Le Chocolat et La Vie

Chocolate.  I am working at The Cocoa Tree in Nashville, and life is delicious.  People love to romanticize the idea of chocolate.  When I tell friends that I am working at an artisan chocolate shop, they seem to think that it's some exquisitely enjoyable job.  I say to that, "well, yes it is."  I love to see people pick up a piece of chocolate or confection and exclaim with delight how right the flavor is.

Every day, I get to embark on a new culinary adventure, inciting my own palate to discover new tastes and engaging my creativity, which I so often neglect.  I never thought too much about how directly food affects and is affected by culture.  I have recently found myself indulging in the history, language and life of what we put in our mouths.  For me, it's not about knowledge so much as it is about the experience of food.  Food is art, it is life, it is culture.  My little job doesn't seem so small when I think of it this way.  Everyday, I get to be a part of someone's joy. 

When I lived in France, I finally understood why the French take food so seriously.  I was in Lyon, eating a traditional French meal with all of the courses and wine.  I don't know how well I can explain it, but I was so completely satisfied.  I realized that the timing, temperature, accents and mood of the entire meal were created with care and precision.  French restaurant owners care about their product and the people they are serving, never neglecting the experience as a whole.  The meal is not rushed, but drawn out.  The attention to detail produces a masterpiece, with the right wine and the right cheese, the right meat with the right vegetable. 

This satisfaction found in a five course meal or a tiny truffle, engages our senses much like the other pleasures in life.  I am drawn to the Maker when I participate in these pleasures.  If we can create goodness with our hands for others and ourselves to enjoy, maybe we can make that same goodness in our hearts.  God is near when I delight in His world as He intended.  And I am convinced that He intended us to make beauty; to make chocolate and cook filet mignon and to eat it and enjoy Him and others through it all. 

A Natural Kind of Love

"Oh there's somethin' pure and simple about those stars above
And it'll be the same for me
If I can find that natural kind of love"

Peace of Mind, Mindy Smith

I need peace of mind
and a hopeful heart
to lose this rage
and move out of the dark
I ain't looking for rainbows
or shooting stars
just some peace of mind
and a hopeful heart

I need a peace of mind
and a lullaby
cause theres an angry voice
in my head tonight
tellin' me to do things
that can't be right
I need peace of mind
and a lullaby

and a miracle
for this broken soul
a little miracle
for this broken soul

I need peace of mind
and gentle hand
as I try to change
the way I am
and God forgives me
when I can't
I need peace of mind
and a gentle hand

or a miracle
for this broken soul
a little miracle
for this broken soul

I need peace of mind
and a hopeful heart

What You Want, Baby I Got It

Here's the deal friends.  I want you all to try cupcakes by two sisters.  Those sisters being Emily and I.
I simply cannot consume all of this butter and sugar on my own!  I'm afraid that I prefer a pastime of reading Harry Potter or something of the like as opposed to strenuous exercise, so I have to find a way to give these delights a new palate to please.  A proper debut would be all of you! I will post a list of treats and you let me know if you want to sample.  I need good, honest "nays or yays"  so find the food critic within.  Give me a reason to perfect; and try some of our desserts!    

p.s.  And for all of you who have cut out sugar from your diet, shame on you!(Unless you are diabetic)  There's a whole, wide wonderful world of confections just waiting to be enjoyed.

A Little Family Secret

Emily made our family, sugar cookies from our Italian, great- grandma Lina.  My mom has used this recipe since I can remember for all sorts of occasions, but mainly Christmas.  We have these every year for Christmas, as they are delicious and perfect for decorating.  The dough is just as good as the cookie.  I have a hard time describing these cookies to anyone because they are not airy or intensely sweet like classic sugar cookies; they are dense and buttery.  Often mom puts an Anise icing on them which is really nice, but this time Em did a sort of egg white icing that sets beautifully.  I like them plain!  Everyone should experience these at least once in your life.

Taste a Piece of Fall

I have never been much of a pie connoisseur, but it is really quite fun making pies.  An apple pie is especially appropriate on a crisp Fall evening.  Partner it with a smooth latte and a blanket on the porch, and relish in the Autumnal bliss!

I made this pie crust with butter and shortening, creating a flaky, yet shortbread-esque crust.  Mixing pink lady apples and granny smith balanced the sugar just to perfection.  I complain when pies are too sweet to eat.  I tried out some little, Fall cookie cutters that I just couldn't resist at the store.  I just cut little leaves for the crust.  It was fun, but I don't know how well anyone can tell they are leaves.  Speaking of leaves, go kick some around and listen to them crunch...Fall is finally here!

More Cakes in a Cup