The Groovy Foody

World of Cocoa: Holy Mole! on Roasted Veggies

Published on 7 May, 2012, by nessnixtony

As our journey into the world of cocoa continues, you have to know what’s coming next. I mean, how could I explore cocoa — with a fully stocked spice company, like Savory Spice Shop backing me up and NOT make Mole? I’d have to be stupid or crazy and though, I may sometimes be the

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Tags: chicken mole, chili peppers, Coriander, homemade Mole sauce, Mexico, mole, mole enchiladas, Oaxaca, Poblano, vegetable

Going Coco-Nutty! The Ultimate Quintuple Coconut Cupcakes

Published on 1 May, 2012, by nessnixtony

When I was 7 years old, my mother stayed up late one night, in our house on Kent Street in Riverside, California and baked the most-perfect coconut cake I have ever seen or tasted in my life. Granted — it was my very first coconut cake experience and the only one baked by my mother

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Tags: artisana nut butter recipes, baking, Coconut, coconut butter, coconut butter frosting, coconut butter sundae, Coconut cake, Cooking, Recipes

World of Cocoa: Rich Cacao-Onion Gravy

Published on 1 May, 2012, by nessnixtony

Roasted meats, mashed potatoes and even roasted root veggies rejoice — rich Cacao-Onion Gravy will make you sing! OK, maybe that’s over-selling it — but just by a bit. As part of the six unique recipes I came up with for my exploration into the World of Cocoa (courtesy of Savory Spice Shop) here on

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Tags: Cacao-Onion Gravy, cocoa onion gravy, Gravy, gravy for meats, onion gravy, red wine gravy

World of Cocoa: Spiced Cocoa-Crusted Pork Loin Chops

Published on 29 April, 2012, by nessnixtony

The other night, we ate the MOST decadent, deliciously chocolate-laden meal and dessert of my life — and it’s all because of YOU, my dear readers. You see, because of you, I was not satisfied with making just one dish for the Savory Spice Shop promotion — nor was I content with the two I

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5 Comments.

Tags: chocolate recipes, cocoa and meat, cocoa spice rubs, Pork, savory cocoa recipes, Savory Spice Shop, The Groovy foody

Cocoa Recipes: Strawberry-Arugula Salad with Cocoa Balsamic Dressing

Published on 20 April, 2012, by nessnixtony

In the world of cocoa, the discovery process is never-ending. The story of the origins of this “Food of the Gods” (translated from its Latin, Theobroma Cacao) as well as its uses by ancient South American cultures is truly amazing. As are the many varied uses for this bean from the cocoa pod (fruit).

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Tags: Balsamic vinegar, cocoa dressing, Goat cheese, Prosciutto, prosciutto salad, Salad, strawberry recipes, Theobroma Cacao

Chocolate Recipes: Exploring the World of Cocoa with Savory Spice

Published on 16 April, 2012, by nessnixtony

As any loyal reader knows, I have a thing for chocolate so when Savory Spice Shop approached the Virtual Potluck (VP) gang and we were all charged with choosing a section — I chose the baking section because Savory Spice Online has six different kinds of cocoa/cacao powder residing there. Ah! The rich splendor of cocoa!

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40 Comments.

Tags: Cocoa, Dutch process chocolate, Gorgonzola, Gorgonzola cocoa truffles, Groovy Foody

Blueberry-Peach Skillet Pie from the Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook

Published on 4 April, 2012, by nessnixtony

Guest Post by Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet Lodge Cast Iron sent me and the rest of the Virtual Potluck team a copy of their latest cookbook ” The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook”. The recipes are made using a cast iron vessel of one shape or another. This recipe for Blueberry-Peach Skillet Pie is quick to

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Hazelnut Maple-Berry Cobbler (*Gluten-free)

Published on 19 March, 2012, by nessnixtony

Coombs Family Farms Maple Syrup sent me and the rest of the Virtual Potluck folks a sample of their wares. We got the choice of maple sugar or maple syrup. Since I have a household that adores real maple syrup — we chose the syrup.

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Tags: Berry, berry cobbler, berry crisp recipe, Bob's Red Mill, Coombs family farms, Maple syrup

Mad Men Virtual Dinner Party: Shredded Pork and Shrimp Egg Rolls

Published on 18 March, 2012, by nessnixtony

Welcome friends! Here let me take your coats, hats and pocketbooks. Please go on in, there’s plenty to eat and Don will whip you up a Martini or an Old Fashioned — you know how Mr. Draper is. Oh, and I brought the tastiest shredded pork and shrimp egg rolls — you just have to

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Tags: Christina Hendricks, Cook, Dean Martin, Eggroll, Joan Holloway, Mad Men

True Citrus Zing Salad Dressing

Published on 14 March, 2012, by nessnixtony

When Virtual Potluck was approached to work with True Lemon, I was hesitant. As a native Californian (only transplanted in the Pacific Northwest) citrus is like home to me. The idea of NOT grabbing a fresh lemon or lime for a recipe seemed, frankly, a little nuts to me. I grew up with a lemon

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21 Comments.