Monday, November 28, 2011

ChocolateBet: December 1, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

1 bar
thinkThin Products
thinkThin bites - Cookies and Cream
OK
Weight: .088 oz. (2.5 g.) - 1 bite / 4.4 oz. (125 g.) total box/package
Calories: 10 calories
Cost: $5.69 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This thinkThin Cookies and Cream "portion control" snack (100 calorie bar) is, loosely speaking, a gluten-free cookie. The picture of the cookies on the box is reminiscent of small Oreo brand chocolate sandwich cookies. The gluten-free bar inside the wrapper is covered with a white chocolate-like coating, and the filling is chocolatey-dark -- more similar to an inside out chocolate sandwich cookie. The maltitol may help hold sugar and calories down, but the taste takes some getting used to. I think I'd prefer just a little less sweetener overall.

Note: Due to travel and lack of Internet connectivity this week (which usually results in delays in posting), I'm trying something new: posting 2-3 planned entries in advance. (I updated this post after I returned home.)

ChocolateBet: November 30, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

6 cookies
Home Free
mini crunchy chocolate chocolate chip cookies
Good+
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.)/ 5 oz. (143 g.) in total box
Calories: 130 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.29 total box
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today is Day #6 of Chocolate and Gluten-free Cookie Theme Week.
These Gluten Free, Nut Free cookies are from Home Free.

As billed, these miniature, whole grain cookies where crunchy, without being too crumbly, and were quite good. The only note of caution: these contain gluten-free oat flour -- which some gluten-free diets can accommodate and others can't.

Note: Because I will be traveling and/or may not have regular Internet communications, I am posting 2-3 day's worth of planned chocolates-of-the-day in advance. (I updated this review after returning home.)


ChocolateBet: November 29, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Love Cookies - Double Chocolate
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.8 oz. (52 g.)/5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories for 4 small cookies
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos (store closing sale), in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
Yesterday I sampled the Chocolate Chip version of these wheat- and gluten-free cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers. I liked these a little bit better, but these Double Chocolate Love Cookies were good too. These were crunchy and a bit crumbly. Thumbs up for Mary's philosophy of adding healthy and hearty seeds and grains to their gluten-free crackers and cookies.

Due to travel this week and possible lack of Internet availability, I am posting this planned entry "in advance" -- or, I'm trying to perfect the art of chocolate time travel.

Note: I completed this review during my trip and updated this post after returning.

ChocolateBet: November 28, 2011


Chocolate of the Day:

4 cookies
Mary's Gone Crackers
Chocolate Chip Love Cookies
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: .9 oz. (26 g.)/ 5.5 oz. (155 g.) total box
Calories: 260 calories
Cost: $ lost info
Purchased from: Andronicos, Palo Alto, CA (closed now)

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.
These Organic, Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies from Mary's Gone Crackers (based in Gridley, CA) were crunchy and satisfying. When I opened the inner wrapping (for one of two individually-wrapped bags), I thought I smelled and tasted molasses, and then a faint flavor of sweet coconut.

Mary's also offers a line of gluten-free crackers that are made from whole grains and seeds and that have a very hearty taste and texture that I've enjoyed with cheeses. Like the crackers, I felt like I was enjoying cookies that were healthy, without any compromise in taste, and without the pasty mouth-feel that sometimes accompanies gluten-free flour substitute mixes.

ChocolateBet: November 27, 2011


Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
The Kallari Chocolate Project
(Produced at Ecuatoriana de Chocolates SA)
1.) 75% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good+
2.) 85% cacao - single source organic chocolate bar - Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)
Calories: 148 calories (estimate)
Cost: N/A - samples (thank you Sunita)
Purchased from: N/A samples from The Chocolate Garage, Palo Alto, CA

Today I sampled two dark (one 75% cacao and one 85% cacao), single source, organic chocolate bars, that were produced in Ecuador. The first, the 75% bar, was dark and smooth, with a pleasing vanilla flavor taste -- good for those that like vanilla with their chocolate, maybe not as good for those who don't. The second, the 85% bar had a uniformly deep, dark flavor, but without much flavor arc (that is a define-able and enjoyable beginning, middle and end/finish).

Because today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week, I also melted some of the 75% bar -- into which I dipped gluten-free, Italian-style Pignoli (Pine Nut) cookies with a lovely, warm almond scent and taste. I think these flavors paired relatively well with the vanilla notes in the chocolate.
This little plate of 3 small dipping cookies disappeared in a hurry.




Friday, November 25, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 25, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

1 oz.
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier
Passion Fruit and Tangerine Bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.)/ 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $ Lost info
Purchased from: Lost info


I'm interested in combinations of chocolate and passion fruit. It's hard to make this mixture work. This Passion Fruit and Tangerine bar from B.T. McElrath (Minneapolis, MN) was a good attempt, but swirling white and dark chocolate together confused my taste buds. White chocolate is a good base to let citrus flavors shine through; a heavier solid base of dark chocolate might have wiped out the fruit flavors. However, the two chocolates (and two fruits) might have been one flavor too many.


Change of Subject: Cookies Anyone?
Since today was also Day #1 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Week, I took the rest of this bar and cut it up into chunks -- to mix into a gluten-free cookie mix, and added some tangerine olive oil to boost the citrus/fruit flavor. The result: some interesting tasting cookies, studded with passion fruit-tangerine chocolate chunks. There must be an infinite number of variations on chocolate chip/chunk cookies.

My apologies to purists, but recycling chocolate bars to make cookies and chocolate fondue/sauce is a great way to experiment and prevent chocolate from going to waste.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 24, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Organic Peanut Butter Bonbon bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 250 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.50 total bar
Purchased from: Vosges.com; Chicago, IL

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S. and to those who celebrate by enjoying a large meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and, oddly, very little chocolate. I had planned to make a Kahlua pecan pie, or a chocolate walnut pie, but ran out of time.

Instead, before spending time with family, I gave thanks for a world full of chocolate -- and showed further gratitude by trying a Vosges Organic Peanut Butter (45% cacao) bar three different ways: 1.) by itself; 2.) with some sliced, fresh banana; and 3.) as part of a bacon and lettuce sandwich on toasted multigrain (gluten-free) bread.

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 23, 2011


Chocolate of the Day:

4 pieces
Christopher Michael Chocolatier
Piggy Caramels in Dark Chocolate
Very Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) (estimate) / 3 oz. (84.9 g.) package/box of 6 pieces (estimate)
Calories: 300 calories (estimate)
Cost: $10.00
Purchased from: Christopher Michael Chocolatier

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Doth not the name "Piggy Caramel" speak for itself? Well, I'll spell it out anyway. These were bacon caramels covered in dark chocolate; and while I normally like pairing bacon with a deep milk chocolate, these darker versions were just fine, with small flecks of bacon embedded in a caramel center.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 22, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1.) Norcal Gourmet LLC (see also Truffili di Pelligrini)
Dark Chocolate Mousse Truffles - with Himalayan Sea Salt
1 piece
Good
Weight: .35 oz. (10 g.)/ 1.76 oz. (50 g.) total package of 5 pieces
Calories: 60 calories
Cost: $ (lost info)
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

These Dark Chocolate Mousse Truffles were sprinkled with pink Himalayan sea salt. They had a smooth chocolate filling with a thin wafer layer at the base of the truffle. I ate around the wafer layer (to avoid possible wheat ingredients), and replaced with a layer of bacon lollipop. Here's where the bacon comes in today...

2.) Das Foods LLC
Maple Bacon Lollipop(s)
2 lollipops
Good
Weight: .6 oz. (16 g.) for two
Calories: 50 calories
Purchased from: Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA

These maple-based lollipops, from Das Foods LLC, had tiny, visible flecks of bacon embedded in them, and were not bad -- a refreshing change from fruit flavored 'pops -- and much more appealing than the suckers with the (gummy and real) bugs/worms in them.

3.) Accoutrements
"Bacon" Breakfast Floss
1 foot piece
Weight: N/A
Calories: N/A
Purchased from: Fremont Diner, Sonoma, CA

There was no real bacon taste that I could detect when I used this Bacon floss, but the 3-piece Breakfast Floss set (Waffles, Bacon, and Coffee) was a clever offering.





Monday, November 21, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 21, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

2/3 bar
Christopher Michael
Sizzling Bacon Bar
Weight: 1.848 oz. (52.8 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) total bar
Calories: 277 calories
Cost: $7.00 total bar
Purchased from: Christopher Michael, Newport Beach, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

This Sizzling Bacon Bar -- made with milk chocolate, bacon, popping candy and sea salt -- from Christopher Michael (from Newport Beach, CA) was great. Nicely balanced bacon, milk chocolate and salt flavors. There was no sign of the popping candy -- that was to supply the "sizzling" part, but I didn't miss it that much.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 20, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
Xocolatl de David
Bacon + Chocolate bar
Very Good
Weight: 1.1 oz. (31 g.) / 2.2 oz. (62 g.) total bar
Calories: 159 calories (estimate)
Cost: $8.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Xocolatl de David (Portland, Oregon) makes several interesting bars -- among them, this Bacon + Chocolate bar, made with 72% Cacao from Ecuador.  You could see identifiable pieces of bacon, with a recognizable bacon bite -- not too fatty, not too dry and chewy. Close to just right. The chocolate was quite good, with a very faint nutty taste. (Although my preference with bacon would be a deep milk with just a hint of salt.) Often cacao with "nutty" flavor comes from Ecuador and Peru.




Saturday, November 19, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 19, 2011


Chocolate of the Day:

3 pieces
Snake and Butterfly
Maple and Bacon Caramels
Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total package of 4 pieces (estimate)
Calories: 225 calories (estimate)
Cost: $6.00 total package of 4 pieces
Purchased from: Snake and Butterfly, Campbell, CA (at Chocolate Salon, in Francisco, CA)

These chocolate coated caramels from bean-to-bar chocolate maker Snake and Butterfly (Campbell, CA) had serious tiny hunks of bacon and genuine maple syrup and butter flavor -- in short, what I want to experience in confections and truffles with fun add-in ingredients.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Friday, November 18, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 18, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Vosges
Mo's Uncured Bacon Caramel Toffee
Very Good
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.) total box/package
Calories: 750 calories
Cost: $12.00 total box/package (+ any shipping)
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

Was it really "crunchy, smoky, sweet love"? Maybe. I ate a whole stack of Mo's Uncured Bacon Caramel Toffee, from Vosges (Chicago), for dinner.

The little pile of 45% deep milk chocolate squares with hickory smoked uncured bacon and alderwood smoked salt quickly disappeared. These sweet and savory crunchy squares could be eaten for breakfast or lunch as well -- although I recommend adding some vegetables and fruit to this chocolate bacon entree/dessert.

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 17, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1/3 bar
zotter
Coffee-Plum with Caramelised Bacon (bar)
Good - Good+
Weight: .81 oz. (23.1 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 121 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.95 total bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

"What is this odd riot of different flavors going on in my mouth?" I asked myself after the first bite of this Coffee-Plum bar with bacon (also with hazelnuts, wine, rum and spices).

I found myself coming back to this filled, "hand scooped" bar from zotter (Austria), and re-tasting it throughout the evening. It's getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas in the U.S., and perhaps this bar was inspired by a bit of holiday spiced plum fruitcake. I couldn't taste any bacon; however, the filling was pretty finely ground, so it was difficult to spot any one flavor ingredient.

I loved the singing plum wearing the bacon jacket on the label.

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 16, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 pig
Vosges Haut Chocolat
Flying Chocolate Pig
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) total package
Calories: 180 calories
Cost: $8.00
Purchased from: Vosges, Chicago, IL

I've been planning a date with this Vosges pig for awhile. Who wouldn't want to eat a flying chocolate pig with bacon?

Today was also an eat-breakfast-for-dinner day -- so the pig (made with hickory smoked uncured) bacon (and alderwood smoked salt) landed on a short stack of Van's blueberry (gluten free) waffles and fresh blueberries.

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Bacon Theme Week.


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 15, 2011


Chocolate of the Day:

1 package
Sonoma Chocolatiers
Sonoma Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.3 oz. (36 g.) 1 package
Calories: 195 calories
Cost: N/A - gift
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

The Sonoma Bar (from Sonoma Chocolatiers, based in Sebastopol, CA) was shaped like a cluster of grapes -- grapes made from 62% Scharffen Berger chocolate that is. Pressed into the back of said grapes: organic almonds, organic walnuts, organic dried apricots and organic dried cherries -- but no blueberries.

So, I ate this bar with two other fruit and nut mixes that did have blueberries. One of these mixes contained edamame, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and was infused with blueberry, pomegranate and strawberry.

Thank you to Alec for donating this bar to Chocolate Banquet.


Monday, November 14, 2011

ChocolateBet: November 14, 2011

Chocolate of the Day:

1 oz.
Saratoga Chocolates
Blueberry-tini
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 5 oz. (142 g.) total tin/container
Calories: 139 calories (estimate)
Cost: $12.00 total container/tin
Purchased from: Saratoga Chocolates, Saratoga, CA

Yesterday I attended the International Chocolate Salon in San Francisco, and found a great last minute addition for Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week, at the Saratoga Chocolates table (shown).

What is a Blueberry-tini you ask?  Answer: dried blueberries infused with "Stoly's" blueberry vodka, and then enrobed in dark chocolate. The tiny Blueberry-tini clusters in this tin represented one of the best chocolate and blueberry combinations I've tried. The taste of vodka was very faint, but pleasant. These unique chocolates were, I was told, fairly time-consuming to make, due to several steps -- the drying, the infusing, the drying again, the enrobing, etc. Well, I think it was worth it. (Easy for me to say; eating them was no trouble at all.)

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Blueberries Theme Week.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

SF Chocolate Salon, Nov. 13, 2011

International Chocolate Salon 
Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA

One of the pleasures of living close to a major city like San Francisco, is being able to attend the Chocolate Salons that are held here.  This year's event was another opportunity to meet chocolate makers and chocolatiers from the SF Bay Area and beyond.

We had fun talking with Salon newcomer Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco); Nat from Madre Chocolate (on his way back to Hawaii); Art Pollard from Amano; and a few different toffee and brittle makers who were incorporating chocolate and cacao nibs into their offerings.

Saratoga Chocolates (Saratoga, CA) was featuring a Blueberry-tini item that will be tomorrow's entry -- just in time to be included in Chocolate and Blueberry Theme Week.

I also stocked up on a chocolate and bacon caramel item from Snake and Butterfly (Santa Clara, CA) for this week's bacon theme week, that will start in a 2-3 days.

And, I'm looking forward to writing about the Thai Basil chocolates from Jade Chocolates (Burlingame/San Francisco, CA), and other chocolates too numerous to list here.

We also had fun meeting a few winemakers and doing some impromptu tasting. The SLO crew from San Luis Obispo were pouring their "Sexual Chocolate" red blend. (Their mascot, a palm-sized turtle named Walter, was taking a nap in his crate by the time we reached their table.) It was a great opportunity to talk with some creative makers with great flavors who may not have a storefront.


ChocolateBet: November 13, 2011

Chocolate of the Day: 

1.05 oz. serving
Corfias Chocolats Fins
Bleuets sauvages - Wild blueberries
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.05 oz. (30 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g.) total package
Calories: 150 calories (estimate)
Cost: $4.99 total package
Purchased from: airport shop, Dorval airport, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Today's almost irridescent, dark chocolate-coated St-Jean blueberries (from Corfins Chocolats Fins), came from up north in Quebec. If they spoke a language, it would almost certainly be French.

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Blueberry Theme Week.

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