Saturday, July 25, 2009

CAESAREA AND CHOCOLATES

ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE OF CAESEREA.

Nothing in the world like this. You are one of thousands of spectators sitting in the open air amphitheatre at Caesarea. The background is the sea at night and the stage is set for the show.

The entrance to the venue is constructed like a large coffee café, eats, teas and a beer bar. The people come from all over the country and the ambience is one of fun and the magic of a night in the open.

The performance was IDAN RAICHER and his PROJECT. They were sensational. The singing and performance of Idan Raicher on the piano, the group who played a variety of instruments ,sang and danced for hours, thrilled us all.

It is refreshing to look at a group like this. Modesty remains there in spite of the fame they have achieved internationally. Their music is a blend of Ethnic sounds, African, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Caribbean music. The performance of BOEE {Come} and YESH BI OD KOACH were sensational. The audience went wild and we left there knowing we would be back next year.

There are various artists who perform here regularly. It is very creative to use an Amphitheatre in this way and I hope you go there once to a ballet, Opera, Jazz or a musical performance.

Then a few days later we celebrated a special birthday and forgot about calories as we delved into the chocolate emporium of Max Brenner.............. sweet, sweet ,sweet
They serve wicked concoctions of chocolate in very imaginative ways. You can eat a meal there or simply indulge in the real goods, chocolate.
There are some great gift chocolates, specially designed hug mugs for warm drinks, kiddies cups, gift boxes and cubes of chocolates to sample and enjoy at home
Years ago when Max Brenner opened their first store in Tel Aviv, I took a group of ladies there to meet the chocolate maker and try the chocolates. We had a great time. The samples were divine and we left there with our sweet purchase and dedicated to the chocolate cult………………..


COLD CHOCOLATE DRINKS.
Use chocolate to make cold chocolate drinks for hot days. Just add organic agave syrup and a bit of cinnamon. Chill well and serve in tall glasses with a bit of ice cream and grated halva on top. I am not speaking of calories here, as it is impossible calculate them…………………..

CHOCOLATE POTS.

These can be made in a glass fruit bowl, individual ones for each person, or in a tall glass with long spoons to serve. Create them neatly and it is a sure winner.
Break up a slab of good chocolate, into pieces and 10 white marshmallows, cut into pieces. Place these in a pot over water to melt. Use strawberries, blackberries and some granadilla pips to cover the bottom of the glass. Choose a chocolate pudding, the yogurt cup size for each person. Alpro is a good choice, as it is soya milk. Whisk this and pour into the melted chocolate and marshmallows and pour into the glass over the fruit. Chill for two hours. Serve with grated chocolate and a few berries on top. I sometimes use vanilla pudding with cut up peaches and pineapple with the same marshmallows and chocolates.

CHOCOLATE FINGERS.

4 ozs butter. 1 cup flour………..1 heaped teaspoon baking powder.
2 ozs sugar………..2 teaspoons cocoa…… I cup coconut.

Cream butter and sugar, add the rest of the ingredients. Press into a tray and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. When cold, ice with chocolate icing and cut into fingers.

I always like to have chocolate balls in the freezer. They thaw quickly and can be served with other cookies and desserts.


FOR FURTHER IDEAS WITH CHOCOLATE. GO TO MY ARTICLE "CHOCOLATE" on the 25th August 2008. There is a chocolate cake, muffins and Truffles.

Have a sweet week and enjoy the fun of chocolate. I also have Carob ideas in the article of 25th August 2008.


LOVE AND LIGHT RONA

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

SWEET!!

hagar said...

רונה יקרה
זהו בהחלט פוסט מקסים ושובה לב
מצד אחד עידן רייכל, מצד שני אהבתי הגדולה- שוקולד
...
בתוספת של תמונות הנכד המתוק
וקיסריה היפיפיה
איזה יופי
!!!