Dark chocolate is terrific, too much sugar is not.  For true chocolate lovers it's about the deep, dark, rich flavors of the cocoa bean that elevates this food/fruit to a higher level.  When other ingredients such as milk, sugar, vanilla interfere or overtake the chocolate's flavor notes it can be a disappointment.  So for example when making chocolate pudding why not use less sugar and milk and go for your favorite dark chocolate in a bar along with cocoa (NOT Dutch processed!)?  Your end result will please the chocolate lover in everyone!

Age of Aquarius?  Well, it's the time of Aquarius anyway so happy birthday to all the Water Bearers!  Super Bowl is this weekend thus party and menu planning are in full swing and folks are just happy to see, hopefully, that the worst of winter is over and Spring will soon be in the air.  Any event to celebrate with  food and friends is good by me and I look forward to celebrating my birth 57 years ago with those close to me. I'll feed my soul and tummy and be thankful I'm still here to do that.
I wish everyone a warm and happy February 2012!

MJ 

XXXOOO

Welcome 2012!  A new year feels really good especially when the previous was so devious.  Maintaining a positive, happy, fun outlook is essential to not just surviving but flourishing, if that's possible in this economic environment.  So many of us are struggling each day and in hoping that this year is kinder to all may I say, "Don't forget to eat your dark chocolate."

Winter is almost officially here but the temps have been wintry for weeks now.  Christmas is just two weeks away and there is only one full weekend between us and Christmas day.  So if you haven't finished your shopping here's an idea; Relax.  That's right, relax and enjoy the holidays and everything you choose to celebrate this wonderful time of year.  Don't let commercial interests drive you to exhaustion and stress but rather take your time, do only what YOU feel is important and simplify the gift giving to something manageable.  Maybe combine your love of making cookies or some other treat or condiment with the chore of coming up with gifts for several people you can delight with something you made by hand.  Everyone around you will recieve the gift of a calmer, happier and funner person.  Merry Christmas!  Happy Hannukah!  Happy Kwanza!  Happy Solstice!

I'm feeling the need to list the ingredients of our fine dark Belgain chocolate fondue.  This is because I saw a friend's new website (I'll provide the link when the site is ready) and am going to strongly suggest she provide an ingredient list for her product.  So why haven't I?!  No good reason so here it is!
Cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, soya lecithin,  natural vanilla minimum cocoa 59.9%.

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Wow if ever I needed something warm and comforting it's tonight!  Super cold in Spokane WA and it isn't even Winter yet.  It's going to be a long one at this rate but keeping active and eating well will help with the Winter Blahs.  Next week is Thanksgiving and I'll be making my dark chocolate fudge with toasted nuts for sure.
I haven't come up with a chocolate stuffing for the turkey yet but a bit in the gravy is a good little addition for color, texture and taste.  Some nice red wine, or white if you prefer and you're ready to take on the holidays and the cold.