ChocolateBet: December 6, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1/2 bar
B.T. McElrath Chocolatier, Inc.
Prairie Dog Chocolate Bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.)/3.0 oz. (85 g.) total bar
Calories: 220 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $4.69
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Nut Theme Week (2009). I was inspired to try B.T. McElrath's Prairie Dog (40% milk) chocolate bar with almonds, after enjoying their Salty Dog (70% dark) chocolate bar. Both bars contain quality ingredients, butter toffee pieces, and nuts; but the Salty Dog bar won.

Cold weather (in California that means it is in the low 40s (F.) today, and the threat of rain, forced me inside (yes, like a prairie dog), giving me an opportunity to play chocolate mad scientist. A portion of this bar was eaten plain, and a portion was heated with leftover pecan pie and coffee liqueur. All that remains of the latter experiment in sugar and nut overload is an empty plate (see image) and fork.

ChocolateBet: December 5, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 package (2 cups)
Reese's (Hershey)
Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Lovers (cups)
Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 220 for 2 cups
Cost: $0.69 (sale)
Purchased from: Walgreens, in Palo Alto, CA

It was Day #2 of another Chocolate and Nut Theme Week.

Choosing a theme week to celebrate chocolate + nuts was predictable as I adore this combination. Reese's has made multiple versions of their classic peanut butter cups; and I have tried to stay up on the latest. A smooth peanut butter colored frosting tops these milk chocolate cups.

ChocolateBet: December 4, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

6 pieces
Royal Family Food Co., Ltd.
Mochi Choco Ball(s)
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 3.8 oz. (108 g.) in 1 box
Calories: 348 calories (if I've translated the label correctly)
Cost: $1.25 for 1 box of 6 pcs.
Purchased from: a store in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA

Not being able to eat wheat, several years ago I found mochi (made from rice) products to be a possible source of chocolate items. These chocolate-coated mochi balls were filled with peanut jam. The Taiwan-based company, Royal Family, lists ISO 2200 and HACCP on their label, indicating that they follow certain quality practices. Perhaps these good practices contributed to a great shelf life. These chocolates were still quite good, despite the fact that I bought them last year (2008).

Speaking of lasting traditions, I decided to launch my second (perhaps annual) Chocolate & Nut Theme Week today. The peanut jam inspired me.

Note: My apologies to the small store in Chinatown that I can't mention by name (due to incomplete information on the store receipt).

ChocolateBet: December 3, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 bar
Splendid Chocolates
Milk Chocolate with Eggnog bar
Good
Weight: 2.3 oz. (65 g.) in 1 total bar
Calories: 300 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $
Purchased from: ?

I thought this red, gold and green, festively wrapped, eggnog bar would be fun for the holiday season. However, the very sweet white filling inside this bar from Canada tasted more like eggnot than eggnog. Chocolate often obscures more subtle flavors, such as spices. So I sprinkled some freshly grated nutmeg on this bar; and it helped conjure up holiday memories of eggnog and baked custard.

ChocolateBet: December 2, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

14 pieces
Hammond's
Peppermint Jewels
Very Good
Weight: 2.82 oz. (80 g.)/8 oz. (226 g.) in total bag
Calories: 360 calories in 14 pcs. (2 servings)
Cost: $7.50 for 1 bag
Purchased from: Gourmet Works of Los Altos; in downtown Los Altos, CA

This cheery bag of peppermint stick candy "jewels" coated with dark chocolate, from Hammond's Candies, was tied up with a small white bow on top, making it gift-worthy. In the spirit of holiday giving, I'll share these chocolate jewels with others.

I considered making a piece of edible jewel-ry with these pieces; but my dining room table was covered with half-manifested projects already. A quick web search revealed a few artisans already working in chocolate, including Hatzidakis Manos (see Chocolate Jewels profile on Facebook).

ChocolateBet: December 1, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 shoe
Barbie - Dylan's Candy Bar (Distrib. by Galerie)
Good
Weight: .74 oz. (21 g.) for 1 shoe/1.48 oz. (42 g.) total box
Calories: 120 calories for 1 shoe
Cost: $16.00 for 1 pair/1 box
Purchased from: Neiman Marcus, in San Francisco, CA

"Would you like the left shoe, or the right shoe?" I asked my daughter. Eating a chocsimile of a famous make-believe doll's shoe. I'm not sure how we got here, but it's fun, isn't it. All except the price. Ouch. At $16.00, girlish fantasy doesn't come cheap. The chocolate was OK, but the hot pink and black packaging was very snazzy, very hip Barbie.

ChocolateBet: November 30, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
3 pieces
Bergen Marzipan & Chocolate Inc.
Brandy Pralines
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: 1.5 oz. (43 g.)/9 oz. (254 g.) in total box of 18
Calories: 190 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $5.99 for box of 18
Purchased from: TJ Maxx, in San Francisco, CA

These round truffle-shaped chocolates, rolled in chopped nuts, had a strong almond flavor (which I liked). The ingredient list included "toasted almond," but not specifically marzipan. However, I'm guessing from the company's name (Bergen Marzipan & Chocolate) that there may have been a touch of extra almond paste or flavoring involved as well. In any case, nicely done.