#dark chocolate ginger bark

[my-52-weeks-with-christie]

Cooking With Christie Outtake!

Dark Chocolate Ginger Bark with Sea Salt, click here for the recipe. Want to make something simple, and if you’ve got better knife skills than I, you can make it look elegant. Then this is the recipe for you! With only four ingredients, it’s quick and easy to make!

[olenvasynyt]

Happy Autumn here’s some Autumn Court dessert recipes!

Marshmallow fluff pumpkin cookies

Chocolate acorns

Brown butter plum up-side down yogurt cake

Vanilla pumpkin skillet cornbread

Spiced carrot pie with nutmeg and gingered orange whipped cream

Nutmeg ginger apple snap

Rye pear galettes with pastry cream

Curly dock cake with mulled wine poached pears

Dark chocolate bark with chia seeds, pretzels and goji berries

[bpbomegaverse]

Omegaverse Master Scent List

Scent description can be a big part of omegaverse. This is a master list of Alpha, Beta and Omega scents I've compiled. I will add to them when new things pop up for me.

Note: Just because I've put a scent in a certain category, doesn't mean you can't use it for one of the other second genders. 🫶 I kind of like that alpha a little more savoury, musky and deep. And omega are more sweet, fresh and light. But that's just my interpretation.

I'm starting with Alpha. I'll update the other two a little later.

Alpha - α

Gardenia

Orange Blossom

Lavender

Black orchid

Violet

Bluebell

Rosewood

Elderflower

Ink

Sparklers

Black Tea

Green tea

Resin

Saffron

Leather

Bark

Pine tree

Burnt wood

Coal/charcoal

Oak Barrel Whiskey

Cedar

Agar wood

Tobacco

Oudh

Driftwood

Oakmoss

Amber (labdanum)

White wood

Rosewood

Musk

Sherry oak

Match (blown out)

Rye Whiskey

Mahogany

Cegar

Wood sage

Almond

Walnut

Tar

Rubber

Moss

Iron

Bronze

Gold

Rust

Ash

Graphite

Vinyl

Smoked meats 

Coriander

Basil

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Paprika (smoked)

Aniseed

Black cherry

Clove

Allspice

Fenugreek

Ginger

Black pepper

Roasted Garlic

Blood orange

Grapefruit

Blackberry

Bergamont

Lemon

Blood Plum

New car smell

Hay

Pesto

Balsamic Vinegar

Sauteed brown onions

Fruit cake

Eucalyptus

Teatree

Wet Dog

Blood

Soap

Fish oil

Marijuana

Lemongrass

Thunderstorms/Petrichor

Smoke

Mud

Wet forest floor

Limestone

Cobolt

Ore

Cactus

Molten rock

Shampoo

Wet cement

Cork

Bush fire

Egyptian dukkah

Jamaican Jerk

Recado rojo

Cajun spice

Chinese five spice

Baharat

Brown sugar

Toffee

Molasses

Apple pie

Tequila 

Dark chocolate

Bacon

Dark roast coffee

Petrol

Gunpowder

Gravy

Cola

Burnt caramel

Bone marrow

Syrah/Shiraz

Cabernet Sauvignon

Port 

Toasted bread

Buttered Popcorn

Dry dog food

Sulphur 

Mustard

Ginger Beer

Meatballs

Olives

Chipotle

Teriyaki

Peri-Peri

Sesame

Jalapeño

[birdgenetics]

What I'd name every chicken color allele if I got to choose:

This is just for fun. Some gene names are very apt and some are just plain confusing! Some have good names in some regions and poor names in others.

E/Extended Black: Already perfection. Tells you exactly what you are getting.

E^R/Birchen: This one is pretty good but it implies a birch tree, which people typically picture as black and white while gold birchen (which is closer to wild type than silver birchen.) However, some species of birches can have golden bark so maybe those who picture silver birchen when I say "birchen" need to touch up their botanical skills.

e+/Duckwing: Apparently this name is so attrocious fanciers decided to rarely use it! Not good! "Duckwing" is in reference to the wing bay (secondary feathers) on roosters bearing some resemblance to the colored speculum (secondary feathers) on ducks. However, this is not a good distinction as Wheaten and Partridge roosters have identical wing colorations to duckwing. Also, why mention ducks when we are talking about chickens? The relation is tenuous. We could define it based on the down color. How about "Chipmunk"? The resemblance to actual chipmunks is uncanny.

e^Wh Wheaten: I could not improve upon this perfection. Not only does it perfectly match the hens, it matches the chicks, too! They are like the golden wheat.

e^b Partridge: Partridge was named after the down color. And it was perfect. They match Hungarian partridge chicks perfectly. Unfortunately, partridge has been ruined by confusion. Too many people have used "partridge" to describe duckwing (in Europe partridge is duckwing and "Asian Partridge" is partridge.) Plus "partridge" is used to describe concentric lacing which isn't the same as just the partridge gene. I propose "Extended Brown." It is called e^b, not e^p. Plus "Extended Brown" exists in quail and it bears many similarities.

Co/Columbian: Sure why not? No confusing this gene. Lots of people misspell it though. (Columbian, not Colombian.)

Db/Darkbrown/Ginger: Ginger, which is what you call a duckwing bird with the ginger gene, describes the effect perfectly. Unfortunately, Dark Brown, not so much. If the abbreviation was just Gi, it would be so much better.

Pg/Pattern Gene: Yes.

Ml/Melanotic: Melanotic is a melanizer? Novel concept!

Cha/Charcoal: Charcoal is a decent descriptor. But I think "Moorhead" is even better.

Mh/Mahogany: Mahogany is a red enhancer. Mahogany is more of a brown wood. I think "Maroon" is a better descriptor but "Mahogany" sounds more natural so I'll allow it.

Di/Dilute: What does it dilute, exactly? Please be more specific. Oh? It dilutes gold and inhibits black a little? Why not call it "Peach" or something, goodness gracious.

ig/Cream: I've also heard it called "Inhibitor of Gold" but I'll stick to cream, thank you.

Cb/Cb/Cream blond/champagne blond: Perhaps I've hallucinated it but I thought this was called champagne blond, not cream blond. Champagne blond is a good descriptor but there can't be two "creams" so that has got to go.

Si/Silver: As opposed to gold. I like it!

B/Barred: Perfect.

choc/Chocolate: Chocolate is the perfect description, however, I must ask, why is the abreviation so long? "choc"? Really?

I/Dominant White: I mean, its more like codominant white, or something. And it only turns the black white, usually. Maybe "Pyle?"

i^d/Dun: Already perfect, unfortunately people keep calling it "chocolate."

Bl/Blue: I know I've complained about the way "blue" often removes the blue sheen, but I actually do consider it a good description of how the pigment is distributed, and it is used in many species of poultry in the same way.

mo/Mottled: Perfect.

c/Recessive White: Probably the best name anyone has ever concieved.

Lav/Lavender: I think "lavender" is just fine but it seems the APA finds it too flowery and insists on calling it "self blue" even though it is not blue and does a lot more than change the eumelanin to blue. Perhpas taking the approach of calling it "pearl-grey" like continental Europe will have the same effect, but I think it's worth a shot. I guess abbreviating it to "pearl" might help it further, considering how much we Americans like our brevity.

[weilongfu]

AkkTheo celebrating a romantic Christmas in Paris~

Prior to his time in France, Akk knew that Christmas was a largely commercial holiday in many countries. Sure it had many more connotations in those countries; a time of being together with family and friends, gathering to share warmth and light in the cold dark, and most importantly the sharing of kindness and generosity. But in Thailand where the bulk of individuals were Buddhist and there was never much of anything in the way of a winter wonderland, the most Akk looked forward to were the Christmas lights in the mall along with cotton fluff snow and maybe a present if his other friends were in the mood to exchange.

So upon moving to Paris for his program and staying with Theo, Akk had a feeling Theo would be more excited for Christmas. The other boy had spent many of his formative years in France, living with a different culture, so naturally, his affinity for the winter holiday would be different than Akk's.

Akk did not anticipate the degree to which he would be correct.

Winter came swiftly upon the European city and Theo was already prepared with piles of sweaters, warm coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. All of which were shared with Akk, who had come completely unprepared for the cold.

"I thought we were going back to Thailand for the winter," Akk groused as he huddled down into his borrowed scarf which smelled like Theo's expensive cologne.

"We'll go back for the new year," Theo promised as he reached for Akk's gloved hand which was further stuffed into a jacket pocket. "I want you to experience Christmas here with me! We'll get mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, maybe make a croquembouche and decorate it like a Christmas tree..." Theo rambled on and Akk took a mental snapshot of Theo's sparkling eyes against the backdrop of nighttime Paris, awash in the gold and red of Christmas lights. It would have had to be a color print, Akk decided, for only then could the wash of colors in Theo's brown hair be truly appreciated.

As Christmas approached, Akk watched as lights went up in their shared apartment along with a genuine pine tree that Theo bought from a tree lot and had Akk help him drag up the three flights of stairs. The entire apartment was filled with the smell of pine which made Akk sneeze until he acclimated. Boxes of old ornaments from Theo's grandmother were brought out and Theo told Akk the story of each ornament painted by a child Theo.

Their date nights after classes were spent going to shops to see their Christmas displays. Gifts on sale were purchased for family along side cups of warm mulled wine as Theo promised. Akk made a particular attempt to keep his gift secret, waiting for Theo to wander off to the other side of the jewelry shop before purchasing it.

Instead of gingerbread cookies, Theo could only find ginger snaps filled with bourbon cream which Akk found overly sticky and sweet, until he had one with extra bourbon and sprinkled with a hint of nutmeg. Dark chocolate oranges, however, became Akk's favorite holiday treat as opposed to Theo's preference for peppermint bark.

Christmas day itself was spent with a late morning, Akk refused to get out of their warm bed to face the cold morning, but emerged once Theo made coffee. Afternoon lunch was cold sandwiches as they both worked to prepare their private holiday dinner.

Shopping for the smallest turkey possible had still been quite a task and Akk was sure they'd be eating its remains for the next two months. Theo had also insisted on other traditional items like gougeres, roasted carrot soup, gratin dauphinois, and green beans almondine.

"It'll be worth the work," Theo promised as he sliced potatoes on the mandolin. "You'll see."

"I can't even pronounce half these dishes, Theo," Akk said as he mixed choux pastry for the gougeres.

"You don't have to pronounce them. Just eat them with me later."

After all their hard work, Akk had to admit that the small dining table lit with candles and decorated with holly was quite romantic, even with all their dishes piled around it. Theo fed Akk the first bite of everything and Akk begrudgingly admitted that the traditional dinner had been quite good.

Snow began to fall again as Theo and Akk looked out over the Paris skyline, glasses of dessert wine in hand. "So, how was your first Christmas in Paris," Theo asked as he took a sip, his other hand fussing about in one of his cardigan pockets.

"Colder than I expected," Akk replied before thrusting a small jewelry box at Theo. "So here's your reward for making Christmas interesting."

Theo frowned. "That's not the point of Christmas," he said as he took the box. "I- Oh..." Theo's expression softened as he looked at the silver bracelet with a camera charm.

"Just something small," Akk said with as much nonchalance in his voice as he could spare. "I know I already gave you a ring but..."

Theo huffed and finally pulled out what he'd been fussing with in his cardigan pocket. "Then here, this is for you. Something just as small." In the candlelight, Akk realized it was one of the other bracelets from the jewelry store, the one with a book charm instead.

With one hand, Akk gently accepted the bracelet and with his other, he cupped Theo's cheek and pulled him in for a kiss.

In the coming Christmases, regardless of where Theo and Akk were, Akk's photo of their clasped hands with matching bracelets shining in the light was always in the forefront of their decorations.

[memories-of-starz]

My OCS :)

Black Tea Cookie- A shy girl who runs a cafe with her brother, Half Moon Cookie (one of @alex-just-vibing OCS) Also cousin of Espresso and Latte

Toffee Cookie- A teacher at Parfadia Institute. Married to Black Tea

Peppermint Bark Cookie- A substitute teacher at Parfadia Institute. A regular at the Lunar Cafe

S'mores Cookie (I changed quite a bit about them sooo...)- The advisor of Dark Cacao after Affogato leaves for the Cookies of Darkness.

Chocolate Strawberry Cookie- A paladin in the Creme Republic. Basically adopted by Grand Madeline

Caramel Apple Cookie- A model. A cousin of Caramel Arrow

Blueberry Lemon Cookie- Also a model. Has a little tension with Caramel Apple (but in a gay way)

Ginger Chamomile Cookie- One of the elders after the Mille-Feure and Carnele scandal

Linzer Tart Cookie- Knight of the Hollyberry Kingdom.

Benye Cookie- A ghost that haunts the Creme Republic

[callistochan87]

nothing major but enjoy part of a 2700 word excerpt from what I'm writing because this is the most i've written in a sitting so far

first draft obviously, edits required? yes. but hey. i have been struggling so I'm trying to find what accountability i can. please enjoy this thing that was intended to be one scene and instead spanned about half a typical chapter length. i cut it before it started getting too sad, but also because lol i hit tumblr's post limit

also description? what's that? i have avoided the curse of newbie writers so hard i have transcended description entirely

Eric presented the package with a flourish, a card and a small hinged box that could, and would double as a decorative something.

Christine looked at it. He never usually got her Valentine’s gifts beyond some nice chocolates or something practical they’d both wanted, so the display felt off. He was perfectly aware of this.

She read the card, smiled briefly, and then opened the box. Inside were two large chocolate bars, some sort of small-batch, fair-trade chocolate that had an air of high quality. These two were book themed, judging by the wrappers—one, ginger and nori with dark chocolate; the other, she didn’t see the ingredients, but the wrapper caught her eye. Alice in Wonderland-themed, perhaps a bit stereotypical, but she had always tolerated Eric and her father making reference to it.

That was Eric’s usual Valentine’s Day fare. No, It was the little box that provoked examination. It looked like jewelry, and Eric knew this was an unusual turn. She didn’t wear jewelry besides her wedding ring and the two titanium hoops in her ears, worn because they were easy to remove or put back in and simple enough not to get snagged on anything.

“What’s this?” she said. She was turning it over in her hands and not actually opening it. It didn’t help it had been a repurposed ring box.

“You could open it,” Eric suggested.

Eric sat down next to her on the couch and watched. He was well aware of the unusualness if this particular gift but…he had to do something more than usual, because this year was different from past ones. He’d seen the way she often lapsed into silence and let conversations drift around her, the way she spent too much time hunched over her mother’s old notebooks, or the split-second hesitation as she white-knuckle gripped a box of her mother’s old clothes to go to the Salvation Army.

“You don’t usually get me anything else,” she said, discomfort on her face, “I didn’t get you anything. That’s how we usually do it.”

“It’s not a transaction,” Eric said.

“Look, Christmas was bad enough,” she said, an embarrassed flush creeping up on her face, “This makes it even more lopsided—“

“I said it’s not a transaction,” he repeated, “I’m not keeping score. Please, open it.”

Christine finally fumbled with the box. Inside was a deep purple-blue crystal, unpolished. The bottom still resembled rock, but the top part caught the light, casting bright purple highlights across Christine’s hands. He had thought it a small rock, but it looked larger in her hands. He couldn’t read her expression, but she smiled a sort of half-smile.

“It's a crystal. You have tons of those already. Quartz? No, amethyst. Yeah. You have tons of amethyst already.”

“It’s iolite,” he says, adjusting his glasses, “Mined up near Ghost Lake. I got it from a guy in Grande Prairie.”

“Ghost Lake? Where’s that?”

He made a so-so motion with his hands. “If you’re looking on a map? A bit south, south-west, of Wekweètı̀.”

"You had to pay a guy from Grande Prairie for this when you could've gone up to Ghost Lake yourself?” She smiled wider. This was the a joke. He didn’t think he’d be so relieved at a joke.

"I know you don't like camping," he said with a laugh, "If you don't like it at actual, government-owned campsites, I'm not about to charter a plane to fly you out into the bush.”

She gave a short bark of a laugh. “Well, it’s very pretty, thank you. I think there’s a spot in one of your display cases, next to the tourmaline chunk you got for your birthday—”

“Please don’t call it a ‘chunk’,” he said with a laugh, “That sounds weird.”

She made as if to give the iolite back to him, but he closed her hand around it. She gave him a look—God, too much like her mother and he didn’t even think she realized it—and did that same sort of half-laugh.

“This is your gift,” he said.

“Eric, we both know this is a gift for you with my name on it,” she said, “You said that about the quartz and the amethyst, and that big geode you had to have, and they all wound up in your display case eventually. Go on and put this one in there too.”

He glanced around. She wasn’t wrong. His collection had started out on a spare shelf on one of the bookshelves, before slowly eating away at the remaining space, and then onto a second bookshelf and a decorative shelf in the bedroom. Christine didn’t collect much, but it was limited to a small selection of things at the equally small computer desk. Things like books on aliens and holographic stickers and her latest collection appeared to be her mother’s notebooks, carefully left under the desk, with just enough space for her to tuck her legs underneath. Those were new, and a worrying new acquisition.

Still, she liked purple. Most of the things she had collected, if she’d had a choice, were purple. Every time he saw something purple, he thought of her. Unfortunately, yes, past gifts had made their way into display cases “for safety”, but he was adamant this one wouldn’t.

“No, I mean it. It’s yours.”

“Eric, what am I supposed to do with it?” she said, with a bit of a laugh, “Stick it in my pocket and wind up ruining the washing machine?”

“Well, don’t do that,” he said.

“It’s too big for a necklace,” she said, turning it over in her hands, “I’d sink to the bottom of the lake if I wore that.”

“No it’s not,” he said, a spark coming to mind, “Hey, Shelby’s been making those macrame necklaces lately, I could ask her to put it on a string?”

“Go ahead and ask your sister if you want, she’ll say the exact same thing,” she said, “I…oh come on, don’t look so put out. You know I don’t carry much stuff on me. I forget my purse half the time. I don’t have a lucky rock that I keep in my pocket. I get why you got it, but we both know it’ll wind up in your rock collection sooner or later. Better to put it in there now so it’s safe.”

“I want you to have something to remind you of me, when I’m away.”

“Eric, every rock reminds me of you. It’s not tied to a specific rock. Your whole stupid rock collection is a constant reminder of you when you’re not here,” she said. The ‘stupid’ was said with affection.

“Come on, I know you. You saw a shiny new rock on one of your geologist listservs somewhere and decided you wanted it, but it’s ‘mine’ because it’s purple. Okay, fine. You can put all ‘my’ stuff in a separate case, how’s that? We can put it on the dresser or something.”

“Would you show it off if I did that?”

“Show it off to who? No one comes over.”

“Your dad comes over,” he says, “My family comes over.”

“I’m sure your parents have seen enough purple rocks for a lifetime, but sure, I’ll show it to them if they ask.”

She leaned back against the couch and he followed suit, putting an arm around her shoulder. It wasn’t quite a cuddle.

“You can’t wait for them to ask,” he said, “Because they won’t.”

“I just gotta ambush them as soon as they walk in?”

“Exactly.”

She gave a little amused smile. It wasn’t enough to fill him with joy, but it was a much better streak that he’d seen since Christmas, so

Eric took that as a win.

[the-official-kotlcopedia]

Elven Medicine

Medicinal Plants

Dimmetines, Hushspurs, Respitillis, Vesperlace - The combination of these 4 night-blooming plants inspired the precious lyrics that banish the echoes of shadowflux. (Created by Flori)

Aethrials, Dreamlilise, Reveriebells, Sweetshades - The combination of these 4 plants allows for nightmares to subside. (Created by Calla.)

Aethrials- Identified by their soft songs and small light-colored petals, it can be used as a weak sedative. It is one of the flowers used in an efflorescence site.

Dimmetines- A small flowering plant that thrives in darkness, the plants tune is commonly described as “earthy.”

Dreamlilies- They are teal in color with ominous, pointed petals. The flowers' pollen is extremely sedative- just touching the pollen is enough to sedate a fully-grown elf. In the Sanctuary they are woven into a lei when used to sedate animals. They were hybridized with other sleep-inducing plants (Aethrials, and Sweetshades) by Calla to create the Reveriebells. (These flowers were also found at efflorescence sites.)

Hushspurs- Flowering vines that can only be found growing in the trunks of trees. Because these plants are only found in the trunks of trees, there is not much known about them.

Panakes Tree- Panakes are a Gnomish plant capable of aiding the healing of any ailment through their blossoms and petals. Panakes trees are created when a Gnome sacrifices themself to create one by turning themselves into a panakes tree. They have colored blossoms that can change color; they are usually pink, purple, or blue hues. The Panakes bears a significant resemblance to a willow tree. (Let it be noted that when sung to by a gnome (Flori) it seems that the tree blooms more vibrantly.

Pures (Purfoliage Palmae) - Pures, are the most common tree in the Lost Cities. They are described to have mammoth trunks, with burnt sienna bark that is braided up it. They have hunter green leaves that are shaped like a fan paintbrush. Their leaves are known to filter out any pollution or imperfections in the air; Due to the high quantity of Pures in Eternalia, the air quality there is the best in the world. There is always one in every house and city. The crisp, cool air it provides is described to smell like cinnamon, chocolate, and sunshine. Every piece of land in the Lost Cities has at least one Pure, to cleanse the air.

Respitillis- These delicate flowers can be found growing in 4 different locations. The are identified by their pointed white petals, and hooked anthers.

Reveriebells- Reveriebells are a special hybrid of flowers that Calla made for Sophie to help her sleep.  Some of the flowers emit sweet scents that can make a person sleepy and cause mild fatigue. The purple flowers smell like gardenias, a hint of vanilla, and something spicy (such as ginger).  They show several layers of fluffy petals that have a slight ombre-effect of dark to light, along with several pointed leaves and a long twisting stem. Many stamens appear at the end of the flower, giving off a slightly lily-esque appearance.

Starglass Flower - The Starglass Flower is used for a variety of purposes. Its nectar is the main ingredient in the production of Somnalene, which is a sedative -like liquid that is used in the form of eye drops.

Sugarbells - Sugarbelles are tiny pink flowers used by physicians to make medicine. Despite the sparkly, pink look of the nectar, these flowers taste terrible. A vial of nectar can heal a patient who has been affected by shadowflux.

Sweetshades - The sleep inducing Sweetshades are identified by their "lacy pink blossoms". They are grown mostly as sleep aids. They grow in marshy wet grounds. Sweetshades were used to create the hybrid plant reveriebells.

Vesperlace - In the daytime, it appears as a wispy vine with leaves of a darker shade that has small clusters of pearl white buds. It is said to only bloom at night, though its night-form is not well known. It is only able to grow in the darkest points of the most silent forests. According to Flori, its melody is like the rhythm of darkness, that is the same pulse as that of the echoes.

Please keep in mind that most of this information can be found on the Kotlc wiki and within the Keeper books themselves.

Written By: @nyxpixels

[tuttle-did-it]

Behind a paid subscription wall. I HATE paywalls. After a lot of cricking my neck to see what I could make out, finally managed to put it together. Added normal measurements as it's originally in US.

Yield: 12 brownies

1/2 cup / 60 grams cocoa

1/2 cup / 113g butter

2 eggs

1 cup / 201g sugar

1/4 / 31.2g cup flour

1 cup / 150g chopped or broken walnuts*

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Step 1 Heat oven to 325 F / 162.7 degrees.

Step 2 Melt butter in saucepan with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.

Step 3 In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, nuts and salt. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined.

Step 4 Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars.

*I have a nut allergy, so I would replace the walnuts with something else. Things I have used in the past:

chopped pretzels,

coconut flakes,

chopped stem ginger,

oreo or other digestive/biscuit bits (jaffa cakes are nice),

bits of crushed honeycomb (before Americans ask, not the actual honeycomb from bees, but the sweets. Well. Never tried the stuff from bees, but as it's mostly wax I don't think it would work)

chocolate chips/chunks/callets/buttons (dark or white, ruby, mint, butterscotch, kendal mint cake, caramel pieces, billionaires, etc), or other chocolate candy like crispy M&Ms, Terry's oranges, peppermint bark, chopped up

pumpkin or sunflower seeds (not my favourite, but fine),

dried / dehydrated fruit - cranberries, apricots, figs, raspberries, ginger, cherries, etc.

Most of the conversions were taken from here - https://coolconversion.com/ because I have no idea what the hell a "cup" means. All the cups in my cupboard are different sizes.

i don’t know if you’re taking propaganda for her right now but these are literally THEE best brownies you will ever have. katharine hepburn knew what she was talking about

[gabriellachocolatesconfections]

An Exploration Of The Bold Fusion Of Dark Chocolate And Spicy Treats

The fusion of dark chocolate and spice creates a culinary adventure that excites the taste buds with a daring combination of deep, bittersweet cocoa and fiery heat. This pairing, often referred to as "dark chocolate spicy," is a modern twist on ancient traditions, marrying the antioxidant-rich properties of dark chocolate with the bold flavors of various spices. This blog explores the history, health benefits, popular spice pairings, and ways to enjoy this bold treat.

Historical Roots of Spicy Chocolate

The blend of chocolate and spice dates back thousands of years to ancient Mesoamerica, where civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans prepared xocolatl, a spicy chocolate drink. Originally, this beverage was made from ground cocoa beans mixed with spices like chili and was consumed for its stimulant properties and supposed medicinal benefits. Today, the tradition of spicy chocolate continues but has evolved into a more refined delicacy that can be enjoyed in solid forms like bars, truffles, and barks.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Spicy Creations

Combining dark chocolate with spice not only tantalizes the palate but also offers notable health benefits:

Rich in Antioxidants: Dark chocolate is laden with antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which are known for their role in promoting heart health and reducing inflammation.

Metabolism Boosting: Spices, particularly chili, contain capsaicin, which has metabolism-boosting properties. Capsaicin can increase the amount of heat your body produces, making you burn more calories per day.

Mood Enhancing: Chocolate is famous for its ability to boost mood by increasing serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. The added spices can amplify these effects, providing a warming sensation 

that enhances overall satisfaction.

Popular Spices in Dark Chocolate Spicy Treats

Several spices pair exceptionally well with the rich flavor of dark chocolate:

Chili: The most popular choice, chili peppers like cayenne or chipotle add a significant heat that highlights the chocolate's deep flavors.

Cinnamon: Often used for a subtle warmth, cinnamon complements the natural sweetness of the chocolate.

Ginger: Adds a sharp, spicy burst that contrasts with the smoothness of dark chocolate.

Black Pepper: Introduces a surprisingly pleasant bite that pairs well with dark chocolate.

Making Your Own Dark Chocolate Spicy Treats

Creating your own dark chocolate spicy treats at home is both fun and straightforward. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

200 grams of high-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)

1 teaspoon of ground chili pepper (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)

A pinch of fine sea salt

Preparation:

Gently melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Once fully melted, stir in the chili pepper, cinnamon, and sea salt until well combined.

Pour the chocolate mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it out to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Allow the chocolate to cool and set at room temperature, or place in the refrigerator to harden quicker.

Once set, break into pieces or cut into desired shapes.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Dark chocolate spicy treats can be savored on their own or used to add a zesty twist to various dishes. Consider the following ideas:

Dessert Toppings: Sprinkle pieces of your spicy chocolate creation over ice cream or mixed into yogurt.

Baking Ingredient: Use chopped spicy chocolate in cookies or brownies for an added kick.

Beverage Enhancer: Melt a piece into your coffee for a spicy mocha or into hot milk for a warming nighttime drink.

Conclusion

The daring combination of dark chocolate with spicy elements offers a sensory experience that is both unique and indulgent. Perfect for those who love a bit of heat with their sweets, dark chocolate spicy treats are not just delicious; they're a celebration of flavor and history. Whether you're experimenting at home or enjoying pre-made varieties, this bold treat is sure to bring a little extra zest to your chocolate indulgences.

[queennicoleinboots]

Patches' Nightmare, part 4

We set up our Wild Hooves' Popsicle and Ice Cream Sandwich stand after a week and a half of creating business plans, marketing, and coming up with 250+ popsicle/ice cream/burger/hot dog/sandwich recipes.

We also went thousands of years into the future by jumping into the portal at the bottom of the mountain.

In the midst of time travel, let's just say we saw Scooby Doo in 3D, and he was uglier and healthier than ever before. But he was a great marketer, so he was now part of the think tank behind Wild Hooves' Sandwich Shoppe.

King Dark Chocolate Blueberry Gummy Bear recommended that we don't advertise all of our flavors and convince people to come with only our most delicious flavors. He didn't want other people stealing our ideas for a popsicle stand/sandwich shop.

Scooby Doo then suggested a graham cracker gingerbread ice cream sicle as our marketing flavor. He then giggled his trademark giggle.

King White Chocolate Strawberry Gummy Bear suggested that we have a Scooby Doo flavor that is gluten-free.

Jaybird then materialized in the middle of the drawing board and came up with Gluten-free Scooby Doo Snack flavor - ginger buckwheat, skim milk ice cream flavor with stevia.

King Napoleon-covered Cherry Gummy Bear then suggested macadamia nut flavored popsicles.

I suggested they make oatmeal raisin-flavored popsicles.

"Wouldn't that just be oatmeal mixed in with grape flavor?" the stankass wild wolf asked.

Patches growled at him.

"I'M JUST SAYING!" the stankass wild wolf shouted.

"For marketing purposes, it should be oatmeal raisin cremesicles," Scooby Doo said in his goofy ass voice.

Patches started to growl.

"Patches, please! And yes, that is the more marketable way to sell grape popsicles with oatmeal on them," Lindsay said.

"IS IT GRAPE OATMEAL or OATMEAL RAISIN CREMESICLE?!" Jaybird asked in alarm.

"Yes," I said.

Jaybird's head exploded.

"That's the second head explosion in the last epoch," King White Chocolate Strawberry Gummy Bear pointed out.

"Shucks! I guess we're doing both," Scooby Doo said in his goofy ass voice.

"Carrington's head exploded back in 723 A.D. It would have exploded again hearing those two flavors being sold at the same popsicle stand. Fuck it. Let's do it!" Nugget said.

"Yep," the stankass wild wolf said.

Patches growled.

"You never know! Some people might like grapes in their oatmeal!" Cody exclaimed.

King Milk Chocolate Peach Gummy Bear burst out in laughter.

"Even the preposterous makes sense this year," Lindsay said with a smile. "Thank God Nugget contributed to the group discussion for once."

"We have to consider all diets," Chocolat said.

"Yes we do. Thank you, Lindsay. You are making progress with me. I appreciate it," Nugget said with a small bark.

Patches growled in song.

"Yes. It's becoming a headache," Fresa said as she rubbed her head.

She was giving ME a headache.

"Okay! Stay focused. We need flavors," King Dark Chocolate Blueberry Gummy Bear said.

"Mixed Berry," I said.

"No. Fuck adding raspberry and blackberry. Those are separate," King Dark Chocolate Blueberry Gummy Bear said.

"How about Very Berry - blueberry, strawberry, grape, cranberry, gooseberry and Blackabee Berry - blackberry, cranberry, currant, and raspberry?" I countered.

"We'll do that," King Napoleon-covered Cherry Gummy Bear said with a nod.

Patches sang in approval.

"Are 24 popsicle flavors good enough for this stand? I mean, it's a bitch to get good flavors," I said.

"Yes!" King White Chocolate Strawberry Gummy Bear answered.

"It's exciting!" King Milk Chocolate Peach Gummy Bear exclaimed.

"They have spoken," Kings Dark Chocolate Blueberry and Napoleon-covered Cherry Gummy Bears said in unison.

"Thus the Wild Hooves Popsicle Stand With Sandwiches has been borne!" Cody announced with a bark.

---------------------------------------------------------

Patches meowed loudly and yawned as she awakened in February 2024. Then she looked at Lindsay calmly and wondered in her head what the hell just happened in that nightmare.

[7coweyes]

Allegiances

Outsiders

Wanderers

Mouse(long furred, chocolate and red tabby molly) Spot(short furred, gray and white tabby tom) Rat(Long furred, flame tabby point molly) Bark(Short furred, chocolate molly with a white belly) Bluebell(Long furred, gray and white tabby molly) Gate(long furred, gray and white molly) Mask(short furred, brown color point molly) Q(short furred, fawn tom)

Barn Cats

Firefly(Long furred, flame tabby point tom) Red(Long furred, flame tabby point molly) Tuna(Short furred, gray and cream tabby jack) Lucy(Short furred, black and white molly)

House cats

Burger(Short furred, brown jack) Fries(long furred, ginger tabby tom) Garfield(short furred, ginger tabby tom with a black paw) Prince(long furred, cream tabby jack) Buddy(short furred, blue tom)

Kin of the Rabbit

First

Lion’Apple(Long furred, golden tabby jack)

Second

Maple’Spine(Short furred, gray and cream molly)

Medic

Quail’Throat(Short furred, brown, gray and white tabby tom)

Guide

Marigold’Sun(Short furred, cream and gray tabby molly)

Gardener

Crow’Nut(Long furred, black jack)

Hunter

Hare’Claw(Short furred, brown and white tabby molly) Sand’Ear(Short furred, pale ginger tabby tom)(Step-Slug) Honey’Pelt(Long furred, cream and white tabby molly) Night’Nose(Short furred, black tom)

Steps

Slug(Short furred, brown and white tabby tom)

Caretaker

Dawn’Heart(long furred, gray tom)(kitten - Dot(long furred, gray and white tabby jack))

Senior

Mist’Foot(Short furred, gray tabby molly)

Kin of the Sparrow

Head

Fumitory’Tree(curly furred, blue tom)

Paws

Fog’Blaze(curly furred, blue and white molly) Shadow’Fur(long furred, black tom)

Medic

Hornet’Face(Short furred, black and red molly)(Step- Star)

Guide

Moon’Light(Long furred, white jack)

Weaver

Pigeon’Vine(Long furred, brown and white tabby tom)(Step- Spider)

Hunter

Wren’Fang(Long  furred, brown and red tabby molly)(Step-Soot) Oak’Bark(Short furred, brown and red tabby molly)(Step-Murk) Glowing’Dust(Short furred, white tom) Black’Feather(Short furred, black molly) Berry’Grass(Short furred, gray with black stripes tom)

Steps

Spider(Short furred, red tabby molly) Soot(Long furred, black and white tabby tom) Murk(Short furred, blue jack) Star(Long furred, black tom with white spots)

Caretaker

Short’Cloud(Short furred, black tabby molly) Brindle’Wing(Long furred, brown tabby jack) (kittens- Tiny(short furred, black tom), Stripe(long furred, brown tabby molly))

Senior

Kin of the Trout

Robin’Bee(Short furred, red and gray molly)

Jay’Seed(curly furred, blue jack)

Guide

Plum’Wish(sparse furred, white, lilac and cream molly)

Medic

Pear’Leaf(Short furred, cream and gray tom)

Trainer

Fish’Paw(Short furred, silver and white tabby tom)(step - Turtle) Egg’Web(Short furred, white jack)(step - Blossom) Wolf’Belly(Short furred, gray tabby tom)(Trainer step-Eagle’Pounce)

Trainer step

Eagle’Pounce(Short furred, brown tabby molly)

Hunter

Velvet’Water(Short furred, lilac tabby jack) ‎‎Needle’Ash(short furred, dark gray tom)

Steps

‎Turtle(Short furred, lilac and cream molly) Blossom(Short furred, brown tabby and white tom)

Caretaker

‎Frost’Silk(Short furred, silver and white molly)(kittens- White(long furred, white molly), Gray(Short furred, gray and white tabby molly), Yellow(Short furred, gray tabby tom))

Senior

‎Drift’hail(Short furred, brown tabby molly) Samon’Fire(Short furred, ginger and brown jack)

Kin of the Mole

Council

‎‎Orchid’Mane(short furred, black molly)(step - Lemon) Cloudy’Sky(long furred, white and silver molly) Mint’Strike(Short furred, tan tom)

Medic

Hare’Rain(Short furred, brown tabby jack)

Guide

‎Fox’Breeze(long furred, red and black tabby tom)

Tunnelers

‎Fidget’Flower(short furred, black molly) ‎Bug’Prance(long furred, cream and white tabby tom)(Step-Heather)

Hunter

Root’Owl(short furred, cream tabby jack)(Step-Goose) ‎Lucky’Shade(long furred, white jack) ‎Acorn’bird(long furred, seal point tom)(Step-Branch) ‎Lizard’Twig(Short furred, caramel tabby with black strips molly)(step-Coyote)

Steps

Lemon(short furred, cream and white jack) ‎Heather(long furred, fawn, caramel and white molly) Goose(Short furred, white tom) ‎Branch(short furred, brown and white tom) Dog(long furred, brown tabby molly)

Senior

‎Fire’Talon(Short furred, red tabby molly)