tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17993089060009290552024-02-07T12:07:36.078+00:00chocoholic frolicsstories, recipes and ramblings from a life in chocolateemily at cocoabeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14451026880220023559noreply@blogger.comBlogger162125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-51525432771400113122012-06-24T15:34:00.003+01:002012-06-24T15:39:43.130+01:00lemon meringue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tk5dOugMsfjZR77Pp4rZoEU6EfuwMhXtvZUFqSXsZV3c5-D9VRzj-6y_Amk66WI5yk6CXfkON7a1etZ4Z3NMAE86F8jOaD8nvoL8yl5ByuVrxk34huSvL7f1lR9e3Sq5oR0VHCVlcIq5/s1600/lemons+(citrustreesonline).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tk5dOugMsfjZR77Pp4rZoEU6EfuwMhXtvZUFqSXsZV3c5-D9VRzj-6y_Amk66WI5yk6CXfkON7a1etZ4Z3NMAE86F8jOaD8nvoL8yl5ByuVrxk34huSvL7f1lR9e3Sq5oR0VHCVlcIq5/s320/lemons+(citrustreesonline).jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
i am experimenting with a lemon meringue chocolate as a new flavour for a cocoa bean bar. we had a lemon chocolate in the past as part of our classic collection, made initially with just lemon zest and later with the addition of a lemon oil from urru. having tasted meringue in chocolate alchemist's eaton mess, i became inspired. only one batch has so far been combined with chocolate; the rest disapearing into the mouths of my family before i could spirit them away!<br />
<br />
the white chocolate experiment was too sickly, even with the tartness from the zest. i still stick to my belief that white chocolate needs spices to counteract the cloying flavour. when combined with our chilli, cardamon and ginger or chococo's cardamon and saffron it gains something verging on sublime. otherwise it still tastes to me like the offerings of the milky bar kid.<br />
<br />
this meringue recipe has delivered great results every time - crispy outside, soft inside and i hope to soon be reporting on my results with milk and dark chocolate. the only problem is i have a punnet of fresh strawberries and just seem to have whipped up some double cream. hmmm...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaZFc1lXghn2dF5nuZjQKJefiBQsCzeRMQj-bsB7uy4z8zKyOHh4v6vvljpkk8o7pG9xYeO5Q10S6Lt8hSmqZ-eZtVli_KPQYyg-WtIPD3MqUF-4Un0tMUjltf6dPKd2ubsUAWxCXCl1R/s1600/a+meringue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaZFc1lXghn2dF5nuZjQKJefiBQsCzeRMQj-bsB7uy4z8zKyOHh4v6vvljpkk8o7pG9xYeO5Q10S6Lt8hSmqZ-eZtVli_KPQYyg-WtIPD3MqUF-4Un0tMUjltf6dPKd2ubsUAWxCXCl1R/s200/a+meringue.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
ingredients<br />
<br />
115g caster sugar<br />
115g icing sugar<br />
4 free range egg whites<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
method<br />
<br />
heat the oven to 100 C<br />
whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks in a metal bowl.<br />
combine the caster sugar a spoonful at a time and whisk for about 5 seconds in between additions until thick and glossy<br />
seive the icing sugar and combine a third at a time<br />
spoon in dollops onto parchment and cook for about 1 1/4 - 1/2 hours<br />
the meringues should sound crisp when tapped<br />
<br />
<br />Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-41167886065284197752012-04-13T21:24:00.002+01:002012-04-13T21:28:14.901+01:00extremely delicious ireland<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnxZ3MK_1Dfd_Ys9aeT6C9iOyRnGLXFP8rtYW73sYIZr1pfr8PdI2EVarxLXGbyeaTL2SIUdudJeHMumIbKjKuy2EsOfnRJq837RpXJwJ4MzeQPERlkPP1sqeQakn-nGcbJHkShsoijUX/s1600/selfridges+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnxZ3MK_1Dfd_Ys9aeT6C9iOyRnGLXFP8rtYW73sYIZr1pfr8PdI2EVarxLXGbyeaTL2SIUdudJeHMumIbKjKuy2EsOfnRJq837RpXJwJ4MzeQPERlkPP1sqeQakn-nGcbJHkShsoijUX/s400/selfridges+040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a second great day at selfridges. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
got the chance to try delicious cheese, butter, fudge, soda bread and catch up with old friends as well as explaining the story beind our chocolate, our methods and our new ideas. apparently the place was full of footballers and film stars but i only had eyes for the food. think i recognised a few famous faces snapping up our bars and truffles!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj50V4nQI4rnl3eWD7oAR2h2yKW3J39ovleQISvxpVuWl0b7aZZtLLUB1d-fJm4R4lV0gRqhEqO-fnOM2pEmk9xbiExLuvfravqaL1FyNKQ-xH_FLMcB0dJph5gNVsmxZsiYntwWCqhQ4/s1600/selfridges+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj50V4nQI4rnl3eWD7oAR2h2yKW3J39ovleQISvxpVuWl0b7aZZtLLUB1d-fJm4R4lV0gRqhEqO-fnOM2pEmk9xbiExLuvfravqaL1FyNKQ-xH_FLMcB0dJph5gNVsmxZsiYntwWCqhQ4/s400/selfridges+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the award winners went down so well i have had to sos colm for more tasting samples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBFS41hi7aP5_kiv2_2qtGi6rtV8j-Wm-R7cugOn04o9GbsINhQY0fhVw0KajljugmcygCxa6Tm9erk1fty7me-J7mRGGTUWdp2r6derQvgZnLcAi1eBGaYYace5gUI_j6rKNSI7iYEOA/s1600/selfridges+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBFS41hi7aP5_kiv2_2qtGi6rtV8j-Wm-R7cugOn04o9GbsINhQY0fhVw0KajljugmcygCxa6Tm9erk1fty7me-J7mRGGTUWdp2r6derQvgZnLcAi1eBGaYYace5gUI_j6rKNSI7iYEOA/s400/selfridges+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at least one of these boxes is winging it's way to hong kong as an example of 'the best chocolate ever!'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Cs7gj62FfSauEf9-H8t9KkpUEkt1id55fFEPiv_1HxT6G1lGSQ7naPyAu6YDaZnl2_YWNG1Ia1MFni_MTXk81sp7Soqt1MKn37MmVV4TcaYdMv2QZO8iI2UjH8DBkZuiqLRENpF-Zc-Z/s1600/selfridges+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Cs7gj62FfSauEf9-H8t9KkpUEkt1id55fFEPiv_1HxT6G1lGSQ7naPyAu6YDaZnl2_YWNG1Ia1MFni_MTXk81sp7Soqt1MKn37MmVV4TcaYdMv2QZO8iI2UjH8DBkZuiqLRENpF-Zc-Z/s400/selfridges+046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very strange</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wbFGNVHcZb34yol47_7gGDCiWZv9AHCtTd_xtMUp9nbUugjAXfpg3SFmFQ4odfQ-GlDNkRW8DdCVDH4Kb17WY_wREojBDvNVEdm9_DNOPbId0gQV2DAsfWSZOfzkSBGENLw-W45ZbvYn/s1600/selfridges+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wbFGNVHcZb34yol47_7gGDCiWZv9AHCtTd_xtMUp9nbUugjAXfpg3SFmFQ4odfQ-GlDNkRW8DdCVDH4Kb17WY_wREojBDvNVEdm9_DNOPbId0gQV2DAsfWSZOfzkSBGENLw-W45ZbvYn/s320/selfridges+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hoping to make some hot chocolate to give out next week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6NdY74zyGbnrq2U4PUobZGX4VXZNUoG3wT_yrjYX7BoQsr7FICLn_3pNaWTd5XOYRkTYCHi2MwPxbWJ9lKadLuDiLUUXHXhtQ58WhR0RMkN6wDXIGzqh1ICCHDlZCUllqdiGyw26Im3E/s1600/selfridges+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6NdY74zyGbnrq2U4PUobZGX4VXZNUoG3wT_yrjYX7BoQsr7FICLn_3pNaWTd5XOYRkTYCHi2MwPxbWJ9lKadLuDiLUUXHXhtQ58WhR0RMkN6wDXIGzqh1ICCHDlZCUllqdiGyw26Im3E/s320/selfridges+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i can confirm that the gin and tonic marmalde is nice spread on our gin and tonic bar! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-67566402130425396972012-04-13T21:02:00.002+01:002012-04-13T21:09:26.843+01:00new chocolate baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ_SjtpkN0ABArh0Rvd3FnTrw6g3Xl0VcMol9G4E9QL7QMLKeGsV5Xj8xV5cEW4CvEu12dQmLM-Ff3jfJjlQvlWCjPTz0-g4ffEOMy-S_URRxp76agAJyKwuuO4H8TLE9_sPZ-ZLdQh9i/s1600/the+healy+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ_SjtpkN0ABArh0Rvd3FnTrw6g3Xl0VcMol9G4E9QL7QMLKeGsV5Xj8xV5cEW4CvEu12dQmLM-Ff3jfJjlQvlWCjPTz0-g4ffEOMy-S_URRxp76agAJyKwuuO4H8TLE9_sPZ-ZLdQh9i/s1600/the+healy+men.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
congratulations to all of the family on the arrival of Luke Arthur Sean. he has a fine head of hair...Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-28860940965742049212012-04-07T21:14:00.003+01:002012-04-07T21:31:05.806+01:00easter saturday<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkg1Us0wzjoD5A87BPVUwyrNYy_Z6pAQJjpANWBtijkAx5T8YYz0cBGHdvtkyx7bAQ_58KofZMsSCOGIjZdc3Bk2uQRz7o9R70lXTfI2VPXRB3He1yy8PN2TYjZJoW5XsHtaiSwDJYImY/s1600/a+hot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkg1Us0wzjoD5A87BPVUwyrNYy_Z6pAQJjpANWBtijkAx5T8YYz0cBGHdvtkyx7bAQ_58KofZMsSCOGIjZdc3Bk2uQRz7o9R70lXTfI2VPXRB3He1yy8PN2TYjZJoW5XsHtaiSwDJYImY/s1600/a+hot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkg1Us0wzjoD5A87BPVUwyrNYy_Z6pAQJjpANWBtijkAx5T8YYz0cBGHdvtkyx7bAQ_58KofZMsSCOGIjZdc3Bk2uQRz7o9R70lXTfI2VPXRB3He1yy8PN2TYjZJoW5XsHtaiSwDJYImY/s200/a+hot.JPG" width="150" /></a>i had designed honey bunnies and hot chicks for last easter but they never got made because of the fire. these were supposed to be packaged in the noodle style boxes like the christmas stars, chrsitmas trees and winter spice holly leaves. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
yesterday, i found my original bunny moulds and decided to have a go at a hot cross bunny for next year. all was going well with the flavours: cinnamon, mixed spice and a touch of fresh lemon zest in good dark chocolate. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
then, by mistake, i added too much honey and they were not happy bunnies! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr3G0WHWXFT24ppFXI4dXICkais1D-LgDJiAJxdNQEr_F8Ef6e_57S3hD7dNfBsmecVHlZwyzTqtY2b04V_42_BGRStxQL-z7Hje3KBdgVCnM-4GwGGKti6ydlG8s8hdYHOVqzuS_poBi/s1600/a+elsie+with+bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr3G0WHWXFT24ppFXI4dXICkais1D-LgDJiAJxdNQEr_F8Ef6e_57S3hD7dNfBsmecVHlZwyzTqtY2b04V_42_BGRStxQL-z7Hje3KBdgVCnM-4GwGGKti6ydlG8s8hdYHOVqzuS_poBi/s320/a+elsie+with+bunny.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
at this stage, i was determined not to give up so i filled the moulds with the very unworkable chocolate, honey paste and popped a raisin into the back of each shape.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
i then tempered milk chocolate, added more lemon zest and sealed the raisins with this chocolate backing. the result was surprisingly pleasing in both texture and taste. elsie, the chocolate connoisseur of the family was happy. they definitely need more work but i have a year until next easter!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqLMSfYfq6ZqXBUwuHeXhwXM5rZw7L9vpvdtnM0ph9M0WJAjH-oZ-N82gO5tFewN3nBz7v1fQcDkUGnrHlqatyF7lUKkVxBjB9LBnoV8_bxsIWrtgRd9UATZmkPqUZhTF-RfvzmkTMjba/s1600/a+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqLMSfYfq6ZqXBUwuHeXhwXM5rZw7L9vpvdtnM0ph9M0WJAjH-oZ-N82gO5tFewN3nBz7v1fQcDkUGnrHlqatyF7lUKkVxBjB9LBnoV8_bxsIWrtgRd9UATZmkPqUZhTF-RfvzmkTMjba/s320/a+house.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting inspiration from the spring sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jOC6LRW_RJXVzC_0Q_6yK8uYMmZAXbLs6VRRwOKOgxCeubnW0C3pTDJV5VMvcPG0Gg9b86Q_Kd1qs984qqbuEj0R_NKPPnyelIyqpR32Sm2nOiEWqMxyS6oOMfKVbdNOKp-rdXFAYvcQ/s1600/a+girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jOC6LRW_RJXVzC_0Q_6yK8uYMmZAXbLs6VRRwOKOgxCeubnW0C3pTDJV5VMvcPG0Gg9b86Q_Kd1qs984qqbuEj0R_NKPPnyelIyqpR32Sm2nOiEWqMxyS6oOMfKVbdNOKp-rdXFAYvcQ/s400/a+girls.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting psyched up for all the chocolate eating tomorrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzje_VgAbs65IaCwqbwV4btUqAVczj-ayyhvtBJaQLHOOYMGnW9hgMt4fYdFchIN8juZoIJ4cIBYimN1nqU1_l-fpEqj8ihkkJVd_eWapilO_Xt65-dVPFdZozu-7pYlYwL3yhwOZ5DlbV/s1600/a+madness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzje_VgAbs65IaCwqbwV4btUqAVczj-ayyhvtBJaQLHOOYMGnW9hgMt4fYdFchIN8juZoIJ4cIBYimN1nqU1_l-fpEqj8ihkkJVd_eWapilO_Xt65-dVPFdZozu-7pYlYwL3yhwOZ5DlbV/s320/a+madness.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crazy swinging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKMDyQ4CN0jfFYNCyamKycf6TA-PnXILzgyhasn7NuppTbjcB4JhabE8lok2VJBSkA3wQN5vN0AyEvdkMga9-3uxXu6I6Th9TYqEmeL57YNjPSAsUde0dfWLg4BRMiaINlW2iezcEqE9c/s1600/elsie+upside+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKMDyQ4CN0jfFYNCyamKycf6TA-PnXILzgyhasn7NuppTbjcB4JhabE8lok2VJBSkA3wQN5vN0AyEvdkMga9-3uxXu6I6Th9TYqEmeL57YNjPSAsUde0dfWLg4BRMiaINlW2iezcEqE9c/s320/elsie+upside+down.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elsie upside down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfDX2gBLCe_v2H0RuGOUJIw5K8BtdG1rywhBoMP_zU9mMVrBe_1J-vvf1amRrMz0wBKpP1CqqUPTcyYRmkqb1jf8OjbzUV-KOrzHFiOwz7F-2klcLv8aPPgPmc-tauWBToB7Mk0Mub-SG/s1600/a+aidan+iris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfDX2gBLCe_v2H0RuGOUJIw5K8BtdG1rywhBoMP_zU9mMVrBe_1J-vvf1amRrMz0wBKpP1CqqUPTcyYRmkqb1jf8OjbzUV-KOrzHFiOwz7F-2klcLv8aPPgPmc-tauWBToB7Mk0Mub-SG/s320/a+aidan+iris.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iris ready to go home to a cosy fire and hot chocolate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-31814944616876677922012-04-05T11:33:00.000+01:002012-04-05T11:34:34.710+01:00happy easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFKtC4jOe-ffKudBkRr_QWeYwIj_UNsYFEBWACz-jR49yepwPoUL-8YAT3FzYuZzTHbmiowGhPzvHbSLhtBIHVxpodr-M467bUVFCgBIDVQSwQr6ZD8BMfGm8d1IhyQkVoaQcKdJMRzug/s1600/skelligs+aprons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFKtC4jOe-ffKudBkRr_QWeYwIj_UNsYFEBWACz-jR49yepwPoUL-8YAT3FzYuZzTHbmiowGhPzvHbSLhtBIHVxpodr-M467bUVFCgBIDVQSwQr6ZD8BMfGm8d1IhyQkVoaQcKdJMRzug/s400/skelligs+aprons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
happy easter to everyone from the team at skelligs - a much brighter time for us all than last year when the site was still a sad reminder of our fire. that's all behind us now thanks to the tenacity of colm and the support of everyone at skelligs, our local community and all our colleagues, competitors and customers. the cafe is open, the windows are decorated with bunnies, eggs and bumble bees and the lovely aroma of chocolate will greet you to herald the coming of easter. those of you who are still off chocolate for lent only have a few days to wait....hooray! hope you have stocked up for the feasting on sunday.</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-YAQT7KRwImgLj2avrZ4ybkYImU6ws9xsHuKFho-9L7fzeehFJe72XSmU2joM9SecWINEDdC3aJEFRAg6Zs9LwiGrBjeTfz6_s3Bz6qZeDn0huBCjHKIBAFEcmIoqhuerymcDq4urHxq/s1600/cute-spring-lambs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-YAQT7KRwImgLj2avrZ4ybkYImU6ws9xsHuKFho-9L7fzeehFJe72XSmU2joM9SecWINEDdC3aJEFRAg6Zs9LwiGrBjeTfz6_s3Bz6qZeDn0huBCjHKIBAFEcmIoqhuerymcDq4urHxq/s320/cute-spring-lambs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
i know many people don't like actually associating cute spring lambs with the roast they'll have this sunday. there was no squeamishness from a young lad catherine heard from the window of the chocolate factory yesterday calling out to our mountain lambs, 'mint sauce, mint sauce!' hopefully they took the hint and made themselves scarce...Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-85860910748629228492012-04-03T20:26:00.000+01:002012-04-03T20:26:02.218+01:00delicious ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy77l9Jpyy3nfvjnSxrRS_OG_i-D9D2SwRN0q9ldK-F3oWs0imr2NDtAzF6Kpp4wKU0_g7zNLc-G0WnlCf9oq7eWT0TW6b0oicIVR5QCPMQ22VM11nkRACs5_topsPHtkKI10s3Z48V4k/s1600/selfridges+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy77l9Jpyy3nfvjnSxrRS_OG_i-D9D2SwRN0q9ldK-F3oWs0imr2NDtAzF6Kpp4wKU0_g7zNLc-G0WnlCf9oq7eWT0TW6b0oicIVR5QCPMQ22VM11nkRACs5_topsPHtkKI10s3Z48V4k/s320/selfridges+bag.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
we are thrilled to have been selected to represent ireland's finest artisan producers in selfridges for the <span style="color: magenta;">delicious ireland</span> festival this month.<br />
<br />
if you come to selfridges food hall, you can meet me and othe dedicated artisan producers including bakers, cheese and butter makers, meat curers, salmon and eel smokers and sample all of our delicious offerings!<br />
<br />
there will be a cookery demonstrations from ireland's most influential chefs including darina allen, catherine fulvio and richard corrigan.<br />
<br />
<div>
<strong>opening hours </strong><br />mon-sat 9:30am-9pm; <br />sun 11:30am-5:30pm</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
i will be there on the afternoons of april 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 26th and 27th.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
it would be great to see you there!</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-12718993882450161902012-04-03T14:29:00.000+01:002012-04-07T22:47:02.472+01:00beauitifully easy chocolate mousse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
this is a great recipe to make with children and perfect for tiny treats at this time of year. my children call them cappuccinos because i serve them in little espresso cups - some coffee nomenclature confusion but the name has stuck! if you want to, call them chocolate espressos or make them in generous mugs and add whipped cream for a more typical cappuccino look. you could even flavour the chocolate with a little espresso powder or a few tablespoons ultra strong filter coffee mixed into the egg yolks. i prefer a grating of nutmeg or sprinkle of cinnamon on the top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3dJZN502m4KywFyPwT_8x6Hv3f7HCWbMwnv3CJEgNF-JmxlkLPCwk2UyQDVp61qpiK5B6TajU825sAyx1sPuEUqUuswMyXXTw5hWdK00KUE69BiAAZZLk2DuF1WWbeBXobPU9Df82eAB/s1600/a+melted+chocolate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3dJZN502m4KywFyPwT_8x6Hv3f7HCWbMwnv3CJEgNF-JmxlkLPCwk2UyQDVp61qpiK5B6TajU825sAyx1sPuEUqUuswMyXXTw5hWdK00KUE69BiAAZZLk2DuF1WWbeBXobPU9Df82eAB/s400/a+melted+chocolate.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
break 60g of dark chocolate into a bowl and melt slowly over simmering water. take off the heat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe09mGBxM0c4bFDEfFfZwny8oj8bG5kGLyO5fKVcNbek00q65yhe1L4A-Zrz0Agdb0OBSPQzjbrYRRjjHmM45PcOYugQFZhrEwEKXNvhHKJs3UVZ8OCWsKuPAL6F4D6CHYyg-gQehRQTyf/s1600/a+separating+egg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe09mGBxM0c4bFDEfFfZwny8oj8bG5kGLyO5fKVcNbek00q65yhe1L4A-Zrz0Agdb0OBSPQzjbrYRRjjHmM45PcOYugQFZhrEwEKXNvhHKJs3UVZ8OCWsKuPAL6F4D6CHYyg-gQehRQTyf/s400/a+separating+egg.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
separate two eggs. i like doing this just by pouring the yolk from one side of the cracked shell to the other, allowing the egg white to fall into the bowl. i like the risk factor with this method. here is iris showing that even a three year old can manage it. the first attempt is waiting in the fridge ready to make scrambled eggs for breakfast tomorrow!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-FovOh3TrhuaAqQk1w4bLUcsaqQPJ0swNPbYYO4pGcWJb83D_ibBLtN7M6U3i1mlBduYR3flLymFfDB0vEzXZdksMj2oqFZpGODSp76Wn-tczJmLfBEaKqtAhZ1wQaUl4JgNGeDrR1BW/s1600/a+stiff+peaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-FovOh3TrhuaAqQk1w4bLUcsaqQPJ0swNPbYYO4pGcWJb83D_ibBLtN7M6U3i1mlBduYR3flLymFfDB0vEzXZdksMj2oqFZpGODSp76Wn-tczJmLfBEaKqtAhZ1wQaUl4JgNGeDrR1BW/s400/a+stiff+peaks.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
whisk the egg whites in stiff peaks. this still feels like culinary magic to me - children are amazed to see the change in stage from gloopy egg white to beautiful snowy mountains. whisk in two teaspoons of caster sugar. quickly mix the melted chocolate with the egg yolks. whisk in a third of the egg white to the chocolate mixture and then gently fold in the rest of the egg white. pour into espresso mugs and refrigerate for at least four hours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kkxrkWD01nlpm5yHiAtZoocE3Ujb0c2LGcmFFy16LhyphenhyphenWemPj6m_9LStwPqmcUbjPL4Vld5AhPxTrQI8EA0r9gRROqjy5zXKFYkwuzOrZqjgIebOSa70pD38ppRLmJTtrkUmt70W2dt3p/s1600/tasting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kkxrkWD01nlpm5yHiAtZoocE3Ujb0c2LGcmFFy16LhyphenhyphenWemPj6m_9LStwPqmcUbjPL4Vld5AhPxTrQI8EA0r9gRROqjy5zXKFYkwuzOrZqjgIebOSa70pD38ppRLmJTtrkUmt70W2dt3p/s400/tasting.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
let any little helpers lick the bowl and the beaters because four hours is a long time to wait!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBQzQwSfJ8brp26XSQJsdHmxqQ0HCDUq8H2SiafhdDi449S6GPFAdAwlj7xrSIMcottQzyYZHplMJ5IGd3HcEs-UavSK9LHsNtIl_VR7hAGXRbvhkMgg1e3_mu10JBrFOtmCVR03043h8/s1600/mousse+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBQzQwSfJ8brp26XSQJsdHmxqQ0HCDUq8H2SiafhdDi449S6GPFAdAwlj7xrSIMcottQzyYZHplMJ5IGd3HcEs-UavSK9LHsNtIl_VR7hAGXRbvhkMgg1e3_mu10JBrFOtmCVR03043h8/s400/mousse+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
add any toppings of your choice - cinnamon, ground ginger, grated nutmeg or softly whipped cream. my girls like a sprinkling of cocoa and icing sugar.</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-26222352607597342872012-03-19T21:31:00.002+00:002012-03-19T21:34:11.969+00:00lime and black pepper shots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl885ZbMliRG4wEp_cRrtLAnJnNWKdfANQGf1UpiY8FINjcIwCetJiyftzN_ksVVkhxNVR-MZdGEX6GAe2roffnE2aYyNm6O5wAZ2C50WV3pzYtYrIQDMMHcjvscZoWHidlzGlSjS2Yzz/s1600/Cocoa+Bean+Blog+March+2012+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl885ZbMliRG4wEp_cRrtLAnJnNWKdfANQGf1UpiY8FINjcIwCetJiyftzN_ksVVkhxNVR-MZdGEX6GAe2roffnE2aYyNm6O5wAZ2C50WV3pzYtYrIQDMMHcjvscZoWHidlzGlSjS2Yzz/s640/Cocoa+Bean+Blog+March+2012+013.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
these make a perfect monday treat for when you might have overindulged at the weekend but are not quite ready to face the week without lovely food! i made this with ingredients i had in my cupboard and it resembles a cheesecake. as the beauty of this dessert is the element of experimentation, i would love to hear of other flavour combinations.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNoc2GmhC9_z4THSCuF-8goA1k92mJfbw0iRAPVdI2w9Ut4WJ86XyL_UN6KMEzoR1I0vYKUV79hMU5i_LLTSoh9NKwE39axEHteKZOLiKeFHFi8oUBozYZ2G0rqv5MMZe-RrvuGshgOFI/s1600/Cocoa+Bean+Blog+March+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNoc2GmhC9_z4THSCuF-8goA1k92mJfbw0iRAPVdI2w9Ut4WJ86XyL_UN6KMEzoR1I0vYKUV79hMU5i_LLTSoh9NKwE39axEHteKZOLiKeFHFi8oUBozYZ2G0rqv5MMZe-RrvuGshgOFI/s640/Cocoa+Bean+Blog+March+2012+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">melting chocolate slowly over a bowl of warm water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
i crushed an amaretti biscuit and combined it with a small amount of melted butter. i then pressed this into the bottom of two shot glasses. in a small bowl i combined a heaped tablespoon of cream cheese, about the same amount of icing sugar, a good squeeze of lime juice and the zest of half a lime. this goes on top of the biscuit base. finally i melted some dark chocolate (i used four pieces of cocoa bean's lime and black pepper bar.) drizzle this on top of the cream cheese and pop them in the fridge. i imagine it would do you no harm to eat them while the chocolate on top is still warm and melty if waiting isn't an option for you!Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-1852562240288123212012-02-22T14:35:00.003+00:002012-02-22T20:12:37.448+00:00easter, ash wednesday and avocado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVxytdL13X5uuYTxPMQoXvaTexOKKI-ChO0M4CeATnWAisa4KSpBq3qWuA3_VoEsom6B7y4IOhxrCraO5sJZLX-yn5RCUkt8AE7dOHTDTWbiNtHkQRhe0a6yt7K6h2u-xdrsxiP_Dc5ac/s1600/425658_374513535910056_137995226228556_1422590_966768304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVxytdL13X5uuYTxPMQoXvaTexOKKI-ChO0M4CeATnWAisa4KSpBq3qWuA3_VoEsom6B7y4IOhxrCraO5sJZLX-yn5RCUkt8AE7dOHTDTWbiNtHkQRhe0a6yt7K6h2u-xdrsxiP_Dc5ac/s320/425658_374513535910056_137995226228556_1422590_966768304_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
the skelligs eggs are looking as beautiful as ever this year and with the weather getting warmer this week, i am feeling excited about spring and all things chocolatey: although being ash wednesday, many of you will have a long 40 days of abstinence before the start of feasting! i still stick to my beliefs that there are a lot more things worth giving up than chocolate (cigarettes, beer, ready meals, fast food, playstations...) but as a chocolate maker, i accept i am biased!<br />
<br />
it is our eldest daughter, esme's 10th birthday on sunday which means it is nearly 10 years since emily and i first launched cocoa bean at limerick market with esme bundled up in a baby sling. she stills likes pickled sea weed and smoked fish which is definitely thanks to her early contact with the limerick market fish stall and nial's charm!<br />
<br />
hope you all enjoyed your pancakes yesterday. i think it is still hard to beat melted dark chocolate and reduced frozen raspberries wrapped in a traditional pancake and dusted with icing sugar. a nice change is to make drop scones and layer them with chocolate in between and top with a pile of fresh raspberries. <br />
<br />
this final idea has nothing to do with chocolate but it tastes so good that it needs sharing! ( and it does contains lime like our lime and black pepper bars) dice a large avocado and large ripe tomato. chop a slice of red onion into tiny, tiny squares and mix with the zest and juice of half a lime. add salt and black pepper and mix all ingredients together. it is great on toasted seed bread or with a rich black bean stew. good too with roasted chicken and new potatoes.Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-35336506722701166812011-12-14T21:31:00.002+00:002011-12-15T15:22:50.377+00:00merry christmas<div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPxAD-govNLMVTuVY3iQ1tybgHKH2zmXDJOMcQgOO-SL5dNvreJrS2JjQrID10P70spVQybY6SVya2p6uQLDaPfpBS9tiImKIdvlj2-oxz1A2ZLDcQtr4MO4zVChykUFWLGfBIiIkZX_x/s1600/392079_325202980841112_137995226228556_1265065_1609861115_n.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686100066646202434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPxAD-govNLMVTuVY3iQ1tybgHKH2zmXDJOMcQgOO-SL5dNvreJrS2JjQrID10P70spVQybY6SVya2p6uQLDaPfpBS9tiImKIdvlj2-oxz1A2ZLDcQtr4MO4zVChykUFWLGfBIiIkZX_x/s400/392079_325202980841112_137995226228556_1265065_1609861115_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 236px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 350px;" /></a>the factory is finally open and the wonderful aroma of chocolate is back in the glen! thanks to everyone who supported us, stuck with us and were heroic throughout this challenging year. may next year bring happiness and good health to everyone.</div>
</div>
</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-39678908269774359372011-01-10T21:56:00.011+00:002011-01-10T22:41:09.057+00:00hot sugar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_6nL26zftHZD-ctB2vCG28M6AqU46yk1IM385vaWm83G_SLPY_uV2-hPkwiT0YfAV7dvnNhpvggRSb6MJQ4QyrTeerg_QPjFRKK_rZXaF-034wpBFs_Fx7kqFCozZPEpwE7lh7eVidPY/s1600/christmas+and+new+year+103.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560682379696310146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_6nL26zftHZD-ctB2vCG28M6AqU46yk1IM385vaWm83G_SLPY_uV2-hPkwiT0YfAV7dvnNhpvggRSb6MJQ4QyrTeerg_QPjFRKK_rZXaF-034wpBFs_Fx7kqFCozZPEpwE7lh7eVidPY/s400/christmas+and+new+year+103.jpg" /></a><br /><div>my middle daughter, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">elsie</span>, is a calming influence in the kitchen. she is a natural and makes up for her as yet limited palate by a calm and methodical <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">approach</span> that is completely alien to me! it is due to her presence that my initially enthusiastic attempts to make macaroons resulted in an edible end product instead of mayhem and complete family breakdown. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLJ6CFFYN-qmK0USpz4-Euxoii-e77239DG_AlAYsXE1KOBefw8ayvxRJzeP-tWITA0cQF7ppeiXsPHgOXtQzTonbJ-6qaAyOy1xiYE9Zx8hKQUY_gobmVkpBMKUyOi3RLsJw43OIpYv3/s1600/christmas+and+new+year+097.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560681175427359986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLJ6CFFYN-qmK0USpz4-Euxoii-e77239DG_AlAYsXE1KOBefw8ayvxRJzeP-tWITA0cQF7ppeiXsPHgOXtQzTonbJ-6qaAyOy1xiYE9Zx8hKQUY_gobmVkpBMKUyOi3RLsJw43OIpYv3/s400/christmas+and+new+year+097.jpg" /></a></div><div></div><div>making macaroons is one of the hardest thing i have done in the kitchen only rivalled by fudge and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">turkish</span> delights.<br /></div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 410px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560679957782016802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVkmXv7Y8lzFmdKYQCONXfn4pSyoJwey-1Bg2VZgmz1TfpN9CoQlers3yOdV2Gmf_lNJoEr4_r7mDIMipHn3xzuK1qaAcZxZsROnTTCSd8g6nAxkFpxdRHkMXxhCypsbz-BknUkPk2o-h/s400/christmas+and+new+year+099.jpg" /><br /></div><div></div><p>it must be hot sugar.</p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">emily</span> and i did finally win the battle against <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">turkish</span> delight and managed to make a consistently sticky, pink rose jelly wrapped in dark chocolate that was really popular at limerick market but taking on the sugar thermometer was always a challenge!</p><p>the final macaroons tasted good even though they well not the perfectly smooth, deep coloured beauties shown in the recipe book. i will try making them again but not yet. please send me advice and macaroon success stories.</p><p></p>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-87150597226064548742011-01-05T21:55:00.006+00:002011-01-05T22:30:59.368+00:00happy new year fabulous fondant desserts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO72lIdDyXLjRqb-SY4HVdB7CcZKeoVc5tGx-6-tB0Z5JF1-IDwOEv63IJdIcJ9TVaNaLZ9sZ_y9DtfN9iVV-2ZcsHbtvEPHOIZhglCJ3j1QL7LQghL59NTYfx93tGAZ2fQVHj94xSh6r/s1600/christmas+and+new+year+085.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558832788696140354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidO72lIdDyXLjRqb-SY4HVdB7CcZKeoVc5tGx-6-tB0Z5JF1-IDwOEv63IJdIcJ9TVaNaLZ9sZ_y9DtfN9iVV-2ZcsHbtvEPHOIZhglCJ3j1QL7LQghL59NTYfx93tGAZ2fQVHj94xSh6r/s400/christmas+and+new+year+085.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xrOVYG0PT1rXtn4zHN2mta5UG5G4t6Q4gt5FAWETvGG4RGuVyHPrZwZG4_MBAFcQNXXKZAUrFJI579KsOGtfkwM5KuB4tFrOUuWmCYESwmD6QvdD08U5CIMbIl7FGYxuoro23RHtqucu/s1600/frnch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 111px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558828577819581938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xrOVYG0PT1rXtn4zHN2mta5UG5G4t6Q4gt5FAWETvGG4RGuVyHPrZwZG4_MBAFcQNXXKZAUrFJI579KsOGtfkwM5KuB4tFrOUuWmCYESwmD6QvdD08U5CIMbIl7FGYxuoro23RHtqucu/s400/frnch.jpg" /></a>new year 2011 is not a time for diets. with all the austerity, belt tightening and uncertain economic times ahead, small indulgences are a necessity! keep smiling and make these. aidan likes them hot. i like them cold. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>the basic recipe is from this wonderful book by paul simon. after some experimenting, i found that you could flavour them with all the cocoa bean truffle favourites. i flavour with zests and spices before pouring it into tiny metal moulds . </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>basic recipe</div><br /><div>2 eggs</div><br /><div>50g brown sugar</div><br /><div>1 dessertspoon plain flour</div><br /><div>1 dessertspoon cornflour</div><br /><div>140g dark chocolate</div><br /><div>110g btter</div><br /><div>3 dessertspoons whipping cream</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>preheat the oven to 180 C</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>grease and dust the moulds with flour</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>beat the eggs and sugar. seive in the flour and cornflour and continue to beat.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>melt the chocolate, butter and cream in a bowl over simmering water.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>pour the chocolate cream into the sponge mixture and mix well together.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>fill the moulds two thirds full and then add a pinch of orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon or lemon zest. add another spoon of mixture to seal in the flavour and then pop into the oven for a few minutes! If you are making four big ones they will need abot 7 minutes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>turn them out straight away and eat or wait until the morning and eat with coffee for breakfast nigella style before anyone else is up!</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-83808792238787727562010-12-17T14:12:00.005+00:002010-12-17T14:34:40.941+00:00amsterdam and our magical mystery tour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHTBsquVIrSfZB0BqjZWsZMDOc4yAKktnfp9jc2jrjm__Q1bsaW1SMEmL46Y-5P-pAst5vOFdiMUEFiSB9wCo3oBJ0T3Zylym3RzacK-45BM_tw6mE-H1sS5B8CZNLKOpnPWZ-0l9e-_H/s1600/amsterdam+083.JPG"></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTvl4H1CE4BLN5yjDx54TUHwtdr-drMlm85WLTGQA4ez9f6U3BdiVZS1Hz-zWZBptZzEUL7ls9IJ-Vh8F-fOMpIkU548Nn58nfWew4Id9I0cD8ah2VkiYfUUqhyphenhyphen9-cNXFuFyYgCOZSOoZ/s1600/amsterdam+068.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551654565656944946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTvl4H1CE4BLN5yjDx54TUHwtdr-drMlm85WLTGQA4ez9f6U3BdiVZS1Hz-zWZBptZzEUL7ls9IJ-Vh8F-fOMpIkU548Nn58nfWew4Id9I0cD8ah2VkiYfUUqhyphenhyphen9-cNXFuFyYgCOZSOoZ/s400/amsterdam+068.JPG" /></a>colm and i had a day in amsterdam on wednesday: it was a business meeting away from it all; a research trip (oh the joy of cinnamon fresh truffles); a time to gather ideas about plans for the new factory and a mystery trip which you may or may not hear more about in the near future! this was the gorgeous view from the office where we had our meeting.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 175px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551656259998994786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJPUmKLbW7eEdw_OWstUmp_7J0F_4-l_TlBkj6vYxjGpXolFce3Kaib25c7R8HHj6gHK0FEddIr-ihrX4qV9YWgnOiPg5NhhAhjJFiPToGdqANKalClHKHlhdMyU-XxNezHyGk2g2vrn1/s400/amsterdam+070.JPG" /><br /></div><div></div></div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-41958887033300960632010-12-17T14:02:00.002+00:002010-12-17T14:10:33.271+00:00harvey nichol's christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD3ePE6Cu0pCFAAiAh5AHCKe-bdnR5mDc5PivVTVtCczATs_-v1Dhx_uKfl_u23ybr8Q8KDdFf9CM846ipfvIZnJ3NHqzELZy0iSZAp9VyHKvUwAbhfjdHaBhmx0ZOETO8jCq5QFiwFYP/s1600/amsterdam+064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551651839426361490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD3ePE6Cu0pCFAAiAh5AHCKe-bdnR5mDc5PivVTVtCczATs_-v1Dhx_uKfl_u23ybr8Q8KDdFf9CM846ipfvIZnJ3NHqzELZy0iSZAp9VyHKvUwAbhfjdHaBhmx0ZOETO8jCq5QFiwFYP/s400/amsterdam+064.JPG" /></a> it was a very festive evening on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tuesday</span> and a little bit emotional. i was offering tasting samples from our beautiful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">christmas</span> range of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">christmas</span> star anise, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">christmas</span> tree and winter spice in the stylish little boxes you can see in the picture. i have been working on the flavours and designs since last winter and most of them went up in flames. however, a few shops and hamper companies had already had their first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">christmas</span> delivery before the fire and these lucky boxes are looking lovely in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">christmas</span> displays. i love winter spice which is a triumph since i really don't like white chocolate!Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-60742269370111063572010-12-06T21:52:00.004+00:002010-12-06T22:10:27.301+00:00Thank you chocolate makers big and small<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DZ9yEvhkkGLWRv66DO1B1Sq4kxqtGt7LrpHn3bwb4brprP7rIhtFS65QVIZOF2iRHbIoLYNqkZ2F18uqi2TLk8X2ijlTzgSZ_zuoIJh66hH6EqPQMnXBjW8ZIWK8hOpVW793jz7l-u7H/s1600/August+2009+058.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547690802378975666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DZ9yEvhkkGLWRv66DO1B1Sq4kxqtGt7LrpHn3bwb4brprP7rIhtFS65QVIZOF2iRHbIoLYNqkZ2F18uqi2TLk8X2ijlTzgSZ_zuoIJh66hH6EqPQMnXBjW8ZIWK8hOpVW793jz7l-u7H/s400/August+2009+058.jpg" /></a>i might have to do a whole series of blog posts saying thank you to the different groups of well wishers! i will start with our colleagues and friends in the irish chocolate industry.<br /><br />in our early days, john mckenna gave emily and i some great advice: be friends with your competitors. he was so right! especially within the artisan community, we have been able to help and been helped out on lots of occasions. we have made friends for life and we are so grateful for their help and support since the fire.<br /><br />it is not just the artisan chocolatiers that have offered their help. the big players have also rung us to say how sorry they are to hear about the factory and offer real practical help.<br /><br />thank you!Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-54315800262183379972010-11-20T21:35:00.001+00:002010-11-20T21:43:12.212+00:00like a phoenix rising...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQq3EX5MCRFzzGCJA7-ncZ-49nyhqaCXfLwWLdDP-iFcZbeRfOjYx9XDRjqqviBQ8-r0fguPdC5r9juYNmwHnxgfjDkqQywVCdaH5CGfDiCVz6cB0hbhJHXTDAfxbvOQe3LYb7vheGkql/s1600/phoenix_rising.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541749559020960898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQq3EX5MCRFzzGCJA7-ncZ-49nyhqaCXfLwWLdDP-iFcZbeRfOjYx9XDRjqqviBQ8-r0fguPdC5r9juYNmwHnxgfjDkqQywVCdaH5CGfDiCVz6cB0hbhJHXTDAfxbvOQe3LYb7vheGkql/s400/phoenix_rising.jpg" /></a> we will be back! thanks to everyone for all their good wishes. friends, neighbours, customers, suppliers, journalists, chocoholics and strangers have sent us inspiring messages of encouragement. in the meantime, if you see our christmas stock on shop shelves, grab them quickly! they have unwittingly become extremely limited editions...Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-13711120495044463982010-11-15T19:40:00.002+00:002010-11-15T19:57:17.747+00:00fire at factoryit is such a sad blog to write that i will just say thanks to everyone who has sent messages of support and thanks to all our employees who prove again and again that they are more like a family. if you are a customer, supplier or friend, i am sorry that we haven't been in touch individually yet but i imagine may people read or heard about the fire that burnt through our factory early on saturday morning. i will update the blog when i know more but for now, thanks to the fire crew and thank goodness noone was hurt.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6TW6ZTJ31ot4awHsH1CIA2MfFzfhgMiQDhUTCwSpNel4B407SAb747cxXAbJ6bbs253zRt5Y9_fq1zYQ9fP6SmJ6KjqB-DX3SRZ28K1iaMPno9RWtgD537CEh4An92rluQULYezGfw6Z/s1600/front+fire+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539864920630565954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6TW6ZTJ31ot4awHsH1CIA2MfFzfhgMiQDhUTCwSpNel4B407SAb747cxXAbJ6bbs253zRt5Y9_fq1zYQ9fP6SmJ6KjqB-DX3SRZ28K1iaMPno9RWtgD537CEh4An92rluQULYezGfw6Z/s400/front+fire+2.jpg" /></a>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-10062152836053801752010-11-07T20:59:00.005+00:002010-11-07T21:30:44.743+00:00orange, cardamom & ginger chocolate cheesecake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yOCBhfjINpmOZ5pZ8g0ju5shPODA7gEotfrfVmdV0P8KJx73Fu_phlmeIWqKrQ7lz_LfzPGknjtzRyKYnk2bc7gRfH1vTzDR0aHvw4We1PF5yg326fTvq4HAxRkzikgUmBMCPeYBoXYc/s1600/Chocolate_Cheesecake_800.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536916347491416914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yOCBhfjINpmOZ5pZ8g0ju5shPODA7gEotfrfVmdV0P8KJx73Fu_phlmeIWqKrQ7lz_LfzPGknjtzRyKYnk2bc7gRfH1vTzDR0aHvw4We1PF5yg326fTvq4HAxRkzikgUmBMCPeYBoXYc/s400/Chocolate_Cheesecake_800.png" /></a><br /><div>i took the basic chocolate cheesecake recipe from the big book of chocolate by jennifer donovan and just played with it to give it the cocoa bean twist. i had promised a chocolate dessert for a large and lively 30 people dinner party on friday night. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536921917418361362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gOKINRLS1Z03bJZoeBU_GmhwOCo1EA18HFM969yILZpevVPNB9cAQW1RCQy0xGeeh3x1OwWu-BhbqvbAl-0uw45DbdCwaD9dahNY3IDgni_UBoJMQTY9vR0sFHXQ-UZivOs3pSoiHt20/s400/Sparklers21.jpg" />the main course was curry so i chose to go for one of our spicy flavours with the heat of ginger to warm everyone after braving the newly frosty air to leap about with sparklers. . .</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>base</strong></div><br /><div>250g ginger biscuits ( you can also add crystallised ginger to spice up the flavour - chop small)</div><br /><div>75g butter</div><br /><div>2 tbsp cocoa powder</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>cheesecake</strong></div><br /><div>50g butter</div><br /><div>400g cream cheese</div><br /><div>2 eggs lightly beaten</div><br /><div>5 tbsp caster sugar</div><br /><div>150g dark chocolate melted</div><br /><div>orange zest from 2 oranges</div><br /><div>juice of half an orange</div><br /><div>12 cardamoms toasted gently and crushed</div><br /><div></div><strong>method<br /></strong><div>grease a 23cm loose bottomed cake tin or flan dish</div><br /><div>crush the biscuits and melt the butter for the base. mix together with the cocoa powder and crystallised ginger. press firmly into the base.</div><br /><div>beat the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, butter, zest, cardamoms, orange juice and melted chocolate together in a large bowl until thick and smooth. it's good to use a electric hand mixer. spoon the mixture over the base and smooth with a palette knife. refrigerate for at least two hours. you can top it with cocoa powder or shavings of chocolate if you like, though i think it's nice plain.</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-89584924335093642212010-10-13T19:49:00.004+01:002010-10-13T21:17:56.805+01:00pumpkins and quince<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gt8CCwnUIaKB-eRTjAwO6Br8rN9grUynXKSkAXPm68iGZhhv1-w-51PzhA-QmE-F3mXd4GsBowMcp0oBSxopzuk8RLez0SwB7uv3aC0i1QbPAlfhCCOnaWe54GNrSqDJEi-MkDndgBAU/s1600/lettercollum.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 183px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527626638893235362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gt8CCwnUIaKB-eRTjAwO6Br8rN9grUynXKSkAXPm68iGZhhv1-w-51PzhA-QmE-F3mXd4GsBowMcp0oBSxopzuk8RLez0SwB7uv3aC0i1QbPAlfhCCOnaWe54GNrSqDJEi-MkDndgBAU/s400/lettercollum.bmp" /></a><br /><div>lettercollum kitchen are having a winter wine and pumpkin tasting this coming friday, 15th october, from 2pm -5pm. it'll be an informal tasting of wines from enrico fantasia from the grape circus and sheridan's wines and some of our pumpkin recipes.<br />we'll also have tastings of cheese and this years lettercollum chutneys and membrillo.<br />the membrillo is a spanish accompaniment for manchego cheese made from quince.<br />we had our first ever harvest of quinces this year!<br />we hope you have some time to pass by the shop on friday<br /></div><br /><div>lettercollum<br />timoleague<br />co. cork<br />www.lettercollum.ie </div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-27664246282045953832010-10-13T18:46:00.003+01:002010-10-13T18:54:53.752+01:00chocolate weekh<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6_PVngKMikIvmXdZXJCcp7DXxWui56qPuINxpBqZ5qiBcKXN8cWNFjT5Po1s_7edOwrBAUsS7jm79W-F2jmrPi-wkCQOVUXOzHEo6806_FAZGFl1mRtLSG5gN3-ia8pAwmv9stqTMqdU/s1600/dundrum.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527589773208733314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6_PVngKMikIvmXdZXJCcp7DXxWui56qPuINxpBqZ5qiBcKXN8cWNFjT5Po1s_7edOwrBAUsS7jm79W-F2jmrPi-wkCQOVUXOzHEo6806_FAZGFl1mRtLSG5gN3-ia8pAwmv9stqTMqdU/s400/dundrum.jpg" /></a> harvey nichols is celebrating chocolate week with colm and me! i will be at knightsbridge, london on friday from about 6pm-8pm with samples and tasters of our new winter and christmas chocolates. colm will be at dundrum on saturday. hope to see some of you....<br /><div></div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-28563334284355736752010-09-16T14:08:00.004+01:002010-09-16T14:26:42.450+01:00ponte vecchio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTjr15I2YHvHpbP7omsF20By4rHsSUz19td3lmR0NSjO2WeendyGLNOWzSmbUsnxcdpN9sbTLPHEzM61W5l5LmnM3y6HW4XZKUAgNhb99jIcEpvpf-MtEffpLaEYbQFF7arT2lyZSDph1/s1600/ireland+2010+105.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517498522319362210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTjr15I2YHvHpbP7omsF20By4rHsSUz19td3lmR0NSjO2WeendyGLNOWzSmbUsnxcdpN9sbTLPHEzM61W5l5LmnM3y6HW4XZKUAgNhb99jIcEpvpf-MtEffpLaEYbQFF7arT2lyZSDph1/s400/ireland+2010+105.jpg" /></a>while the little girls slept every afternoon and esme was off playing wild games with her older cousins, aidan packed me off to sample the delights of killaloe cafes and bars. i spent a couple of hours writing and reading in this great little delicatessen. the shelves of italian delicacies and big blocks of parmesan jostle cosily for space with the chairs and tables tucked into alcoves and corners. it had a secret, indulgent feel and was perfect for an afternoon of escapism. in fact two ... pictured is the freshly made lemon and poppy cake with hot chocolate. the next day, i returned for olives, beer and cheese. great stuff!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pontevecchio/">www.pontevecchio</a>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-6942582443441501752010-09-09T22:06:00.004+01:002010-09-09T22:28:42.658+01:00killaloe sunday market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoC3C7tZp-kirv6PdqxXbjFkdEuDVVU9Ilp0dLShfB1M7MFV92xEtUdQWrdV0aK3qLCu1csg8s5sks67GpJlh4HxYyaqkAMuBA9yZehfuMtCAT8eW_gM0jRoEQFUFQBctcIk0HAJmC-6b/s1600/ireland+2010+040.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515026840424904370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoC3C7tZp-kirv6PdqxXbjFkdEuDVVU9Ilp0dLShfB1M7MFV92xEtUdQWrdV0aK3qLCu1csg8s5sks67GpJlh4HxYyaqkAMuBA9yZehfuMtCAT8eW_gM0jRoEQFUFQBctcIk0HAJmC-6b/s400/ireland+2010+040.jpg" /></a><br /><div>on sunday we wandered into killaloe along the lough and over the bridge to ballina where we swam and watched the market being set up across the water. by 11am, when the market opened, we had worked up a great appetite for the fabulous cakes made by the fellas that are in our old unit at crossagalla. their dark chocolate tart was rich, smooth and intensely chocolatey!</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-23957100731972016592010-09-09T21:07:00.003+01:002010-09-09T21:13:58.381+01:00burren beo - september events<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktnPaiwZk3uNbXoZoS7hyphenhyphenHYf6gYsJNkReag6C4VxGNmyD4Lyis9fLN6CPaIOhe4OUQOzG9pU3riomcW7BbUpXx86EbbcnqihMacqky-v5J0__WdBARIraXk8rpAsUitGevj-z2EWrCk9M/s1600/burren-butterfly-300x259.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515009244144111250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktnPaiwZk3uNbXoZoS7hyphenhyphenHYf6gYsJNkReag6C4VxGNmyD4Lyis9fLN6CPaIOhe4OUQOzG9pU3riomcW7BbUpXx86EbbcnqihMacqky-v5J0__WdBARIraXk8rpAsUitGevj-z2EWrCk9M/s400/burren-butterfly-300x259.jpg" /></a><br /><div>saturday 11th september burrenbeo conservation volunteers monthly outing. led by butterfly expert, jesmond harding. clearing hazel and hawthorn from an important marsh fritillary breeding site. everyone welcome, but must register at <a href="mailto:trust@burrenbeo.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:trust@burrenbeo.com">trust@burrenbeo.com</a> </div><br /><div><br />thursday 16th september. monthly talk - venue and speaker to be confirmed.<br />everyone is welcome to participate in these events, more info from <a rel="nofollow">trust@burrenbeo.com</a> or 091-638096</div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-49940225913505943142010-09-09T14:14:00.004+01:002010-09-09T21:14:58.616+01:00fabulous fresh fish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Aw2GsC45MmNgL7vIHzN8u0l9sP9O73VmyIeFtF54ixgIVkamplek1_GHeLeh_pL0z9JnM6V7dYgCfRKvopt8qwlDmY4iipal61atxrXci7xnnuVM39IjxCeWyHpVsrCTN5llX0fDOze_/s1600/ireland+2010+102.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514902251224090162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Aw2GsC45MmNgL7vIHzN8u0l9sP9O73VmyIeFtF54ixgIVkamplek1_GHeLeh_pL0z9JnM6V7dYgCfRKvopt8qwlDmY4iipal61atxrXci7xnnuVM39IjxCeWyHpVsrCTN5llX0fDOze_/s400/ireland+2010+102.jpg" /></a>we have had a great summer! i have been busy with christmas products for cocoa bean, going out with the girls, the garden and a fabulous week in killaloe visiing aidan's family and old friends and colleagues. i have loads to write about and this is the first chance so i'll do it bit by bit. the first treat was the new shop run by mark anderson who was head chef of the cherry tree when i lived in limerick. he has now opened this great shop in killaloe where you can buy local meat, fish and organic vegetables. he is also starting to serve food that can be eaten at a stylish counter in the shop. over the week we bought swordfish, monkfish, scallops and organic corn fed chicken. they were fabulous and i was sorry to leave. mark has always been passionate about food whether it was making a special menu for aidan in his vegan days or demonstrating cookery at limerick midsummer market. this shop is no exception and i hope he is thriving when we go back to killaloe for christmas.<br /><br />gravitas -purveyors of fine foods & fresh fish. bridge street, killaloe, co. clare<br /><div></div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1799308906000929055.post-27247417720032602252010-07-21T12:28:00.004+01:002010-07-21T22:56:41.594+01:00chocolate at mccambridges<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4W3vkcfIY81SpqTJjnKNJby9LSpw2O4Pw6lA_R46oH8YaqgRJ1GSMPhx2nZIZGR_-5O3kWq3KIl5z_b3PDyBJktcq2hk99LmXibIeuEgbjhyphenhyphen-Xeo9AH-_03pnKOh_ofs5UI5C3TkZ0U4/s1600/maccambridges.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496320594090748738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4W3vkcfIY81SpqTJjnKNJby9LSpw2O4Pw6lA_R46oH8YaqgRJ1GSMPhx2nZIZGR_-5O3kWq3KIl5z_b3PDyBJktcq2hk99LmXibIeuEgbjhyphenhyphen-Xeo9AH-_03pnKOh_ofs5UI5C3TkZ0U4/s400/maccambridges.JPG" /></a> if you get a chance to wander down shop street on friday afternoon in galway, make sure you sample the delights of mccambridges and look out for helen handing out samples of cocoa bean and skelligs chocolates. we have been supplying mccambridges since the very early days, more than eight years ago. look out for all the other artisan delights on offer while you are there and let me know if you have a swim in salthill - some of my greatest swimming memories are of galway!<br /><div></div>Sarah at Cocoa Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18218512799476617492noreply@blogger.com5