Mom's Day Pics

Still catching up on blog posts from Mom's Day! My chocolate-dipped job is never done. With the next dinner coming up in a few weeks, it's about time to tempt you all with pics from our last special event.  Take a look at the cocoa-crazy vittles we all enjoyed:

Starter: Farmhouse Meats Platter- Cocoa-glazed Duroc Bacon, Chile-Maple Sausage, and Cocoa Nib-Sage Sausage

First Course: Buttermilk & Chive Biscuit with Cocoa Nib-Infused Butter

Second Course: Grilled Pineapple and Tropical Fruit Salad with Milk Chocolate-Curry Glaze

Entree: Quail Eggs in a Basket with Chile-Burnt Caramel Hollandaise and Vanilla-dressed Frisee

Dessert: Azteca Cinnamon Rolls with Burnt Caramel White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Here are this week's Chef's Selection recipes. If you tried last week's recipes, these are somewhat similar, but I think they're even better!

Farmer's Garden

Veggie Strata

1 cup  Red Onion, diced

1 med Green Pepper, diced

1 med Red Pepper, diced

1 small Yellow Squash, diced

3 cups Spinach, fresh

1/2 lb Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced

2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

10 lg Eggs

2 cups Half & Half or Whole Milk

Salt & Pepper

1 tsp  Dried Oregano

1/2 pint  Grape Tomatoes, halved

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan, add the peppers and onions, then the spinach leaves, and top with the mushrooms. Combine the cheeses and place over the veggie mixture. Add the grape tomatoes to the top. Combine the eggs, half & half and oregano, mix well. Pour the egg mixture over everything else and bake for 40 - 50 minutes or until casserole is set and golden. Let stand for a few moments before cutting.

Hashbrown Casserole

1 30oz Hashbrowns, frozen shredded, thawed
1 10 3/4 oz Cream of Potato Soup
1 cup Sour Cream
2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 tblsp  Dehydrated Chopped Onions

1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except for about 1/4 cup cheddar. Mix until well combined. Transfer mixture into a 13x9 greased dish. Add the reserved cheddar to the top. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

The Chocolate-Caramel Cheeseburger

I enjoy being a chocolatier. It's fun, sexy, and although I take a shower first thing when I get home to wash the aroma of chocolate from my body, I've yet to tire of making chocolate. I have to say though... the oddest thing of this profession is the regular attitude that I don't live the type of life that a normal person does. I still wake up each morning to distastefully hit the snooze button before pulling myself out of bed and into work. Same as you, no? But somehow a lot of people associate this "glamorous" career more closely to celebrity than not. I assure you that my life is pretty normal.

Then again... maybe not. When Ray goes into work carrying his little Gladware container filled with a dinner that he and I enjoyed the previous evening, he is inevitably swarmed by those "hens" of workplace asking in jelously facitious voices: "What did YOU eat for dinner?". So yes, if there is one way in which my life is more exciting than the average it would be in the realm of what I eat for dinner. Especially with an exotic chocolate-dinner at the cafe each month each demanding it's own , I end up eatting a lot of fantastically crazy food.


So I guess this is where all the glamour lies, no? While you are enjoying your Memorial Day bar-b-qued goodies, take a moment to sneak a peak as to what we are enjoying: The Chocolate Caramel Cheeseburger! Go on... take a look:




What's that monstrocity you ask???? Well it begins with an all beef hamburger set upon pan-toasted Squaw Bread (think whole-grain Pumpernickle), is accompanied with Tarragon Honey Mustard and fresh butter lettuce and tomato, and ends topped with our famous Chocolate-glazed Bacon and warm Gjetost cheese (a caramelized goat whey from Norway!). It's pretty much everything you want a juicy hamburger to be but have been too afraid to ask! And you can enjoy it, too. Take a look at our upcoming June dinner:

For just $25 per person, each guest can attend our Exotic Chocolate Bar-B-Que on Saturday June 20th. We have seatings at 11am, 1, 4, 6, and 8pm, but we still expect it to sell out, so call the cafe ASAP to RSVP! Here's what you will be eatting:

Chile-Roasted Corn on the Cobb with Cocoa-Nib Infused Butter

Chocolate Caramel Cheeseburger with Cocoa-glazed Bacon and Gjetost Cheese, Served with Rosemary Potato Wedges

Cherry Vanilla Bean Buckle with White Chocolate Biscuit Topping and Vanilla Gelato

For our veggie friends we are offering a Gjetost, Tomato, and Tarragon Honey Mustard Panini in lieu of the burger!

There's also an optional start of:

Tangy Buffalo Wing with Dipping Sauce Trio (Tarragon Honey Mustard, Blue Cheese Balsamic, and Chile Burnt Caramel!)

Hope to see all you gluttons there!

Creamy Dreamy Caramels
Amella's Artisan Cocoa Butter Caramels are nice and buttery, rich with flavor and made from wholesome ingredients. The flavors are awesome. Seen here are Passion Fruit, Black Forest (made with cherries and 70% dark chocolate) and Carrot Cake-which really hits the spot with fresh carrots, toasted pecans and unsalted butter. Each is crowned with a dollop of frosting made of creamy white or milk chocolate. They remind me of quaint little petit fours and the packaging is even more elegant, making Amella the perfect gift for a very lucky caramel enthusiast.

Good Morning!

It's been very wet this week in St Augustine. We really needed the rain.

Here's a few recipes from today's Chef's Selections:

Vegetable Strata

1 Tbls Oil

1 large Sweet Onion, diced

1 large Green Pepper, diced

2 med Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced

1 12oz Sourdough Loaf, cubed

1 4oz Brie, rind removed, cubed

1 cup Jack or Swiss Cheese, shredded

1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

10 lg Eggs

3 cups Milk

3 Tbls Dijon Mustard

1 tsp Seasoned Salt

1 tsp Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the vegetables. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender.In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, mustard, salt & pepper and blend well.Grease a 9x13 baking dish and layer the bread, then the vegetables and then the cheeses. Pour the egg mixture over everything else. Let the mixture stand for a 5 minutes and then bake for 45-55 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
This recipe works great to assemble, cover, refrigerate and bake the next morning.

Cheddar & Ham Hashbrowns

1 30oz Hashbrowns, frozen shredded, thawed
1 10 3/4 oz Cream of Potato Soup
1 1/2 cups Sour Cream
2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 cup Ham, diced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except for about 1/4 cup cheddar. Mix until well combined. Transfer mixture into a 13x9 greased dish. Add the reserved cheddar to the top. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Pecan Pie Mini Muffins

1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Flour, All Purpose
4 Eggs
2/3 cups Butter, melted
1 cup Pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Grease mini muffin tins well. Fill each cup about 2/3 full. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes. Remove from muffin tins after one minute.

Enjoy!
Chef Gary

Belgian Chocolate Bars: Great Tasting Chocolates(Belgian chocolates)

Belgian Chocolate

Chocolates have been around for quite a long time now and many people are still devoted to eating chocolate. Besides, you can never deny the fact that chocolates are very delicious treats that everybody loves. Perhaps even your sister going on a "strict" diet is hiding some in her bedroom to conceal her guilt for loving chocolate.

In fact, in the past, chocolates were considered to be a sacred drink in the Americas where only the elite society can afford. The Aztecs even made the cocoa bean as part of their monetary system in order to buy their gold. As you can see, chocolates have indeed been cherished by society and up until today, chocolates are still considered to be the best candy in the world.

A lot of countries have their own chocolates that they can be proud of. Today, the original recipe of the Spanish aristocrats has been kept for a secret for centuries and which is now called today as the Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolates were originally in a fluid form where people drank it. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars and other kinds of Belgian chocolates. Some are even fruits and biscuits coated with Belgian chocolate.

Indeed, Belgian chocolates are considered to be high quality and expensive chocolates that everyone should taste. Some Belgian chocolates contains liqueur for additional taste.

The sweetness and the creaminess of Belgian chocolates are one of a kind and people from all over the world crave for Belgian chocolates. Although it is on the expensive side, Belgian chocolates are still brought because of its taste and creaminess. It is not too sweet and it is also very creamy that it will provide great sensation when you let it melt in your mouth.

Many people, especially chocolate lovers have testified that Belgian chocolates are meticulously crafted that it makes them want to eat more. One kind of Belgian chocolates is called Godiva and is considered to be one of the best chocolates in the world. Famous people were even reported to go to Belgium just to get a hold of one of the world famous chocolates.

Chocolates can also be considered to be a great gift idea to your loved one. So, if you are planning to give your wife a gift, and you know that she loves chocolates, you should consider purchasing one of the world's finest chocolates produced in Belgium. You can be sure that this gift idea will be greatly appreciated and, another great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.

Although Belgian chocolates are very pricey, you can be sure that once you tasted one, you will say that it's worth every penny. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars in the market. It is also recommended that you should shop for Belgian chocolates online as you can get great discounts on their promos. Belgian chocolates are now being sold in the internet. So, if you can't find a Belgian chocolate in your area, you should try going online and with just a click of the mouse, you will find yourself with different choices of Belgian chocolates.

Another great thing about shopping for chocolates online is that you can avail of their buy one and get one free promos and big discounts.

belgian chocolates

Belgian Chocolate Biscuits Collection: A Delicious Gift(belgian chocolates)

belgian chocolates

Since the discovery of chocolates, a lot of people have been crazy about it. In fact, in today's world, people are still craving for great tasting and fine chocolates from different parts of the world. You have to consider that everyone loves chocolates. In fact, even your dieting sister is secretly stashing chocolates in their bedroom. Besides, who can resist a great tasting chocolate?

This treat is definitely loved by all kinds of people. From kids to elder people, chocolates are one of the most popular candies in the world. Today, there are different countries that produce their kind of chocolate. Each country has a special chocolate and each offers great tasting fine chocolate. However, you have to consider that only a few countries are famous for their chocolates and one of these countries is Belgium.

Belgium is considered to be one of the best chocolate producers in the world. They produce high quality and find chocolates that everyone from all over the world really loves. In fact, many people purchase Belgian chocolates in duty free terminals in international airports as gifts to their loved ones. Some who has the money for it travels all the way to Belgium just to get a taste of the different Belgian chocolates that the country has to offer.

If you are a person who loves chocolates, you will never want to miss tasting the Belgian chocolate. In fact, chocolate lovers from all over the world say that you can never get enough of Belgian chocolates and you definitely can't not try and eat one even if you are on a diet.

One kind of Belgian chocolate is called the Belgian chocolate biscuits. In this kind of chocolate, the biscuit is covered with creamy Belgian chocolate. It also comes in different varieties of Belgian chocolate. There is milk chocolate, dark chocolate and there are also white chocolate coated biscuits available.

People have said that you will be missing a part of your life if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolate biscuits. You have to consider that there are Belgian chocolate biscuits manufacturers located all over the world that produces great quality Belgian chocolate biscuits.

Here are a variety of high quality Belgian chocolate biscuits that you can consider buying at least once:

• Grand Biscuit Selection
• Diavola Chocolate Biscuits
• Amouretto Chocolate Biscuits
• Amandaggio Almond Biscuits
• Ophelia Chocolate Biscuits

These are some of the Belgian chocolate biscuits brand that you have to consider buying. It is made from high quality biscuits and also high quality Belgian chocolates.

You will see that Belgian chocolates are different from other kinds of chocolates. You have to consider that Belgian chocolates are creamy and offer a not-so-sweet taste. Because of this, Belgian chocolates became world famous and will make you want for more.

There was even a story of a person that was given Belgian chocolates where she planned to make it last for up to five days. However, when she tasted the chocolate for the first time, the entire box of Belgian chocolates lasted for only thirty minutes.

Belgian chocolates truly offer high quality chocolates. So, if you haven’t tasted Belgian chocolates, particularly Belgian chocolate biscuits, you have to consider buying one. It can be expensive, but after you tasted one, you will know that it's worth every penny.


belgian chocolates