The peanut butter flavor in Dove’s new candy dominates over the chocolate.
“A special moment deserves a special chocolate,” states the PROMISES candy wrapper we’ve just plucked from the bag of Dove’s new Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate bite-sized candies. That special moment is now. There were also two special moments a few minutes ago, and we have a feeling we’ll be looking for excuses to have special moments all day—or as long as our bag of peanut butter chocolates lasts. (There is also a 3.5-ounce chocolate bar, and both are available in dark chocolate as well as milk chocolate. PB follows Dove Caramel PROMISES, with a creamy caramel center)
We’ve always been a fan of Dove chocolates, and especially love nibbling on their dark chocolate bites as a light, yet oh-so-satisfying dessert after dinner. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to a coffee break, or a low-calorie sweet treat whenever you need one (55 calories for two pieces).
So it was no surprise that there was a mad dash in THE NIBBLE offices to try the new flavor. The candies have just enough smooth chocolate to encase the creamy, peanut butter middle, which makes them different from that other popular brand of chocolate-covered PB candy. There, you taste more chocolate than PB. Here, the PB flavor soars.
Each individual piece and bar also comes with an encouraging PROMISE message inside the wrapper, urging us to feel good about ourselves, expand our horizons or just plain enjoy life. We, however, need no inspiration beyond spying a piece of orange-foil-wrapped chocolate still in the bag.
By the way, if you have an upcoming special occasion—birthday party, shower or anything where the attendees like to eat chocolate—Dove will personalize the message inside the wrapper for you. Visit MyDoveChocolate.com.
Dove will be giving away several bags of these tasty treats in The Nibble Gourmet Giveaway in a few weeks. But while you wait, check out this week’s Gourmet Giveaway.
Ordering a retro Pu Pu Platter, an assortment of Chinese restaurant appetizers, is fun—and sounds so much more interesting than “assorted appetizers.” The concept can be applied to dessert at your place. Instead of serving one big piece of cake or pie, provide 4 or 5 small tastes of assorted favorites: bites of lemon squares or brownies, mini tarts or flans, mousse or a smoothie in a shot glass, a bite-size key lime cookie, a piece of toffee. No one will pooh-pooh this dessert.
September 2, 2009 at 11:20 am
· Filed under Chocolate
In these days of burgeoning same sex marriages and commitment ceremonies, no one makes more delicious cake toppers than NYC chocolatier Martine Leventer, a pioneer in edible cake toppers. After all, floral cake toppers die, and who needs to stumble across a dusty ceramic cake topper in the attic in 10 years? If it’s fine handmade Belgian chocolate, you can enjoy it when you get back from the honeymoon!
The wedding cake toppers stand about 4½” tall, in dark, milk or white chocolate. There are suave grooms in tuxedos and sleek brides in slim runway gowns (chocolate), at $25 per pair. If your brides are old-fashioned, there are “Classic Romantic Brides” in billowing wedding gowns at $35 per pair (more chocolate!). In either style, the gown and bouquet (or tux and boutonniere) can be custom-colored to match the theme of the ceremony. You can buy just one, of course.
Even if no one is marching down the aisle, these cake toppers are charming gifts for committed same-sex couples. You can order them online or by phone; or if you’re in New York City, visit Martine at 400 East 82nd Street (right off 1st Avenue) or her boutique at Bloomingdale’s, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. Or head directly to MartinesChocolates.com.
We love Martine’s whipped-cream-filled chocolates. Read our review.
Most people know about aloe vera. It’s an attractive succulent plant that’s often kept on the kitchen windowsill because its sap is soothing to burns and cuts.
The same gel-like sap that has medicinal and cosmetic uses is also made into beverages and other foods, popular in Asia. They can be absolutely delicious—juicy, fruity and fun—they’re filled with chewy pieces of aloe pulp. The challenge over the years we’ve been tasting them in the U.S. has been that they’ve been limited to Asian grocery distribution.
Now, through an arrangement with Ito-en, maker of the Top Pick Teas’ Tea line of bottled teas that have wide distribution in premium food markets, you’ll be seeing more of Alo Original Alo Drink (it’s also available online). It’s a better sweet drink for kids, who will love the floating pieces of aloe pulp and the groovy colors, and it’s hip and sophisticated for adults. Alo is a juice drink, a cocktail mixer and can be frozen into popsicles.
September is Mushroom Month! In addition to their normal place in recipes, mushrooms can be served almost anywhere—atop pasta, as a side dish (great with meat and poultry), as an hors d’oeuvre on toasted baguette slices (topped with some fresh chives or parsley), on sandwiches, as a side with eggs at breakfast, as a plate garnish with most dishes—even as a snack on a slice of toast with a cup of tea. We sauté a large batch mixed mushrooms and keep them in the refrigerator, microwaving them as needed. Depending on what we find at the store, we’ll slice porcinis, portabellas, shiitakes, criminis or cultivated white mushrooms. Other times we’ll cook up whole chanterelles or trumpets. Whatever captures your fancy, slice and sauté 1 pound of mushrooms in 1/4 cup of butter or olive oil with 2 sliced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon fresh herbs—sage, rosemary or thyme. Add good red wine if you have some. Cook over medium-high heat until browned, stirring frequently. Remove from the flame and stir in a 1/8 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. The mushrooms will keep for a week or more.
