Swiss Chocolate

A country made of chocolate!

Sweets in Switzerland

What more could i say? Look at the colors and forms, make you want to buy everything!





They are everywhere in Switzerland!

Vegan Chocolate

I thought that was impossible! Will it taste good?
Just after one bite, I am convinced that I will love it forever, forever…. Especially the raspberry ones. The texture is not like the regular commercial ones; it is bit grainy and soft. But it melts in your mouth and has very strong raspberry flavor. You can taste it is made with love! Each little one is sold at HOTSHOT at Kensington market for $1.50. But worthy it!

http://www.hotshotkensington.com/wb/

The guy Fred Jene, who makes those truffles uses cacao from chocosol (The raw Cacao importers). They told me the chocolate is not cooked and have to be refrigerated. In summer, I saw Fred once was presenting his chocolate outside of HOTSHOT. He has an interesting story to tell about how he makes chocolate, you should ask!!

www.foodnotcandy.com/

Italain Christmas dessert – Pandoro ("golden bread")

“Pandoro (pan d'oro) is a traditional Italian sweet yeast bread, most popular around Christmas and New Year.
Breads enriched with eggs, butter and sugar or honey were served in the palaces and were known as "royal bread" or "golden bread"”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandoro

The pandoro comes with a pack of white sugar. They put sugar on top then shake with the bread. When it is done, the bread looks like cover by white snow. Perfect for Christmas season! It was soft and sweet with chocolate flavor.

Gelato in Rome at G.Fassi

They say there should be a big fountain in the middle of the G.Fassi, but unfortunately when I was there it was renovating. Well, December is not a tourist season, so I guess have to go back someday in the summer.

But even it was December there were many people line up for ice cream. The place has an old history(“the Fassi business dates back to 1880”) as you can see the old posters and journals about the place on the wall. Besides ice cream, they also have other desserts. Don’t mind the poorly design the websites and pictures, it definitely worth to drop by (close to metro Vittorio E).

http://www.palazzodelfreddo.it/english/boot.htm

Dessert bread

I had this at a friend’s place at north of Rome. But the bread is made by his mother from south. It is very hard inside out like a rock and stay like that for months. I dipped them into hot tea after the main course.

Medlar fruit

I saw these weird fruit in Brussels and bought 2 of them. But they were hard so I carried them for a few days till they got soften. I ate them like a fruit. They are dry but very sweet, perfect for making jams. In Amsterdam, I also saw a Medlar tree in someone’s backyard.

“Medlar fruit are very hard and acidic. They become edible after being softened ("bletted") by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to a consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce. They can then be eaten raw, often consumed with cheese as a dessert, although they are also used to make medlar jelly and wine."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mespilus

Neuhaus - Gourmet Belgian chocolates

Gourmet Belgian chocolates: Neuhaus
You could buy it online, why wait?
http://www.neuhaus-online-store.com/index_en.htm

Desserts in Brussels

looks pretty! but i didn't eat any. I love the artful pastry!

Editable church

You can eat every piece of that church. Impressive work!

Snake and Sword pastry in Toledo

The pastries in snake and sword form can be seen everywhere in Toledo’s bakery. Quite interesting fit with medieval knights and armor souvenir stores.

Bakery in Toledo - 1

The bakeries in Toledo.

Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Spain

Madrid Backery

Madrid Chocolate

Chocolate with many forms and flavors. You can find it in tourist area in Madrid. Really good quality!

Dutch sweet sprinkles breakfast

When my Dutch friend put sweet sprinkles besides the bread, I did not know what to do with it. I thought that is for kids. To my surprise, that is a traditional Dutch breakfast. I put butter and sweet sprinkles on the toast. It is crunchy and sweet. Very interesting! Try it yourself!

“Breakfast usually consists of bread with any of the following toppings: appelstroop, cheese, cold meats, jam, honey, hazelnut-chocolate spread or sweet sprinkles,”

http://dutchfood.about.com/od/aboutdutchcooking/ss/3DailyMeals_2.htm

Amsterdam kid Cakes

Amsterdam backery

Not intended to try those, just a pic for souvenir.

Stuffed Desserts?

More desserts pic from Naples.
I have never seen stuffed peanut and walnut (maybe with cream or cheese?)

10-euro piece of Pine Nut Tart

I hate to be a tourist and paying an expensive tourist price. But that was my last day in Rome and we were tired of walking. We went in a very popular bar-restaurant to have a drink. They do have a price menu for the drinks but there is no price for those desserts behind the glass. I ordered a piece of pine nut tart. I thought it was something special because I never had it before. But my Italian friend said it was very expensive (10 euro). Oh, well, everyone who travels in Italy should know that you pay a lot more if you go to tourist place to eat.

Take the receipt!

I always like to bring some snacks on train so I will not be hungry. My favorite kinds are those butter-enriched biscuits (filling and tasty). I found some in a small bakery near Turin train station. I also saw thin bread that had a weird shape. I am not sure what it suppose look like? A person?
To my surprise, after my purchase, the vendor insists that I take the receipt with me. She told me without the receipt police can give me trouble. This was the first time hearing about it! They say it is the way to make sure stores pay tax. But why do I have to carry it outside the store? I normally hate to carry unless extra papers in the purse. Later a friend told me that even after one coffee, I should take the receipt as well.