing putting my teeth through agony. Whole foods tries too hard to impress with colorful and outlandish icing designs. Maybe they are trying to compensate— but who's kidding who no pastry chef can can fool me. Sprinkles cupcakes are highly overrated; not to mention overweight with cake dense enough to sink a ship and frosting thicker than the molds dentists use to fit you for a mouth guard.

You know that gritty feeling you have in your mouth after you've been exposed to most icings or awful cake frosting? Now you can forget that. Polkadots icing is smooth, fluffy, and flavorful— just the way it should be. The cake is not too heavy nor too light, providing you with divine happiness with every bite. After years and years of searching for the ultimate cupcake, I have found the one. Tasting Polkadots for the first time was like seeing the city of Venice for the first time— it was like a dream. Lucky for you and me, Polkadots is no fantasy; it's reality.

This calls for a celebration...cupcakes anyone?!

Chocolat

I went to dinner with a couple of confidantes the other night. When a friend confessed "I don't like chocolate" my mind began to race, for I was truly perplexed. I couldn't help thinking, that she is lying. In all my life, I've met few people who dislike chocolate— or at least who say they do. I don't think it is even possible to detest this rich creamy treat. White, Milk, Bittersweet, Dark...the breeds of chocolate are endless. I understand if one does not enjoy the sweet buttery taste of white chocolate, but to discriminate against all types—ce n'est pas possible! 

For the past year dark-chocolate has been my favorite fixation. When my grandfather told me that chocolate with 60% cocoa or higher is "good for you" I began justifying my actions.

A few chocolate chips and fresh strawberry slices in plain yogurt, always satisfies my sweet tooth. Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate kisses— you can never go wrong with chocolate. 

I Scream For...GELATO

It's pretty warm in Texas and being that it's still Passover, I've  been craving chocolate ice cream— gelato. Dad and I went to Italy, on a "father-daughter" trip, and I can proudly say that we ate our way through the fabulous country. We were on a tour and from time to time we'd ditch the group to do a little exploring of our own. On our own time, we got a taste for the real Italy. Among all the beautiful churches and ancient ruins is a country filled with the most delectable food. In every city from Orvietto to Rome every corner you turn down lies a quaint gelato shop. After my first spoonful of bacio (chocolate with hazelnut) gelato I fell deeper in love with Italy. The rich nutty and cocoa flavors combined with the cool and creamy texture created a symphony in my mouth. Dad and I would eat gelato at least three times a day, but I could've eaten a lot more. In Venezia gelato tubs, are adorned with unique masks and decorations beautifying the frozen dessert. You know you're in an exquisite place, when even the ice cream shops are sparkling. 

If you get the chance to travel to Italy, forget dieting. Be sure to stop in every gelateria to see it's uniqueness and if you can't resist, try every flavor there is. 

Buon Appetito!