LEMONS AND CHOCOLATE
I love this time of year, when it’s still cold enough for hot chocolate but spring is promising to burst out everywhere. Every year at this time that I get a sudden craving for lemon and chocolate in one sitting. Last week the kids and I sat down to homemade lemon pound cake and hot chocolate. But the cake is gone and I’m looking for my next fix.
copyrighted photo used courtesy of Cannelle et Vanille
I love that Aran at Cannelle et Vanille received a bag of Meyer lemons on her doorstep from thoughtful friends. If you’d like to drop off a few at a friend’s doorstep, they may be available at Costco according to Stephmodo. And if you’d like to see some of the magic a pastry chef creates from a gift of lemons, visit Cannelle et Vanille’s recent posts: Chocolate Chiboust and Meyer Lemon Tart, Meyer Lemon Semifreddo and Macarons, Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Meyer Lemon Cream. If you’d rather buy than bake, here is a fun goodie you can give, Lemon Crunch bars from Chocoagogo.
Most people have serious opinions about fruit and chocolate. If you don’t know the chocolate druthers of a friend or hostess, play it safe and keep things separate. Try a batch of Meyer Lemon Lace Tuiles (by Martha) and drop off a few to several different friends with a half pint of chocolate ice cream.
Or just go for pure, unadulterated chocolate. Drinkable chocolate is made by melting tiny chocolate bits into hot milk. A friend of mine (thanks Shanti!) tipped me off about this after seeing it on Unwrapped on the Food Network. And I know a few hot chocolate affecionados who would love it.
Tags: a little gift for a grown-up's birthday, gifts for teachers, gifts from the kitchen, gifts of candy or food, hostess gifts, just because gifts
