Chocolate has gotten a bad rap over the years, but it's starting to win favor again in the way of dark chocolate. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and if you want to give a "heart healthy" gift this year, reach for the dark chocolate candy instead of the milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is good for the heart and one piece a day isn't a bad thing (although, my dark chocolate Kisses have somehow mysteriously disappeared over the past week...hmmm).
So how do I like my dark chocolate? The question should be: how do I NOT like my dark chocolate? One of my favorite dark chocolate treats is a dark chocolate mocha that I found at a local coffee house (the iced version tastes delicious too).
I know that some of you milk chocolate fans can't bear to part ways for its more bitter predecessor. Some of my favorite dark chocolate delicacies include: Lindt's dark chocolate truffles and Hershey's special dark chocolate. Even the Mars Company has jumped on the bandwagon (I love their peanut dark chocolate M&Ms) See's Candies also makes an amazing dark chocolate chip truffle (you only need one to satisfy your dark chocolate craving).
Like a fine wine, dark chocolate is definitely an acquired taste and it's definitely a taste that has acquired me.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Salt Tasting Room, Vancouver, BC - The Ultimate Foodie Experience
I recently visited beautiful British Columbia last month. After my ultimate foodie experience at the Salt Tasting Room (www.salttastingroom.com) in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), I announced to my friends that I could die a happy woman now.
The Salt Tasting Room combined an array of gourmet cheeses, meats and condiments and their expert wait staff paired these delectable eats with an amazing flight of wine. When our server suggested a rose with the flight, I was hesitant at first. I'm a die-hard red wine girl and I kept thinking a sweet White Zinfandel. The Vie was a far cry from White Zinfandel. It tasted like a non-fizzy dry French Champagne and it was incredible. The Vie (a native wine from British Columbia) was actually my favorite out of the wine flight. My tastebuds were also tantalized with some incredible French cheeses like petit agour (which tasted like a soft Brie/bleu cheese). I also nibbled on their delicious bread topped with a sweet Italian mustard (made out of apricots) and a delicious chutney.
If you travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, I highly recommend checking out this non-descript, chic tasting room nestled in the Gastown district. The Salt Tasting Room is really a foodie's dream and well worth the $15 price (Canadian) for their incredible wine flights (they give you far more than a taste and I sampled an amazing Pinot Noir as well).
The Salt Tasting Room combined an array of gourmet cheeses, meats and condiments and their expert wait staff paired these delectable eats with an amazing flight of wine. When our server suggested a rose with the flight, I was hesitant at first. I'm a die-hard red wine girl and I kept thinking a sweet White Zinfandel. The Vie was a far cry from White Zinfandel. It tasted like a non-fizzy dry French Champagne and it was incredible. The Vie (a native wine from British Columbia) was actually my favorite out of the wine flight. My tastebuds were also tantalized with some incredible French cheeses like petit agour (which tasted like a soft Brie/bleu cheese). I also nibbled on their delicious bread topped with a sweet Italian mustard (made out of apricots) and a delicious chutney.
If you travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, I highly recommend checking out this non-descript, chic tasting room nestled in the Gastown district. The Salt Tasting Room is really a foodie's dream and well worth the $15 price (Canadian) for their incredible wine flights (they give you far more than a taste and I sampled an amazing Pinot Noir as well).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Putting the Wow in Watermelon--The Health Benefits of that Juicy Summer Fruit
I remember eating a lot of watermelon when I was younger. Watermelon signified the start of the summer season, bbqs and long, lazy summer evenings.
I grew up eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and was lucky that my parents grew a lot of fresh vegetables. Watermelon has always been one of my favorite summer fruits.
Not only is watermelon a juicy, sweet summer fruit (especially when served chilled). Watermelon has high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and lycopene. Lycopene is found in all red fruits and is an anti-oxidant (and can help prevent cancer).
The next time you bite into a big, juicy piece of watermelon remember the additional health benefits you're getting as you eat this delicious summer fruit.
I grew up eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and was lucky that my parents grew a lot of fresh vegetables. Watermelon has always been one of my favorite summer fruits.
Not only is watermelon a juicy, sweet summer fruit (especially when served chilled). Watermelon has high levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and lycopene. Lycopene is found in all red fruits and is an anti-oxidant (and can help prevent cancer).
The next time you bite into a big, juicy piece of watermelon remember the additional health benefits you're getting as you eat this delicious summer fruit.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Cheese Please
If there was such a term as a "cheese whore," I think I'd qualify. I have a friend who loves her cheese as well (she'll enjoy my ode to cheese in this blog).
What's not to like about cheese? Yes, it's fattening but it's loaded with calcium and there are low fat alternatives (and even soy alternatives for vegans).
I had my first cheese-tastic experience when I had the privilege of visiting the Cabot cheese tasting room in Vermont a few years ago. How could anyone not love horseradish jack or tomato and basil flavored cheeses? Vermont cheese boasts a sharp, yummy taste and I haven't found a cheese to outshine it (yet)!
I also am hooked on goat cheeses (both hard and soft) and I've been a lifelong fan of the fattening French brie. Brie and french bread--the most sinful of cheese/carb combinations.
I love cheese and crackers, cheese on its own, and hunks and chunks and blocks of cheese. Yes, I can hear your arteries hardening as I write. I love it melted, gooey and straight from the refrigerator.
I'm a huge fan of the buffalo mozzarella and fresh mozzarella. A caprese salad (basically fresh soft mozzarella, fresh basil and sliced tomatoes mixed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil) is my favorite summer salad.
Please feel free to comment and share your cheese recipes or "cheesey" experiences! Anyone for some dill havarti? Thanks. I'll take mine straight up.
What's not to like about cheese? Yes, it's fattening but it's loaded with calcium and there are low fat alternatives (and even soy alternatives for vegans).
I had my first cheese-tastic experience when I had the privilege of visiting the Cabot cheese tasting room in Vermont a few years ago. How could anyone not love horseradish jack or tomato and basil flavored cheeses? Vermont cheese boasts a sharp, yummy taste and I haven't found a cheese to outshine it (yet)!
I also am hooked on goat cheeses (both hard and soft) and I've been a lifelong fan of the fattening French brie. Brie and french bread--the most sinful of cheese/carb combinations.
I love cheese and crackers, cheese on its own, and hunks and chunks and blocks of cheese. Yes, I can hear your arteries hardening as I write. I love it melted, gooey and straight from the refrigerator.
I'm a huge fan of the buffalo mozzarella and fresh mozzarella. A caprese salad (basically fresh soft mozzarella, fresh basil and sliced tomatoes mixed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil) is my favorite summer salad.
Please feel free to comment and share your cheese recipes or "cheesey" experiences! Anyone for some dill havarti? Thanks. I'll take mine straight up.
Monday, May 5, 2008
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