May 18, 2012 | Chocolate and Cocoa, Gluten-Free, Luscious Desserts
Black Onyx Chocolate Lava Cakes
There is nothing quite like the dark. In the dark you can hide all manner of sins and indiscretions. The dark is where our deepest yearnings live, those much too black to bring out into the light of day. Those things so unspeakably pleasurable that we never dare let the words loose from our lips — even in a whisper. The secret life of the dark, can be exhilarating, damning, or take us down a path that’s inescapable.
This is true of cocoa too. (more…)
May 12, 2012 | Grilling, Healthful Eats, Holiday Fare, Quick and Easy Meals
“Surprise Mama! Happy Mother’s Day”
SURPRISE!! Well, at least to me — my hubby and son planned a surprise Mother’s Day getaway. It’s been a long time since we had a vacation and even eight long, wet Portland months since our last weekend getaway. So, they decided momma needed a camping trip (one of our favorite things to do) and on a wonderfully sunny weekend like this, I couldn’t have agreed more. But it also came at the end of a VERY busy writing and speaking schedule and I still needed to post a blog here on The Groovy Foody — especially because I needed to introduce you to a new partner on the blog. (more…)
May 7, 2012 | Chocolate and Cocoa, World Cuisine
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 latter, I am NOT the former. And as a former Central Valley Cali-girl with parents who grew up in Los Alamitos, CA, I’ve had enough immersion into all things auténtico to be in the know. So, of course I whipped up some of the yummiest Mole just for you. (more…)
May 1, 2012 | Comfort Food, Luscious Desserts
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 in the entirety of my childhood. But I still remember it fondly to this day. (more…)
May 1, 2012 | Chocolate and Cocoa
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 GF, I’ve trotted out savory Cocoa-Dusted Bleu Cheese Truffles, brightly flavored Strawberry-Arugula Salad with Cocoa Vinaigrette and Spiced Cocoa-Crusted Pork Loins Chops so far. (Hope you’ve enjoyed them — I know we did!)
Today, I’d like to introduce you to cocoa or rather ground raw cacao powder in this rich gravy. Cacao powder is essentially cocoa powder but in its purest, most unadulterated powder form. This powder is made by cold-pressing raw cacao beans with the temperature never exceeding 120° F (this is what qualifies it as raw.) Regular cocoa powders are often exposed to temperature as high as 300°. The minimal processing of cacao powder allows for maximum flavor, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. (more…)
