Random Notes (or, "I don't always write about chocolate, Mademoiselle Richardson!"):
-Last time I noticed, pre-ground coffee sold in the U.S. is only obligated to contain 70% coffee.
-For some reason French mineral water in the U.S. does not have any mineral content. Except Evian. Go figure.
-The typical pistachios sold in this country are from California. Like most widely available agriculture from CA,...
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-Last time I noticed, pre-ground coffee sold in the U.S. is only obligated to contain 70% coffee.
-For some reason French mineral water in the U.S. does not have any mineral content. Except Evian. Go figure.
-The typical pistachios sold in this country are from California. Like most widely available agriculture from CA,...
Read More
richardson:
patience, mon ami, you will recieve a nice package soon. enjoy 
richardson:
hej dumb ass, i wanted to put it in my blog later! you killed the surprise. like you nevertheless
Today the New York Times has an article about a chocolate sommelier at the new Michel Cluizel boutique in New York. The article quickly gets into a discussion of the popularity of the source of the cacao.
This is not a new development - all major chocolatiers tend to advertise their sources, frequently putting out whole lines of varietal bars, like these from Pralus chocolates....
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This is not a new development - all major chocolatiers tend to advertise their sources, frequently putting out whole lines of varietal bars, like these from Pralus chocolates....
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richardson:
you're addicted to chocolate, you really are! 
Today I made Tiramisu for breakfast.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
rosalyn:
well 
No less stress, but the lack of homework is nice.
No less stress, but the lack of homework is nice.
melika:
MWAH! thankyou!
for breakfast?!?
for breakfast?!?
Thinking of Italy...
My wife just got me a new cookbook, The Silver Spoon, a classic Italian cookbook just translated into English. Apparently, it came out in Italy circa 1950 and was the equivalent of Fannie Farmer. Finally, it's been printed over here and it contains some actually "authentic" Italian recipes, though one can skip the chapters on Brains and Lights (Lungs). The book...
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My wife just got me a new cookbook, The Silver Spoon, a classic Italian cookbook just translated into English. Apparently, it came out in Italy circa 1950 and was the equivalent of Fannie Farmer. Finally, it's been printed over here and it contains some actually "authentic" Italian recipes, though one can skip the chapters on Brains and Lights (Lungs). The book...
Read More
B]Coffee and Tea
I am thrilled b/c a coffee place that I frequented in Philadelphia mail orders their beans. I've had a lot of coffee from a lot of places, but La Colombe does it best. Their "Corsica" blend is caramel-ly, and rich without being astringent.
For tea, I would recommend anyone order from Upton Tea.
They have an admirable (and affordable) selection of...
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I am thrilled b/c a coffee place that I frequented in Philadelphia mail orders their beans. I've had a lot of coffee from a lot of places, but La Colombe does it best. Their "Corsica" blend is caramel-ly, and rich without being astringent.
For tea, I would recommend anyone order from Upton Tea.
They have an admirable (and affordable) selection of...
Read More
delorium:
lol..what an amazing entry. There's this Tai place where I was living that had this amazing yellow tea..it was sooooo good
thanks for the mail about my art. I appriciate the comment. If you're ever interested in purchasing some of it let me know
thanks for the mail about my art. I appriciate the comment. If you're ever interested in purchasing some of it let me know
lanya:
now that i have my dslr i will, but i need to find time outside school to shoot first.
xoxo
-Lanya
xoxo
-Lanya
Random Food Thoughts:
I'm disappointed and mystified that the US imports of Vittel and Volvic waters have no mineral content, unlike their versions in France and the UK.
Two other brands of chocolate worth attention:
Zotter is an Austrian (I think) brand which is extremely gifted with mixing flavors in high-quality bars. Chocolate with Saffron, anyone? Take a look here for a gallery of their...
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I'm disappointed and mystified that the US imports of Vittel and Volvic waters have no mineral content, unlike their versions in France and the UK.
Two other brands of chocolate worth attention:
Zotter is an Austrian (I think) brand which is extremely gifted with mixing flavors in high-quality bars. Chocolate with Saffron, anyone? Take a look here for a gallery of their...
Read More
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
strix:
I had some gross rose flavored grappa and some really, really good chocolate kind.
How have you been??
How have you been??
liante:
I think your observations on RealDoll users are pretty accurate. Thanks. It's helped clarify my guesses as to why they creep me out as much as they do. 
New Year's Dinner:
1) Mozarella and string beans (ever since I saw Artie Bucco push this dish on Carmella on the Sopranos, I've been hooked. Crunchy, lightly blanched and crunchy green beans go wonderful with a fresh, soft ball of mozarella, helped out by drizzling some good olive oil on top - easy and great)
2) Salt Cod Branade: My first time making this. You...
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1) Mozarella and string beans (ever since I saw Artie Bucco push this dish on Carmella on the Sopranos, I've been hooked. Crunchy, lightly blanched and crunchy green beans go wonderful with a fresh, soft ball of mozarella, helped out by drizzling some good olive oil on top - easy and great)
2) Salt Cod Branade: My first time making this. You...
Read More
fatality:
Are there any left overs?!!
richardson:
isn't that another word for admirer? she actually refused when he told her about his darker desires but told him later, she'll think about it.. we'll see.
she actually refused when he told her about his darker desires but told him later, she'll think about it.. we'll see.Having moved to New York, I am now living in an almost entirely Chinese neighborhood. This has meant great restaurants, bakeries, and markets (especially the produce stands). Lately, however, I've been skirting the margins of my usual taste and experimenting with a Chinese snack/candy store.
One of the pleasures I've encountered are Gummis. Without being shaped into funky shapes, these are similar to the usual...
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One of the pleasures I've encountered are Gummis. Without being shaped into funky shapes, these are similar to the usual...
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Since I've moved, I cannot find my notes on chocolate in Paris, but anyone who is looking for good stuff there only need turn a corner to find it! If memory serves, one place in particular I would recommend for hand-made chocolates, great pastry, and drinking chocolate (called "the absinthe of chocolate" by the NY Times) is down towards the East end of the Ile...
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liante:
It's truly bizarre how much you know about chocolate. I say this with all due admiration, and I'm sure I've said it before, but it needs to be pointed out again.
As for the death penalty, yes. It's brought me back to the not-new realization that people seem to have the strongest opinions on topics that don't really touch their lives. A lot of the absolutists on either end of the board discussions, I'd be willing to wager, have never dealt with anyone involved in a death penalty case before, just as many of the most adamant people in the abortion debate have never had to confront the prospect of getting one themselves.
Absolutism is easiest in ignorance, evidently.
As for the death penalty, yes. It's brought me back to the not-new realization that people seem to have the strongest opinions on topics that don't really touch their lives. A lot of the absolutists on either end of the board discussions, I'd be willing to wager, have never dealt with anyone involved in a death penalty case before, just as many of the most adamant people in the abortion debate have never had to confront the prospect of getting one themselves.
Absolutism is easiest in ignorance, evidently.