Dubai Chocolate Knafeh Pistachio Bar

Deconstructed here but when it all comes together, it trully is a decadent chocolate bar. The Dubai Chocolate Knafeh Pistachio Bar somehow went viral and I was keen on giving this my own homemade twist.

Almond Butter Blueberry Popsicles Dipped in Chocolate, Sesame Seeds and Almonds

Ever since our return from Alaska the weather has been a bit of everything. From warm sunny days with a cooling breeze, to hot humid days similar to those in Dubai or even monsoon-like summer rainy days reminiscent to Bombay, to cool autumn-like mornings. It seems Mother Nature just is having trouble deciding on which weather to shower on us.

Easter: Chocolate Cherry and Prune Hot Cross Buns

We are a household of two different religions and cultures. Both our worlds were so far apart as we grew up that we were separated by a wall - literally. My husband was born and raised as a Catholic in the “GDR” or what is known as East Germany. A child of the 70s and 80s, at a young age he saw the wall come down in his early twenties. I am a Sikh, born in Bombay and raised around the world from the US to the Middle East. Fate definitely played a big role in bringing us together.

Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Brownies

While 2013 was the year of the kale it seems that cauliflower is the new superfood trending in the food hit list for 2014. Kale or “grünkohl” as it is known in Germany has always been a traditional vegetable here; popular in the northern regions of Germany, but the hype made around it in the US was quite fascinating to watch as it developed. Now, however it is time to pack away the kale chips, kale lasagna, kale salads and even those kale popsicles and make room for cauliflower. 

Dark Chocolate Ginger Almond Cookies

Breaking the pieces of the glossy, almost-black colored chunks into the copper saucepan evoked sheer pleasure. The reflection of the rich, dark, precious commodity against the metal even made the sun peek from behind the thick, heavy clouds. It was raining, as it so often does throughout January, dampening our moods and drowning out any desire of life. We had been lying on the couch for hours - listless, lifeless and limp. Couch potatoes, grumping over the wind and weather and as the hours lethargically dragged on, our moods stooped further. There was only one cure for this: CHOCOLATE. 

Chocolate Treacle Sheet Cake

 

When it comes to food I’ve always believed that the word “diet” just does not belong in the same category. It sticks out like a sore thumb! I dislike seeing the word “diet”, “light” or “meal replacement” labeled on anything at the supermarket and take a big detour around these products. I love my butter, my bacon, my pasta and bring on the chocolate!

Chocolate Espresso Sponge Pudding (and How to Pinterest)

While I wait for Spring to fully arrive at the markets I am satisfying the deep sweet cravings with chocolate … and coffee. It’s an intense but exquisite pairing that one can very easily get addicted to. Doesn’t addiction come is so many forms?

Chocolate Ovomaltine Daim Cake

Growing up, my pre-teens and teenage years were very much influenced by both the American and British cultures. Having been in and out of the States and American elementary schools around the world, I was rather unprepared for what awaited me at a private British high school. It was like the clash of the titans in many situations. As George Bernard Shaw said “England and America are two countries separated by the same language”. 

Lingonberry Dark Chocolate Buns

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from life around me, from watching people going about their lives. The writer in me is a receptacle open to the impressions and influences I am exposed to on a daily basis. Me, the photographer, captures the visuals and scenes, branding them into my memory for reference at a later date. 

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

  

Let’s put aside the carrot and celery sticks, brussel sprouts and the cranberry juice for a moment. Human misery has never been cheered up with a plate of raw vegetables. No - true misery can only be cured by generous servings of sugar, chocolate, butter and a satisfaction that will never be found in anything really healthy.  

Morello Cherry Chocolate and Cognac Teacakes

  

Treats come in many shapes, forms and sizes. For her a treat could be the finest leather high heeled shoes, in red; all eyes are on her as she sways down the street. For him, his treat is a brand new part to the sleek Porsche 550 Spyder; he puts the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle with his own hands. For the writer probably a simple stack of paper: his writer’s block subsides as he begins to fill the blank pages with new ideas.
Treats: we all need and depend on them. 

Chocolate Orange Cake with Salted Caramel Ganache

  

It’s like living a déjà vu. My memory has records of pictures and feelings that I can aptly call up the exact position in my life I lived the moment, but I also know that the way I am living the same experience right now is different, fresh and unique. And I know this will be the last opportunity I have to relive it in this incomparable way.

Chocolate and Pistachio French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup

  

Long, lazy mornings is what we are enjoying at the moment. No hectic, no meetings, no stress to get anywhere and the feeling is good. Christmas weekend came and went and the tumultuous celebrations of the three days with gift wrapping, roast cooking and tree decorating lie behind us. We’re letting our souls dangle in the sheer luxury of time wasting and the opulence of big and extravagant breakfasts.         

Step into Hotel Chocolat | Happy Diwali | Giftaway

  
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you might get!”
These words by Tom Hanks’ character Forrest Gump branded my brain intensely. It made me sit up and look deeper into my life. 

Vanilla Poached Plums and Blueberry Granola Goat Cheese Cream Verrines

  

Usually when we have invited friends or family for a dinner, I look forward to the entire planning process of the evening meal. Maybe it’s the hotel background that triggers these buttons, but browsing through cookbooks or my recipe notebook and musing over the choices and selections, really makes me happy and content.

Daring Bakers: Chocolate Pavlova with Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse, Honey Roasted Peaches and Fresh Raspberries

  

Chocolate – decadent, rich, smooth and most definitely addictive. There are not many I know who do not succumb to the magical powers of chocolate. Over the last few years I’ve seen such an exciting boom in flavor pairings with chocolate that it really seems there are no limits to the delicious creations one can make using chocolate.  

Egg-straordinary: Light Mousse au Chocolat with Baileys Crème Caramel

  

Easter is just not the same without chocolate! I went to the stores today and my shopping cart has never before brimmed over with so many chocolate treats in all shapes and sizes.   

Rich Chocolate Banana Breads with Pistachios, Pink Praline and Au Naturel

 

I can hardly believe my stay in Dubai is coming to an end. I’ll be flying back to Germany tomorrow and just thinking of the cold there makes me shiver. But the 22 – 26 degrees C we’re enjoying here has warmed us up right to the core. Wonders what sunshine does to the soul and mind.

Chocolaty Cranberry Pistachio Brownies

  

I was sitting at the dentist's last week reading a lifestyle magazine. It was an article about Victoria Beckham and her fashion anguishes. After I put down the magazine I had to smirk! Why go through that hell I thought - just to set a trend and get a few shots in a magazine? After seeing a picture of her feet I shivered!

White Chocolate Cardamom Mousse with Spekulatius Crumbs

  

Isn't it funny how fast the holidays have raced past? Wasn't it just a few days ago I was fussing about my menu plan for Christmas Eve dinner, packing presents to help Santa with his huge duties and ranting on about what to wear at the New Year's Eve party with my girlfriends?