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Breakfast: Rolled oats with kiwifruit
Lunch: Fish chowder and pasta
Dinner: Polenta with sweet corn and onions, pickled carrots
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
Cranberries and almonds are great together. In case you are wondering what is the connection between Einstein and these blondies, there is none, its just a nice saying. This was my first time trying the cranberry almond combination, and I had some doubts. I thought the sweet slightly tart cranberries could overpower the mild almonds. But I was wrong, thankfully. Not only did the cranberries behave when in the almonds company, they made the bar look nicer. Baked goods dotted with red cranberries is appealing to the eye.
I used dried cranberries because they are in season throughout the year! Fresh ones should work just as well. And what do you do with almonds? If you pulverize them it will add moistness. If you finely or coarsely chop them it will add crunch. I couldn’t decide which would be better, they both sound good so I did both. The recipe is available here.
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Chocolate soufflé
Today’s Favourite Blog
If you can’t smoke it drink it.
Cocktails made with tobacco liqueur are becoming popular. Tobacco in drinks is not new. In 2003, a group of Floridian cocktail makers began making tobacco-spiked cocktails in an attempt to defy the smoking ban. One such drink was the 'Nicotini' made using vodka infused with tobacco leaves – its purpose being to recreate the effects of a cigarette. There have been other concoctions since but until now there hasn't been a liqueur actually distilled using tobacco.
Tobacco liqueur is made roughly the same way as gin is, tobacco instead of using juniper berries is used.
From the health perspective, the producer is adamant that drinking liqueur made from tobacco can in no way be compared to smoking it. After distillation substances such as cyanide, tarry compounds or carcinogens are not present. And there is only a trace amount of nicotine.
I am not a smoker but this sounds really interesting. I would certainly order it if I saw it.
Oooh, I am so jealous of you that you get fresh cranberries (in season) throughout the year!! We are stuck with pathetic frozen cranberries over here which looked so dried that I wonder whether they have been imported for ages:p
ReplyDeleteI am not too sure about the tobacco liquor, honestly, LOL, it just sounds like smoking to me, still :p
I used dried cranberries, they are always in season:)
DeleteNo, its not smoking, its drinking!!!
I think using dried cranberries worked well. Fresh ones may be more moist but also a little more tart. And I'd do both ways for the almonds too ... when in doubt, do both.
ReplyDeleteTobacco cocktail ... think I'll stick to carrot :)
I don't think I have tried fresh cranberries but I can imagine them being much more tart. The dried ones are sweetened.
DeleteI wonder how tobacco liqueur will pair with the carrot cocktail?
Great idea to use the almonds two ways. I'd love the moistness and the crunch, together with the sweet-tart of the cranberries. Looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Deletehi three cookies, never tried cranberries in cooking before.. as well, never heard nor tried tobacco liqueur in food before, though i used to be a heavy smoker. ha ha have a nice day
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I wonder how you would react to the liqueur
DeleteBoth blondie photos are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteI've had tobacco syrup and it is really quite nice indeed. I had no idea what to expect!
ReplyDeleteI take your word for it, now I am even more curious
DeleteThe chocolate souffle look tempting!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am sure it tastes at least as good as it looks
DeleteI am sorry but tobacco liquor sounds absolutely disgusting. Bleh!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry too:) It would be disgusting if it has a strong tobacco aroma, I am hoping it doesn't
DeleteGiven that I hate kissing people who smoke, I'm not sure I'd like drinking tobacco. I would not want that taste in my mouth.
ReplyDeleteThose almondy bars look so good though!
Maybe the drink will not be so bad, the aroma may not be there. It would be disgusting if there was a strong aroma
DeleteThe cranberry almond bar looks perfect. I didnt know that almond gives moisture when used in powdered form. actually should be the logical, natural effect.
ReplyDeleteNicotini sounds interessting,... but it will surely give no nicotin, not enough at least. lol
The fat in almonds give moisture.
DeleteNicotini is a cool name!
What a beautiful cake! I love the idea of pairing almonds with cranberries and something tells me the taste if fantastic! Tangy cranberries and rather sweetish almonds... Thank you for this wonderful idea. I will certainly remember the combination.
ReplyDeleteI am not a smoker, but I would love to taste tobacco in a liquid form. My favourite chocolatier makes cigar-infused chocolates (dark chocolate ganache covered in dark chocolate). They are awesome! Although after two the throat starts feeling scratchy, like after a cigar! A very interesting experience I would happily share if such soft chocolates weren't impossible to post in a standard way. If you ever come to Switzerland, I will give you the details of this extraordinary man's shop.
Thank you. It tasted great even when really cold.
DeleteThat cigar infused chocolate sounds really good, very unique. I have never seen it but some specialty shops here may have it. I will keep an eye out. Its a pity that you can only eat at most two in comfort. Or maybe its good, it places a limit:)
that chocolate dessert looks incredible - how do you think the cocktails would taste? smokey!?
ReplyDeleteMaryx
Maybe not smoky, cigarettes are smoky because of the smoke, I think, or maybe not.
Deletecigar infused chocolate. HMMMM. very very interesting. where do you find news like this?!
ReplyDeleteOn the www:)
Deleteinteresting breakfast - rolled oats with kiwi? hm... I have never thought of adding a "summery" fruit to a "wintery" food. I usually stay within the normal ingredients (apples, cranberries, raisins). Maybe I'll try kiwi next time?
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Thank you. Banana and oats is also summer and winter. I thought raisins were summer fruits, or maybe not.
DeleteOooh, that blondie is like the one with cherries that I tried to make in my fail oven, which completely didn't work! Can I have yours, please? :D
ReplyDeleteTobacco liquor is something new to me, I wonder how it tastes
ReplyDelete