Thursday, May 16, 2013

Mocha Meringue, Waffle Burger and Bad Cinnamon


Mocha Meringue


These meringues are the chewy type, actually the very chewy type. I suppose if you bake longer, it will get more crispy, but I didn’t try this.

I find standard meringues to be overly sweet so I used less sugar, and it turned out fine.

By the way, perhaps I am a little biased but these meringues look like something sitting on the side of the road that you don't want to eat, let alone step on. Once you get over the hesitation and actually try it, you won't be disappointed. I am referring to the mocha meringue, in case this was not clear. The recipe is available here.

And if you haven't heard, Arla has released a new product, soft ice cream. See this link if you are interested in testing it.



Today's Favourite Photo
Waffle Burger



Today’s Favourite Blog
Source: Science Daily
Cinnamon is good for you. That’s the message we usually get but someone had to spoil the party! 

The real cinnamon is good but it is expensive so some manufacturers use cassia bark, or cassia cinnamon, as a cheaper alternative. The problem is that compared with the real cinnamon, cassia cinnamon contains a larger amount of coumarin.  Coumarin is a naturally occurring substance that has been linked to liver damage in people sensitive to it, according to an article published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

I don’t know what the price difference is between the real thing and the cheaper alternative. I just checked the cinnamon I have at home. On the packet it says cinnamon, but in smaller print it says cassia. That’s the last time I am buying cassia. If cinnamon is too expensive I would eat less of the real thing than more of cassia. Just like butter and margarine, I would eat less of butter than more of margarine, which is cheaper. But I just lied, I’ve been eating margarine for the past few month since I have been sent a few packs as samples. Sometimes free stuff can be a headache. Amazing, its free and I am complaining. 

4 comments:

  1. Wow that is an interesting burger, I love the sweet and savoury combination but I am wondering how does it taste.

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    1. I am sure it tastes good but there is only one way to find out

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  2. To be frank I have never liked meringue because of its sweetness (apart from dulce de leche and sticky caramel I have difficulties to enjoy very sweet desserts), so your meringue sounds like something I should definitely try. You have made me laugh with your description :-)
    I had no idea cassia was toxic in big amounts, but frankly the difference in price is too ridiculous to use it (cinnamon is not saffron!). I once bought cassia by mistake (even whole cassia is a bit similar) and it was maybe 2 euros instead of 3 for real cinnamon sticks (which moreover happened to be organic!). The aroma of cinnamon is definitely more pleasant and sophisticated. I have never used my accidentally bought cassia, but now I think I will throw it away! (I must check the powdered cinnamon! Maybe it's also written "cassia" in small print).

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    Replies
    1. I suppose cassia is OK if you are not sensitive to it. I don't know if I am sensitive to it or not, don't know how to find out. In any case I want to eat the real thing:)
      Its amazing - in margarine packs it says margarine, not butter. Its not misleading, we know we are buying margarine. But it says cinnamon in packs but contains cassia - thats misleading.

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