Blasted Tea Toddlers

After sweating to death on our girl power family walk around the Pasadena Rose Bowl, it was time to eat. Even as hot as it was, I wanted to try Zona Rosa Caffe's to see what their hot chocolate was like. However, I was overruled by my tea toddling family members.

Once we changed out of our walking clothes, we were off to tea. My mother and sister, the girly ones out of the family, enjoy having tea at the Tea Rose Garden. As we turned onto Raymond Avenue, a tear appeared in my eye as my husband and I use to live off of Raymond and walk around in the vicinity for groceries, dining and entertainment. Oh well. We will return again...one day.

Still fuming from missing my sole opportunity for a hot chocolate adventure, I participated in my first tea experience. I ordered the English Tea which includes a scone, tea and finger sandwich of your choice, along with a petal salad, fresh fruit and rose sugar cookie. My sandwich of choice was the Goat Cheese & Sun-Dried Tomato Sandwich. As for my tea, I selected the Berry Passion Tea and a Lemon Raspberry Scone.

I must admit, I enjoyed myself. We all ordered different sandwiches and scones so we could share our tea house treats. My Lemon Raspberry Scone ranked 1st among us girls and my favorite sandwich was my sister's Cranberry Chicken Sandwich.

This was absolutely an enjoyable experience. Normally, I would be fixating over the fact I did not have the opportunity to try a new hot chocolate. However, I will definitely get over it...this time!

The End Result

Tada! Here is my instant chocolate custard made with Bird's Custard Powder and Venchi's cacao due vecchi from Italy. Since I am in California, my husband is enjoying this custard without me. After following the recipe, I placed the dessert in the refrigerator to firm up. By adding a some cacao to a instant recipe gave this traditional dessert a little flare. Yum!

Hot Chocolate of the Day: Venchi's Hot Chocolate with Milk

I am back in California again! Yes! I enjoyed Venchi's Hot Chocolate with Milk from Italy before my departure to the golden state. However, I only had time to send out a quick tweet before my travels began.

One of the benefits of owning a store with an array of delicious hot chocolates is being able to sample them all. The Venchi hot chocolates are seasonal and, of course to non-hot chocolate aficionados, we are out of season. Clearly, this is nonsense! Nevertheless, the Venchi Hot Chocolate with Milk is made of 22% cacao and has a rich brown color. Unlike the traditional milk hot chocolates served here in the US, the deep color clearly shows the variance in what Americas and Europeans think is milk hot chocolate.

After the first sip, you can clearly tell this is not your typical milk hot chocolate. With a hint of sweetness, this hot chocolate would be appreciated by those that enjoy 70% or more chocolate beverages.

Would I indulge in this milk hot chocolate again? Surely! Make sure you do not eat something sweet simultaneously. A sweet or overly sweet item will cancel out the simple flavor of this hot chocolate.

Craving Chocolate Custard

With a craving for chocolate custard, I pulled out Venchi's cacao due vecchi (cacao powder) from Italy and Bird's Custard Powder from the pantry. I added a few teaspoons of cacao powder to the Bird's Custard Powder and proceeded to follow their directions.

I hope it tastes good!

Not just for hot cocoa anymore

Marshmallows are derived from an extract taken from the Altaea officinalis plant. This extract is now being used in numerous organic hair conditioners and face creams for their moisturizing characteristics.

Land O Lakes Cocoa Voluntary Recall

Land O Lakes International Drinking Cocoa “Madagascar Vanilla” in 12 ½-ounce foil bags with a “Best By 09/04/10” or “Best By 11/05/10” date are being recalled by Precision Foods Inc. of St. Louis. This single product voluntary recall is due to a potential salmonella contamination in the cocoa products. Precision Foods Inc. was notified by two of its suppliers, AMFOTEK and Plainview Milk Products Co-op, regarding Plainview’s Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk recall which is used to make the drinking cocoa.

No reported illnesses or salmonella has been found in the cocoa product. However, Precision Foods Inc. has decided to suspend production and distribution of the product while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues their investigation.

Those that purchased this cocoa are asked to return the identified packets to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional information call (877) 585-2365 or visit FDA.gov for more information.

Product: Land O Lakes International Drinking Cocoa “Madagascar Vanilla”
UPC: 8 78326 00071 0
Best Due Dates: “Best By 09/04/10” or “Best By 11/05/10”
Size: 12 ½ ounce foil bags