As I write, the heat has turned to chill and I’ve had to find my socks again. One of the things I envy in US romcoms set in certain climes, is the ability to leave outdoor furniture cushions outside with absolute certainty that they won’t get rained on – and being able to plan outdoor gatherings without contingent measures for rain.
So I made a rather delicious chocolate cake using ground almonds, dates and chocolate using Willie’s 70% Chef’s Drops, £29.50/1kg, with its notes of ‘raisins and plums’, which went rather well with cream and strawberries and afternoon films. I rewatched The Silence of the Lambs with my eldest and shouted myself hoarse in the final scenes for Clarice to call for back up and not go down to the cellar.
This week was also about discovering a brand I’ve been meaning to for ages: Green Door from Bath in Somerset. They do make the chocolate – just a few bars – behind a green door, but this is coincidental. The packaging is gorgeous and eco. The two bars I tasted (72% from Madagascar and a 55% dark milk from Colombia, £6.50/70g) I would describe as ‘lively’. This isn’t chocolate to shovel into your mouth with no thought (as if any of you would do this). Each bar gives the impression of being meticulously thought about and laboured over: craft chocolate in all senses (as such stocks come and go). The milk was particularly satisfying with an initial bright bite that gave way to a deep milk powder finish. I loved the 68% Salted Pistachio, £6/55g, a punchy little treat to savour, as I watched the rain fall on to my washing, giving it a final rinse.
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