Fjak Sjokolade - 70% Mork Sjokolade and Alde Sider (bar) - June 10, 2023

 Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
70% Mork Sjokolade and Alde Sider
(70% Dark Chocolate and Alde Cider)
Good ++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 145 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Cider (bar) was made by small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway).

Founded by two women in 2015, the company offers a variety of single origin bars and chocolates with local Nordic flavors.

Today's chocolate with infused with Norwegian hard cider from Alde (Hardanger, Norway)--a region known for its apples, plums and cherries. The cacao used to make this bar was from Tanzania (Kilombero Valley).

Aroma notes for this Norwegian bar included: dark chocolate, diffuse fruit (apple juice), faint brown sugar, and even fainter sweet green botanical, almost floral.

This well-tempered bar broke with a snap, and had a smooth texture with a very mild tart fruit astringency.

This was a harmonious and well-executed blend of 70% dark chocolate and apple cider, with nuanced flavor notes. The relatively bold dark chocolate balanced the sweetness of the apple and the sugar in the dark chocolate base. The apple cider contributed fruit with gently undulating, pleasant apple flavors and balanced acidity.

I enjoyed the first few bites of this chocolate without any cheese. And then paired it with an aged cheddar cheese. A camembert (commonly paired with hard cider) or similar cheese might have worked too. However, the apple flavors in the cider were delicate and enjoyable enough that I might avoid very strong cheeses.

Maker's description: "bold and boozy"

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, dried apple* and Cider from Alde (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten.

Fjak Sjokolade - 45% Milk & Brown Cheese (bar) - June 9, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade 
45% - Milk and Brown Cheese (bar) 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .935 oz. (26.5 g.) / 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in total bar
Calories: 143.3 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

Today's 45% Milk and Brown Cheese (from Undredal, Norway) (bar) was from small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate maker Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway). 

Established by two women in 2015, this Norwegian maker offers a variety of single origin chocolates. Some (Nordic Collection) items are also infused local natural flavors--such as Norwegian brown cheese. (Other flavored bars include: apple cider, berries, reindeer moss and lingonberry, and Norwegian gingerbread.)

The cacao used to make today's Norwegian brown goat cheese* milk chocolate bar was from PISA (Haiti).

Aroma notes for this unique cheese bar included flavorful dark milk chocolate, diffuse fruit (sweet red berry) and a slight savory/salt note.

This uniquely Norwegian 45% milk chocolate was, texturally, a blend of smooth and very slightly crunchy (sugar/salt sparkles?)

The creamy dark chocolate with slightly milk-muted flavor tones made for a tasty milk chocolate. It was bold enough to retain smooth dark cocoa, red berry and very faint cedar notes. 

The brown goats cheese was mellow and mild and, along with a touch of sea salt, created a very harmonious blend with the chocolate and a very satisfying tasting experience--especially if you enjoy savory pairings with your chocolate. 

This chocolate was neither too sweet (thank you!) nor too salty.

Ingredients: Cocoa beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, milk powder*, brown goats cheese and sea salt (*Organic)

Allergen-related information: (Contains dairy.) Processed in a facility that handles nuts, dairy and gluten.

*Brunost or brown cheese is uniquely Norwegian. It's often eaten in thin slices, with bread or toast. It's made by heating whey (from cheese-making process) and milk, and has a slight caramelized flavor and "brown" hue.

Fjak Sjokolade - Brunost Karameller Med Sjokolade - June 8, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fjak Sjokolade
Brunost Karameller Med Sjokolade 
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total box of 8 pieces
Calories: 136 calories (estimate) in 2 pieces
Cost: $26.00 for 1 box of 8 caramels
Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

Today's Brunost Karameller (Brown Cheese Caramels and Milk Chocolate) confections were made by Fjak Sjokolade (Hardanger, Norway). 

Norwegian brown cheese* already has a bit of caramel flavor, so it seemed like a natural complement to a chocolate caramel in the hands of a skilled maker. (It was.)

These square caramels were a study in artful contradiction. Uniform but layered, harmonious yet complex. These milk chocolate caramels were silky smooth, yet also had a brief, very slightly granular (cheese) phase--that melted and morphed back to satin smooth. A bit of a magic trick.

Flavor notes: Sweet caramel and flavorful 45% milk chocolate. And the maker(s) successfully incorporated a third element: a balanced, very slightly savory note (brown cheese), without the end product being too sweet or salty. There's no need to over-season great, high-quality flavors. (Fjak used single origin cacao, and local dairy/Norwegian brown cheese products.)

These caramels were well executed, fun to try, and tasty. They were great by themselves. One or two of these rich caramels filled me up. They also would be interesting to try on a fruit and cheese plate, and possibly with other sweet and savory (cheese) pairings.

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cocoa beans*, sugar*, dry milk*, cocoa butter*), sugar*, cream*, butter*, brown cheese*, glucose, invert sugar, sea salt*, baking soda (*organic).

Allergen-related information: Allergens: lactose (contains dairy)

*Brown cheese is made by boiling whey (a liquid, cheese by-product) down to thick, sweet caramelized form. It is uniquely Norwegian, and is difficult to find elsewhere. It is often cut off a block, into thin slices, and served on bread/toast. It may be eaten as part of a breakfast sandwich of toast, brown cheese and jam, or as part of a snack.

Vosges - Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar) - June 7, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges IP, LLC
Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges website, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

Today's Parmesan Walnut and Fig 67% Cacao (bar) was created by Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, faint dried fruit, saltines (crackers) and nuts.

As with yesterday's Vosges 45% Cheddar and Apple chocolate bar, today's 67% aged Parmigiano Reggiano, California walnut and Turkish fig chocolate was smooth with a soft crunch. Particles of authentic cheese and dried fruit items were fully incorporated into a chocolate base.

Flavor notes included sweet dark chocolate, parmesan cheese, walnuts and dried fruit (figs). Very subtle spices (salt, pepper, peppercorns) rounded out this savory chocolate blend.

The complexity was enjoyable, flavors were well balanced and this chocolate was not too sweet (thank you!).

Hats off to Vosges for continuing to create new and wonderful flavor combinations, including a line of chocolates blended with cheeses (parmesan, cheddar, manchego, other). Some of these "cheese" bars also have fruits and/or nuts. 

I love sampling savory chocolate flavors, and creating chocolate and cheese pairings. Blends like this are hard to find.

Ingredients: Bittersweet chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), chocolate (unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla bean seeds), walnuts, dried figs, parmesan cheese (raw milk, rennet, salt enzymes), sea salt, pepper, pink peppercorns.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk, walnuts. "Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."

 

Vosges - Cheddar and Apple 45% Cacao (bar) - June 6, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Vosges IP, LLC
Cheddar and Apple 45% Cacao (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 140 calories in 1/3 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges website, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

Today's Cheddar and Apple 45% Cacao (bar) was created by Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, diffuse fruit(s), and subtle savory (cheese).

Flavor notes included: sweet milk chocolate (sweet cocoa), with fine particles of diffuse fruit (dried apple) and authentic (12-month aged Vermont) cheddar cheese. Subtle warm spices included: vanilla, cinnamon (and very faint (imagined) allspice).

Hats off to Vosges for creating chocolates blended with various cheeses (cheddar, manchego, parmesan, other). Some of these bars also have fruits and/or nuts. I love sampling savory chocolate flavors and creating chocolate and cheese pairings. 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, vanilla bean seeds), Cabot Cloth Bound Cheddar (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, annatto (if colored), dried apples (apples, sulfur dioxide), cinnamon.

Allergen-related information: Contains milk. "Processed on equipment that also processes milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts."

Honduran treats - Spiced banana licuado; Chocolate rice pudding; Mayan Coffee & Cacao cheese

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Homemade Honduran Chocolate items 

Spiced Chocolate Banana Licuado

with Honduran chocolate

Good + 

Chocolate and Cinnamon Rice Pudding

with Honduran chocolate

Good +

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Honduras Theme Week.

For the last day of this Central American theme week, I made Honduran rice pudding and spiced banana licuado (chilled banana smoothie with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) paired with Honduran chocolate. Combined with a slice of Mayan coffee and cacao cheese and sliced fruit, this was my idea of a proper dessert meal.

Mayan Coffee and Cocoa Fontal Cheese

The wedge of Go Board Mayan Coffee and Cocoa Fontal Cheese from the Schuman Cheese (Fairfield, NJ) had a faint spicy, mocha kick. And this cheese provided a great savory complement to the sweet, homemade sweet items above.

Ingredients: Fontal cheese (pasteurized cow's milk, cheese cultures, sea salt, enzymes), spices, cocoa, coffee, natural flavors, sweet potato, caramel color. 

Allergen-related information: "Contains milk...Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts and shares equipment with an egg ingredient."

Vosges - Manchego and Cherry Chocolate Bar - July 15, 2020

Chocolate of the Day: 

Vosges IP, LLC
Manchego and Cherry Chocolate Bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) in total bar
Calories: 420 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Vosges, online order

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Savory Theme Week. 

Today's Manchego and Cherry Chocolate Bar was from Vosges IP, LLC (Chicago, IL). Vosges founder, Katrina Markoff, has been an innovator when it comes to savory and exotic flavor inclusions. Her world travels and relationships with suppliers have continued to inspire new flavors.

Katrina founded Vosges in the late 1990s. (Vosges was one of the first premium brands to elevate sweet chocolate and savory bacon from county fair food into an art form.) Being a savory chocolate fan myself and having organized informal chocolate and cheese tastings many years ago, I was interested to read that Vosges might be launching a cheese-inspired series of chocolate bars this year (2020).

This 67% cacao bar had an aroma informed by authentic D.O.P.* 12-month aged Manchego cheese, tart Montmorency cherry fruit and chocolate--exactly what one might expect from the bar's title. 

Cheese and a bit of emulsifier gave this bar smooth, slightly oily melt with rich, smooth texture and a very slightly gummy mouthfeel with some tiny bits of slightly crunchy flavor inclusions (Was it cheese? Himalaya salt? cherries? It was hard to tell; but a few un-homogenized bits can help to layer flavors.)

The slightly buttery, nutty, salty Italian sheep's milk-based hard (Manchego) cheese, which shone in the aroma, was slightly less pronounced when chewed with a bite of chocolate. Although the cheese did mute the sweetness of the chocolate (thank you).

The combined flavor inclusions in this "proprietary bittersweet chocolate" resulted in a lingering almost honey-nutty finish with an occasional, faint squeak of cherry, and a slow receding parade of flavors. If I waited long enough I could detect a savory sparkle of cheese. (Does cheese sparkle? Well, yes, a good cheese does coat and please the palette in an exciting way.) And, as today's bar shows, the right chocolate and cheese can pair very well.

*Each country in the European Union (EU) has local food product designation guidelines. In Italy, D.O.P.  refers to a certification process that helps designate, protect and authenticate a food's origin and packaging in Italy. The literal translation in English is "Protected Designation of Origin." Manchego cheese, produced in La Mancha region of Spain (yes, home to Don Quixote), falls under these D.O.P. guidelines. 

Sweet 55 - Bonus Chocolates, Cowgirl Creamery for July 28, 2019

Chocolate(s) of the Day (Bonus Entry):

Sweet55

1. Eiger - milk chocolate
2. Eiger - dark chocolate
3. Heart - filled chocolate

Welcome to a bonus, evening entry, as part of Chocolate and Cowgirl Theme Week.


A surprise find of cheese from Cowgirl Creamery (Point Reyes Station, CA) this evening led to the decision to feature a cheese and fruit plate with three flavors of filled chocolates from Sweet55 (Half Moon Bay, CA).

Cowgirl Creamery

Cowgirl Creamery (Point Reyes Station, CA) specializes in making artisan, organic cheeses. While they do have a few chocolate items (high end chocolate milk, and an occasional panna cotta or dessert with chocolate), their wonderful local cheeses are a welcome addition to any chocolate and fruit platter.

And that includes Cowgirl Creamery's Clabbered* Cottage Cheese, made "the traditional way with pillowy non-fat curds tossed in a dressing of cultured cream and organic milk..."

This is not your bulk supermarket cottage cheese. It looks similar. But it was made with a shorter list of higher-quality ingredients and had a pleasingly authentic cheese flavor that big store brands lack.

The cheese was paired with fruit, nuts, gluten-free crackers and three types of filled chocolates.

Sweet55 Chocolates

We enjoyed the three creamy smooth chocolates from Sweet55, a Swiss-style chocolatier. All three paired nicely with fruit, nuts and cheese.

The first two of three chocolates on this cheese plate were milk chocolate and dark chocolate versions of the "Eiger"—filled with almond gianduja and orange caramel crunch. The company developed special 3D molds to accurately capture the shape of this impressive mountain in the Bernese Alps.**

The third chocolate was a pretty heart-shaped chocolate with a light filling.

*Clabbered cream is similar to creme fraiche and is added to the cottage cheese curds.

**The Eiger is a 3,967 meter (13,025 foot) mountain in Switzerland that draws climbers from around the world who are intent on reaching the top of this mountain.

Celebrity - Chocolaty Cherry Goat Cheese - June 18, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Celebrity Goat
Chocolaty Cherry Goat Cheese
Good
Weight: .25 oz. (7 g.) / 4.5 oz. (130 g.) in total package
Calories: 22 calories in 1/4 oz. taste
Cost: missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate, Cherry and Berry Theme Week.

Today's Chocolaty Cherry Goat Cheese was from Celebrity Goat (Canada goat milk).

What's that you say? Goat cheese? Think cherry and chocolate cheesecake, only slightly less sweet and a teensy bit cheesier.

This petite, plump cheese log was made with cocoa-colored, creamy goat cheese, chocolaty bits (cocoa, coconut oil, sweetener), Dalmatia cherry, and assorted other ingredients* and preservatives.

A few slices of this cheese would add visual interest to any cheese plate.

Ingredients: Pasteurized goat's milk, sugar, partially hydrogenated coconut oil, cocoa, water, fructose, corn syrup, cherries, modified corn starch, mono and di-glycerides, salt, potassium sorbate, soy lecithin, fruit pectin, citric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, microbial enzymes, bacterial culture, natural and artificial flavors.

Sargento - Sweet Balance Breaks - Dark Chocolate Cranberries - Aug. 21, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sargento Foods Inc.
Sweet Balance Breaks
Monterey Jack Cheese with Dried Cranberries and Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in 1 snack/container
Calories: 190 calories (estimate) in 1 container
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 package of three containers
Purchased from: Safeway, San Jose, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Berries Theme Week.

Chocolate, cheese and berries are great summer snack foods to enjoy together.

Today's Monterey Jack Natural Cheese with Dried Cranberries and Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts snack item was part of a line of "Sweet Balance Breaks" snacks (sold in 3-container packs) from Sargento Foods Inc. (Plymouth, WI)—a large producer and marketer of cheeses and now protein snacks.

The cranberries had just the right amount of tart sweet berry flavor and paired nicely with the dark chocolate covered peanuts. And the cheese helped balance out the sweetness and provided some savory protein/umami flavor.

Moondarra - Chocolate and Hazelnut Cream Cheese - March 19, 2015

Chocolate of the Day: 

Moondarra Cheese Pty Ltd
Chocolate and Hazelnut - Australian Cream Cheese
Good ++
Weight: 4.2 oz. (120 g.) in total package
Calories: 440 calories in 1 package
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate Surprise Week.

Sometimes chocolate and cheese can pair surprisingly well.
Today's Chocolate and Hazelnut Australian Cream Cheese offering from Moondarra Cheese Pty Ltd (Dandenong, Australia) was deliciously unique. (Moondarra produces a variety of flavored cream cheeses.)

This creamy and well balanced cream cheese was spreadable -- just sweet enough, not too sweet -- making it suitable for a variety of uses: dessert plate fare, tea sandwiches, as a toast spread, or just for eating by itself. The incorporation of small bits of chocolate and hazelnut yielded subtle chocolate flavor highlights and nut texture and flavor.

*Moondarra is an indigenous Koori word for a region in Gippsland, Australia, known for dairy products. 

3D Candies - Blue Cheese White Fig caramels - Nov. 23, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

3D Candies
Blue Cheese White Fig chocolate caramels
Good - Good +
Weight: .672 oz. (19 g.) / 3.36 oz. (95 g.) in total package
Calories: 100 calories (estimate) in 1 piece
Cost: $14.99 for 1 package of 5 pieces
Purchased from: Draegers, San Mateo, CA

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

3D Candies (Sacramento, CA) offers several caramels, and has developed successful relationships with wineries over time -- which likely leads to fun and interesting food and chocolate taste test research with wine.

Today's 3D Blue Cheese and White Fig, non-GMO, chocolate-covered caramels might pair well with some wines. (Perhaps port or sherry and some savory, roasted walnuts would make an interesting trio?)

Each of the five pieces in this package were decorated with a slice of dried white fig. I didn't taste any blue cheese flavor in these caramels. While some will revel in the generous sweet caramel filling, I might be tempted to add a few grains of sea sea salt or savory flavor to balance the sweetness.

As with any caramel or filled chocolate, make sure you buy a fresh package.

Lillie Belle Farms - Blue Cheese and Whiskey bars - July 27, 2014

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Lillie Belle Farms

1.) Whiskey In The Bar
Good ++
Weight: .5 oz. (14 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) for 1/5 bar
Cost: $8.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Lillie Belle Farms, Central Point, OR

2.) Stella Blue bar
Good +
Weight: .416 oz. (11.6 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) total bar
Calories: 63 calories (estimate) for 1/6 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Lillie Belle Farms, Central Point, OR

Today was Day #3 of Smoke and Savory Theme Week.

Both of today's Limited Edition bars from Lillie Belle Farms (Central Point, OR) were infused with relatively subtle flavor, given that Blue Cheese and Whiskey have a strong taste.

The "Whiskey In The Bar" dark chocolate (65%) bar was charred-oak smokey, dark and slightly bittersweet. I liked its relatively complex, barrel aged flavor.

The Lillie Belle Farms "Stella Blue" bar was made with bean-to-bar, (50%) milk chocolate. It had a slight savory taste to it; however, I think most people would be hard pressed to identify this flavor as blue cheese, from Lillie Belle next door neighbor Rogue Creamery (Central Point, OR).

Chocolate fudge, fig cheese - Aug. 28, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Original Chocolate Fudge Co.
Chocolate
Good
Weight: .5 oz. (14.1 g.) (estimate) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in total container
Calories: 75 calories (estimate) in 1/2 oz. serving
Cost: N/A
Purchased from: N/A

Another late summer day, another chocolate, fig and cheese plate. I could eat these all year long. Fresh figs are a rich, flavorful seasonal treat, and to have figs embedded in a small cylinder of Coach Farm goat's milk cheese -- all the better.

A tiny spoonful of smooth Chocolate fudge from the Original Gourmet Fudge Co. (Salem, NH) provided the chocolate-to-go, and to ground this tasting experience in solid sweet + savory territory. (Note: the company is now primarily focused on lollipops and not chocolate items.)

Chobani greek yogurt - August 26, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chobani, Inc.
Greek Yogurt - Bite - Raspberry with dark chocolate chips
Good
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in 1 yogurt / part of a larger 4-pack
Calories: 100 calories (plus cream cheese and crust for "shotglass cheesecake")
Cost: $3.49 for 1 4-pack of yogurt
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

A raspberry flavored Greek Yogurt "Bite" (small container) with flecks of dark chocolate chips might be healthier than ice cream, but I probably downgraded the health benefits a bit by mixing this yogurt with some cream cheese. I poured this cheesecake-like filling over a ground nut (almond, pecan, walnut and date) crust -- to make shotglass and miniature ersatz cheesecakes.

I also made a similar pineapple cheesecake with Chobani's pineapple and caramel flavored Bite yogurt.

Neither one was as rich as a full fat New York style cheesecake, but they were tasty all the same. And, small portion sizes work well for me (and my test kitchen).

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

Mole sauce cheese plate - August 25, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Chatfield's (PANOS Brands)
All Natural Cocoa Powder
Good - Good +
Weight: 1 Tablespoon (4 g.) / 10 oz. (283 g.) in 1 container
Calories: 20 calories in 1 Tablespoon
Cost: N/A
Purchased from: N/A

I was inspired by a chicken and mole sauce dish last night. So, I made my own savory mole sauce at home this afternoon, using unsweetened (and alkaline free) Chatfield's Cocoa Powder (Manufactured for Panos Brands, Saddle Brook, NJ).

Mole typically is a mix of many flavors. I used, for example, many types of fresh, dehydrated and ground chiles in this sauce (including sweet pepper, ancho, chipotle and red chiles); smoked and garlic salts; a bit of diced onion and roasted garlic; sesame and pumpkin seeds; almonds; a dab of quince paste for sweetness; a dash of fresh tomato salsa; thyme, and other herbs and spices.

This spicy mound of dark sauce was a great accompaniment to small cubes of bbq spiced cheddar, fresh avocado pieces, fresh sweet peppers, carrots, and other cheeses.

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

Mole burrito - Aug. 24, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Fiesta del Mar
Mole Burrito
Good + - Very Good
Weight: unknown
Calories: unknown
Cost: $12.95 for 1 plate
Purchased from: Fiesta del Mar, Mountain View, CA

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

Not all chocolates are sweet. Mole sauce is a dark, flavorful, savory sauce made with ground chiles, herbs, nuts, seeds, and unsweetened chocolate. It is particularly delicious served atop vegetables or chicken, and is often served with cheese (queso).

This evening I enjoyed a mole burrito plate at a favorite local restaurant, Fiesta del Mar (Mountain View, CA). I had a similar dish as few years ago with chicken and black beans, and this dish was a variant on this theme. The rich sauce was perfect with the chunks of white meat chicken, melted cheese, and a handful of thin slivers of fresh onion. The raspberry margarita on the side provided some sweetness.

Albatross Fudge - August 22, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Dude Sweet Chocolate
Albatross Fudge
Good - Good +
Weight: .7 oz. (19.8 g.) / 5.5 oz. (156 g.) total box/package
Calories: 105 calories (estimate)
Cost: $12.00
Purchased from: Dude Sweet Chocolate, Dallas, TX

Certain savory and sweet foods, such as cheese and chocolate, seem to inspire cravings. So, I thought, why not combine the two. Today marked the beginning of Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week.

To kick off the week, I tried a few slices of Albatross Fudge, a sweetened condensed milk fudge with Valrhona African "Abinaio" 85% dark chocolate, Rogue Creamery (dehydrated) Blue Heaven blue cheese, and sea salt, as part of a fruit and cheese plate. This dense fudge (described as "very much a foodies chocolate") was created by the clever people at Dude Sweet Chocolate (Dallas, TX). (The name "Albatross Fudge" was inspired by a Monty Python (comedy) sketch.)

Blue cheese offers a distinct salty, acidic, flavorful bite that complements chocolate nicely if the blend is well crafted. And Rogue Creamery (Central Point, OR) offers some great blue, and other, cheeses as a starting point. (Rogue Creamery's next door neighbor, Lillie Belle Farms, makes a blue cheese (chocolate) truffle, which I had the chance to re-taste last month.) In both today's Dude Sweet Chocolate fudge, and Lillie Belle's truffle, the combined flavors were fun and intriguing.

Pairing suggestions from the Dude Sweet Chocolate website include:
"Great as a griddled sandwich and cappuccino as a dessert, pinot noir, chardonnay"

ChocolateBet: July 26, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Zotter
Cheese-Walnuts-Grapes bar
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 2.47 oz. (70 grams)
Calories: 370 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.48 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Fog City News, in San Francisco, CA

The English translation printed on the label of this organic and fair trade Cheese, Walnuts and Grapes bar (from Austria) stated the bar contained "Milk Chocolate filled with cheese cream." This unusual combination -- perhaps more commonly associated with a salad than a chocolate bar -- was great.

Filling ingredients include: cheese, raisins, almonds, apple balsamic vinegar, Grappa, salt and chili. Works for me. I ate this bar for lunch with a little lettuce and chicken on the side.

And, yes, if I had known about this bar earlier, I probably would have included it in "Chocolate and Cheese Theme Week" awhile back.

ChocolateBet: April 11, 2008

Chocolate of the Day:

1 brownie
Arrowhead Mills brownie mix + Lucerne Cream Cheese + other
= home-baked cream cheese brownies
Very Good
Wt: ~4 oz.
Calories: Probably a lot (300?)
Cost: Total estim. cost for ingreds. = ~$10.00
Purchased from: Piazzas, in Palo Alto + Safeway in Palo Alto, CA

This is Day #8 of eating items that have both chocolate and cheese in them, and this concludes Chocolate and Cheese Week on the blog.

It's on to thinking about the next "theme." I am contemplating - chocolate cats and dogs, chocolate mice, chocolate items of the old West, chocolate and meat (not as bad as it sounds - I think), chocolate cars and trucks, and many more.