COCOBEAT

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” module_alignment=”left” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] Tarte Flambée or Flammekueche is a very tasty pizza-like flatbread topped with a mixture of fromage blanc (similar to yogurt or cottage cheese) and crème fraiche , sautéed onion and bacon. It is a very popular specialty of Alsace, a region that borders France and Germany. It’s a perfect appetizer for a dry, light white wine such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris or Riesling in spring, summer or almost any time of the year. O...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” module_alignment=”left” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] We moved our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time last weekend. It seems early, because it has still been a bit chilly outside even here in sunny Northern California (in addition to a lot of rain this winter), and the first day of Spring has not yet arrived. The old plum tree in my backyard is already full of white blossoms that have started falling like snow. The cold rains last week did not destroy their flowers t...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] Hot Chocolate is such a wonderful beverage in cold weather. It’s easy to prepare and it warms your body instantly with a deep rich flavor. Today there is a wide variety of fine chocolates available to enjoy this way. Just heat up some milk or half and half, then stir in chopped chocolate of your choice: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or maybe mix both; or use a flavored chocolate. I often make a milk tea (1 tablespoon of dry tea leaves for one cup of milk) and then stir in the chocolate. It’s a great opportunity to discover and enjoy chocolate in a different (weather-defy...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] I enjoy eating all kinds of fresh fruit in all seasons, and today we can find almost any kind of fruit in our supermarket year round. However, fruits that are in season locally are always best for flavor. Oranges and apples are perhaps the only seasonal fruits available under the grey sky and chilly air of February in Northern California. They are juicy, plump and sweet – at their peak flavor right now. Apples come in many varieties. Some are sweet and juicy and best enjoyed eaten fresh, but some are a bit tart and acidic, and are best for baking. I personally don’t eat fr...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] Spring has come to the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a bit cooler right now, but everything is turning verdant, colorful and bright. This simple chocolate torte (cake) is made with no butter and is flourless. It has a light texture but a deep chocolate flavor. For more of a thick chocolate mousse or terrine (with no baking required), you can chill/refrigerate the mixture overnight. One recipe, two desserts – a real treat for chocolate aficionados. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image show_in_lightbox=”off...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] I never thought the grassy/tannin taste of green tea would go well with milky, buttery white chocolate. Having been born and raised in Japan, I did not consider green tea exotic, nor could I understand (tradition, prejudice?) why you would want to use such an ingredient in a new/trendy (almost sacrilegious) way. However, this light chocolate cookie filled with green-tea-flavored white chocolate is surprisingly delicious. It is light and refreshing, for a cookie, like eating delicate mountain green leaves in clean spring water. You don’t taste any grassy green tea or overly...

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blog text about recipe with images” background_layout=”light” _builder_version=”3.0.83″] Cupcakes are wonderful. They are cute and versatile – you can dress them in almost infinite costumes (toppings) and flavors. And of course they are fun to eat. Due to their diminutive size/appearance, no one feels guilty about having one (or two). It’s an easy way to indulge, and to share an indulgence. Even I have become captured by their magic. From simple, minimal ingredients to elaborate gourmet toppings, you can go beyond your imagination to create hundreds of versions. What I also like about cupcakes is how quickly they can be made (baking time is half that of a loaf...