For the love of Chocolates

Surprise surprise! I'm making this post before I leave for the weekend! My second time to be in the lovely country called Indonesia for another choco session. Yes, officially inflicted with some chocolate syndrome. If you're asking why..oh well because we make chocolate machines! So if you're chocolate lover like me, then you might probably be eating what was made from our machines.

The second time in Indonesia was one of the most amazing time I had. Great people, fun team and of course chocolate making. But the best thing about it-of course is the tasting. You see before I was only a mere random stuff buyer, but when I learned about this luxury, I know better between a  "real" chocolate or compound. 
I learned that chocolate is not meant to be munched but should melt perfectly in the tongue, savoring caramel flavor by maillard reaction, the sweetness, bitterness, smoothness, nuttiness. It's meant to be enjoyed quietly, like a glass of aged wine inhaling in its deep flavors.

My favorite day was when we had a table full of almost every chocolates in the world. Various types with elegant packaging, some gold or silver wrapped goodies-I could eat all these treats probably if I had a way. We began cutting through it one by one, inspecting the tiniest details, feeling it and finally tasting it.

What a lovely experience indeed, I just hope to come home diabetes-free..but for the meantime I will bask in this chocolate fantasy. 


Chocolover me,
itsmelory (^.^)

Somethin' Cookin' on my Birthday

Good morning October! Hello good vibes for the last quarter of 2013. It's been a stressful birth month for me-literally, so I guess it's time I do some unwinding and relaxing! Just celebrated by birthday last 26th and I am human,  I don't really like growing old so yeah, my mantra: Age is just a number! So before I get "older", I made a checklist of what I wanted to accomplish before my burpday, a portion of my new-year's-resolution. 

Here's my Top 5:

1. Get my drivers licencse.
2. Travel to Rio de Janeiro or South Korea for now?
3. Learn to bake. Hmm, seems cool.
4. Get a crash course in Foreign Language (maybe French, Chinese). I don't know, since the world suddenly became Chinese, I felt the need to learn. I can make good use of it somehow, right? (wink wink)
5. Buy a statement bag.  Yes, typical wow-man. I've never met a woman who doesn't like some bags and shoes!

I like to put my goals black and white. It gives me a certain level of commitment by doing so. When I was in high school, I kept a diary. Yes from 1st year - 4th year! I would scribble every night what happened during that day, my crush..(Lols.) what I learned, what I read about, what I want to become, like become a superhero.  Somehow it gives me a sense of happiness in a way. Later on, I gave up the diary thing because my evil sister found it under the bed and began reading it. Lesson learned: Do not stick the key under the diary. Oh God, when you're young, and stupid right! Hahahah

Since I wanted sooo bad to make my own cake, and be productive that at least once in my life, I tried it (before my birthday), I did a couple of research and just go for it. My sis was shocked that I brought home one day some baking pans, and some serious baking stuff (Lols. again). And finally, I was able to make my very own version of Blueberry Cheesecake. No fuss like that, hope you'll find this helpful!

Blueberry Cheesecake, or sort of like that

You need the ff:

Bottom fill: Grahams ( I suggest you use Crushed Grahams)  & Melted Butter
2 box 270g Cream Cheese (Available Philadelphia / Magnolia)
2 tsp Lemon Juice
Cottage Cheese (but optional because I did not use)
pint whip cream / 2 cans All Purpose Cream
2 tbsp Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
1 can blueberry preserves

How to?

1. In a bowl, mix grahams and melted butter, add sugar. 

2. Press firmly into 8in pan (removable bottom / spring-form).

3. Cover with cling wrap and chill for 2-3 hours.

4. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until soft, add lemon juice, sugar, and vanilla.

5. Add cream, beat until soft and thick. Pour unto the chilled crust. Chill overnight!

And voila! Blueberry cheesecake, my very own...

The Verdict

So there you go! It felt good doing something you've never done before. Although it did not last until my birthday. It's amazing they liked it, and I liked it too. As for my other goals, for one my license is still on its way! I'm still driving using my student's license. South Korea trip,  well hope to book soonest although our Thailand tour will definitely come first (my sister is dying to come with me). I might blog my trip about it. Oh the bag, well, well..let's see. Until my next birthday! #happybirthdaylory!

Hugs and high fives,


 itsmelory (^.^)