Chocolates, cards, and kittens

I tasted the tomato chocolates yesterday. Alas, I wasn’t thrilled with any of them, primarily because the tomato flavor was not identifiable over the chocolate. The ganaches were delicious, though. The chipotle (with dark chocolate) was a trifle too spicy for my tastes, but it also had wonderful smoky overtones. The Thai basil – white chocolate ganache tasted of both anise and basil – while I wouldn’t use it on its own, I’m already thinking about ways to use it in combination with other flavors. The dark chocolate raisin ganache with mole spices was intriguing – a sweet, fruity base with earthy overtones from the mole spices (specifically, the cumin). And the thyme – white chocolate ganache was interesting as well – tasted of thyme and vanilla, as expected, but with a complex interaction between the two flavors. While I wouldn’t use it on its own either, it might be intriguing, perhaps paired with lemon jelly.

Meanwhile, my friend Lieven was nice enough to come over and shoot some chocolates for my 2013 holiday cards. Lieven is a very talented photographer, and as a result, I have my nicest holiday cards ever:

I like them! Clean, elegant, and beautiful. And all about chocolate, of course.

It does seem odd to be sending out holiday cards the first week of November, but since they’ll arrive with yummy chocolates, I doubt anyone will object. 🙂

Lieven also agreed to try photographing kittens. As he set up for shooting, however, he was immediately beset by inquisitive cuteness:

He did get some great shots, though, and I’ll share some over the next few days.