Hiya friends! Have a quick sec for a little story involving knitting and chocolate?

chocolate photo by John Loo via Flickr

About a week ago I was busy working on the final touches for next month's Stumptown pattern and needed a break. I went to the website of one of my favorite chocolate makers (Vosges) aaaand five hours later had designed a truffle and entered a contest with it.

Now my truffle is in the running to actually get made!

It's down to voting now. I wish they would just pick the one they like but alas, I get to beg ask everyone to vote for me instead. It's obnoxious, I know, but I really want to win this thing!

Photo by Windell Oskay via Flickr

Ratcha Anachak Thai

by Star Athena | 

Vote here

Truffle Ingredients & Inspiration:
I often find myself gathered with friends… talking, eating, playing, knitting, sharing, dreaming. We talk of travel, love, ideas, and chocolate.

I recently dreamed of a milk chocolate truffle while eating noodles with friends at a local food cart. The spicy peanut sauce kept us warm in the Portland rain.

ingredients:
+ Peanut Butter
+ Galangal/Ginger
+ Brown Sugar
+ Coconut Milk
+ Lime
+ Cayenne
+ Finished with a dusting of toasted sesame seeds

I long to share these truffles with friends at our next gathering as we knit and daydream together. I expect they would disappear quickly!

Like it? Please vote for me here. Tell your friends too, if you're feeling extra kind! Thank you all!

July 2011

This is what summer has brought me so far...

Adventures in Yogurtsville

Really spell check? Yogurtsville isn't a word?

So, I make my own yogurt now. I feel very old fashioned and very modern at the same time. I especially love that there are no more plastic containers involved. If you are at all interested, this is what I use: Euro Cuisine Automatic Yogurt Maker, White

Here is how it is going so far:

First attempt: I used whole cow milk, real maple syrup, and greek yogurt as a starter. Results were amazing. I had seven little jars of sweet, rich, fresh yogurt. Lucky me!



Second attempt: I got cocky. I make yogurt now, I can do anything! The booklet said soy milk was fine. So I tried almond milk. The booklet didn't mention almond milk but I assumed that was simply an oversight. You know, I'm talking about milk made from almonds. What could go wrong? I used that with vanilla and nancy's non-fat yogurt as a starter. Results were different. I made a yogurt-y drink. Almond milk is too different to work it turns out. I drank all of it anyway. It was still tasty.



Third attempt is today. I am using whole milk, maple syrup, and greek yogurt again. While it forms I am going record shopping, Little Big Burger eating and then ice cream waffle sandwich indulging after that.

My goodness the things I do when I should be doing something else!