Author Archive: Jeffrey Kirk

Pure Chocolate?

As reported by the Associated Press from Brussels, at least according to the high court of the European Union, there is no such thing as pure chocolate!

In Europe, unlike in the United States, chocolate can contain other vegetable oils and still be called chocolate.  Chocolate makers in some of the European countries typically include other oils, whereas some only use cocoa butter.

Most notably Italian law permitted the use of "pure chocolate" as a designation, contrary to the 1999 legislation where all EU nations agreed that the label would make clear whether the chocolate contained cocoa butter and/or other oils.
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Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Bryn let's me make the cheesecakes at our house.  In my opinion there's nothing like a good cheesecake to help celebrate any worthy event. 

For your Thanksgiving chocolate fix this year you might want to try a chocolate chip cheesecake.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
 
• 1 1/2 cups finely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
• 2 to 3 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted
• 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon flour
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Scotch with Chocolate Covered Bacon

Bryn asked me to make a guest-blogger appearance for today so I decided to write about a Scotch Whisky and chocolate pairing.  It seems strange to write this up on Sunday morning, but I assure you this reflects a Saturday evening tasting.  🙂

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Like Coffee for Chocolate

==> www.chocolateuniversityonline.com/goto/northstar.html

North Star Fine Coffees is introducing a new coffee that is designed for students of Chocolate University Online and chocolate lovers with a keen sense of taste. 

"Simply Decadent" is not a chocolate flavored coffee, but rather is a coffee designed to pair well with chocolates and chocolate desserts.
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Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes

Back in 1909 Walter Baker & Co., Ltd. published a little book called Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes By Miss Parloa and Home Made Candy Recipes By Mrs. Janet McKenzie Hill.

The staff here at Chocolate University Online have created a special 100th anniversary edition of this book and released it in a PDF download format.
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Brownie Marble Cheesecake

A few days ago Bryn mentioned a cheesecake and Pinot Grigio pairing.

chocolate recipe belowWhat she failed to mention is that it was I who suggested the Pinot Grigio as a potential pairing with the cheesecake.

Having tasted several of the wines earlier in the evening, I knew upon the first taste of the cheesecake that we would have a winning combination.  Since the last of the Pinot was already in my glass I had to take it over to Bryn and tell her to taste the combination.
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Other Fine Foods and Drinks

Recently Bryn wrote a post about experiencing fine chocolate.  I'm wondering what other fine foods and/or drinks you might enjoy?

People who have a strong love for chocolate often enjoy other fine foods and beverages as well.  Perhaps you like drinks such as coffee, wine, or scotch.  

Are you picky about your morning cup of coffee?  Do you want a gourmet blend with exquisite flavor?  Or will any dark-brown sludge do as long as its got caffeine? 
Do you like a fine French Bordeaux wine or do you pick up the $2.95 bottle of "Red?" 
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What’s Your Favorite Chocolate Bar?

One of the neat things about a blog is that it can be interactive.  People can make comments to articles; asking questions, expanding on the information provided, or taking the thoughts in another direction.  This helps to enrich the value of the blog for all readers.

To help you get some practice responding to blog articles, I have posted this simple question: What is Your Favorite Chocolate Bar?

Go ahead and comment below!  Tell us what chocolate you like best and, if you're up to it, tell us why.  Let's get some discussion going on this.  (Please note that your comment will not appear instantly.  To manage blog-spam all comments are held in a queue for approval.)
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Need a Chocolate Fix?

In one of our weekly lessons we suggest that our students think outside the box looking for other chocolate related products.  One of our students reported that she found a product called Chocolate Fix.  This is an idea of thinking inside the "chocolate box."

Chocolate Fix
Buy Chocolate Fix

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My Dog Ate My Homework

Remember that fun excuse, "My dog ate my homework?"  Everyone knew it wasn't true, yet it always made the rounds, year after year, at least in jest if not seriously...

Well, that excuse isn't very good at Chocolate University Online.  Since your homework is chocolate, you'd better hope your dog doesn't eat it!  We'd hate for you to get behind on your homework tending to a sick dog.

EYOHsmallBut now, as kids are heading back to school, perhaps there is a new excuse to consider, "My Husband Ate My Homework!"  You bet, when chocolate is around, someone is going to eat it.  And, as a student at CUO you'll have chocolate lying around. 
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