Chocolate

Pure Chocolate Wafer

Chocolate Mint

This past weekend we got to talking about chocolate and what makes good chocolate.  Peter and I both love our easy homemade raw chocolate so we shared some with Rob and Doug during their Great Victoria Adventure.  I think they're both sold on the idea, as they asked for the recipe.  So, here it is:

Ingredients:

½ cup melted Cacao butter

½ cup melted coconut oil (for firmer chocolate, sub coconut oil with cacao butter)

½ cup maple or blue agave syrup

1 ½ cup cacao powder (cocoa works too)

½ teaspoon vanilla powder (or flavouring)

Preparation:

Melt Cacao butter in a bowl that is placed over a large pot of hot water. Once melted remove from heat and stir in other ingredients .  Put it in the freezer to firm.

Voila, you’re done!

Notes: 

-       Do not get any water in the chocolate mixture or it could separate

-       We pour it over a sheet of parchment paper for thin wafers

-       You can add nuts, jelly beans, or whatever to suit your tastes

-       If you want to get fancy you can make wafers stuffed with mint or peanut butter or coconut or cashew butter or … well, you get the idea.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

ENJOY!

Jelly Bean Bar

Rob and Doug's Victoria Adventure

We had a weekend visit from two of our Hornby friends this past weekend.  Rob and Doug rolled into town on Friday afternoon and with very little of an agenda in mind, they suggested sampling some beer.  So, we headed off to The Moon Under Water micro-brewery for some beer samples and food, followed by a swim at Rob's favourite pool/hot tub.

On Saturday afternoon, we went with them to visit Jules, Ian, Opal and Beckett.  We invited them to come along for some beer and smoked barbeque, and after some expert moves on Jules' part, Ian and Jules managed to join us for lunch "sans les twins" for the first time!

Peter, Doug, Ian, Jules and Peanut at Smoken Bones.

That evening we went out and Rob and Doug made a new friend in Clive, who just so happens to be the owner of Clive's Classic Lounge at the Chateau Victoria Hotel.  I'm sure the boys would've gone 'out on the town' or hung around longer but Doug unfortunately felt the need to take it easy. So we dropped him back at Chateau Joanne & Garth, and went for another swim.

Rob, Clive and Doug just hanging out.

Saturday January 21st

Our first picnic of 2012 consisted of some Fujiya take-out sushi, sashimi and miso soup at the end of Gorden Head Rd. This was during one of the many sunny periods today, although the winds were a howlin' so we stayed in the car.  Besides, we had to keep Oscar company.

View of the water (through the steamed up window)

Is she going to work or to play?

Yes, it is true, it does snow once and awhile here in the capital city. I am sure it will be gone by the weekend so we will enjoy it while we can. Judith may be the only civil servant at work today!

Sunday Dinners

Today was a real winter day for us.  There was a dusting of snow on the ground and it was downright chilly at only 1 degree above zero Celsius.  However, the sun was shining and there was a little breeze. 

Tonight we had our first traditional-style Sunday dinner this year.  And, I am happy to say it was both good for us and fit our budget!  In fact, it almost met all the dietary restrictions we are trying to meet these days.  We roasted a pork tenderloin we'd found on sale at the local Thrifty's Store, then sliced it thinly to serve on top of our homemade gluten-free buns that were served open-faced, then drizzled with tasty gluten-free gravy.  There was a side of Mock Mashed Potatoes (i.e. cauliflower mashed), and Romaine lettuce with our new house dressing - which is very 'Caesar-like'.  For dessert, we ate some of the ripened (finally) Vancouver Island kiwis (which were also on sale).  Very tasty and quite satisfying.