There Is Always Chocolate In The Summer
Summer is usually all about fruit for me. Peaches, apricots, cherries, melon, and a array of sweet and tart berries. I turn them into tarts, muffins, sorbets and ice cream… Sometimes even into savory dishes. But one can only stay away from chocolate for so long. I try, believe me — with no result.
I spent a lot of time at home last week working on the finishing touches of the manuscript. “What is new?” you might be wondering. So does everyone else in my life.
“Maybe you should get some fresh air?” my mom tells me everyday over the phone. “Go for a walk and get some fresh air” I’m counting down the days when I get to do that with her.
One more week and I will be back home.
I have been revisiting some of the recipes in the book. Baking them over and over again and seeing that they work every time gives me a sense of peace. I can get very obsessive about details and when I think of a recipe that was tested a while ago, I tend to think “What if it doesn’t work!”. I panic. Then I jump into the kitchen.
Last week there were many chocolate recipes. I craved them. The intensity and richness.
I made my favorite dark chocolate and hazelnut cake. Very moist… almost the texture of a brownie. It works every time.
I also made chocolate pots de creme with raspberries and currants. You can find a similar recipe here. And with leftover chocolate tart dough, I made a chocolate, black and red raspberry, and currant galette.
I certainly got my fix.
In a few more days, I will be done. My manuscript will be in the hands of my editor and there will be a big sigh of relief (mine, of course). Then we will be off to the Basque Country for some quiet family time, food, and another Robin Food show.
But for now. I must return to my book…. with a slice of chocolate cake right next to me.
Mm this all looks so amazing, congratulations on almost being done with your manuscript! woohoo!
Beautiful as ever – I can’t wait to see the cookbook! Have a wonderful time at home.
There are no words.
There just aren’t.
I’m looking at plane tickets and I think I found a great pri…..wait, what?
Stay home? Stop being a freak?
…okay.
(looks gorgeous!)
Aran- beautiful as usual. Have a wonderful time in the Basque country and relax and be pampered. The cake certainly does look like it has a texture of brownies and I lurveee the spoons. I saw similar ones at a Parisian shp called Sabre here and instantly feell in love!
Amazing! xx
Zorionak liburuagatik! Robin Food-en programaren zain egongo naiz.
Beautiful pics – and chocolate is always great! :-)
I love it! I always have to get my chocolate fix…summer or any season, for that matter! :-) Yum! Enjoy your slice of chocolate cake! :-)
Mmmmm…looks so delicious! Beautiful pictures. Chocolate is perfect in any season.
Everything looks great! Of course, there is nothing better than chocolate, whatever the season! The pictures are gorgeous!
I always crave chocolate during the summertime… That cake looks marvelous!
Cheers,
Rosa
I have also been craving some summer chocolate. Congrats on being so close to done with the book
Yummy!!!
Love at first site with your blog :)
It’s so funny, I was about to post one of my favorite flourless chocolate desserts, with the idea of ‘cleansing our palates’ from all the summer fruits! We’re on the same wavelength. The chocolate fruit galette is inspired!
Can’t wait for your posts from your visit home, have fun!
I’m in a constant state of craving chocolate. Some might call it chocolate homeostasis. Your photos are just mouth-watering. Good luck on your book!
Where did you get the spoons?
Congratulations on almost being finished with your manuscript! Your chocolate recipes look divine and the photos are stunning, as always. Enjoy your visit home!
You’re torturing me! It all looks so delicious and your photos are beautiful as always.
♥ sécia
http://www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com
That looks great!
& if you like check out my blog, I am having a fabulous giveaway for a pearl necklace $168 by Pomegranate. Don’t miss out!
http://lea-oh-lea.blogspot.com
xoxo
-lea
Pots de creme… can’t wait for that recipe. And the spoons are just too cute.
chocolate always makes things better… and this simply makes me feel better just looking at it.
rest well… you are on the home stretch… xx pam
Gorgeous & i bet absolutely refreshing and delicious!
Aran, I’m in chocolate and berry heaven just looking at these pictures. I thought about making some fudgey brownies tonight, and this sealed the deal! Would you mind telling me where you buy all your pretty spoons and plates?
Beautiful as always, and I can’t wait to hold your book in my hands. Have a wonderful time back home.
You should know that, even though we are complete strangers, through the miracle of Blogland, I think of you and send you very well wishes. It’s been months, now, that I’ve thought of you and your book and, also, your food photography class (sigh, if only I could have come….) and, also, just wish that I could take beautiful high key food photography like you do. (I’m experimenting and trying and having fun finding my way – er, inbetween puppies and kids and housework and gardening, that is. Oops! I’m telling you my life’s story – sorry.=])
Well, as for chocolate – there’s always one campfire with a s’more, every summer, for me! It wouldn’t be summer without it. But, after saying that, I’m, now, going to try and redeem myself by saying that I’m going to go and try out that recipe for orange, blueberry, almond bread that I have. (Not a tea bread but it looks so wonderful!)
Congratulations! We love coming and hearing about your exciting projects – even if we do usually ‘lurk’. =]
Love, Katy Noelle
I can relate to this post quite well! After many cherry, plum and blueberry recipes, I too fell prey to my need for chocolate by baking a gooey chocolate tart.
Yours in chocolate solidarity,
Katy
Chocolate knows no time.It is always welcome in my house;)
Oh, yum. Yum! I really cannot wait for your book. I feel like I must say this in every comment but it’s true! Closing in on the home stretch now . . . thanks for being so thorough. Thanks for producing such a work.
Hi
YUM, this makes me sooooo hungry!! Craving chocolate now.. :-)
I love those little glass jars you have the chocolate in (the clear ones) with little cherries on top, where can I get some from?
Thanks
nom nom nom nom nom lol brillian pics :-)
Los martes o miercoles por la mañala lo primero que hago es pasarme po tu blog, estoy adicta vaya.
De nuevo vas a Robin Food?!! me alegro un monton, las dos recetitas que hiciste la otra vez ( las galletas no) pero la quino a sopa d emelon las hago mucho desde entonces.
bss
Amazing images, like always :)
And I am in LOVE with your plastic spoons, can I ask where you bought them?
Hugs from Norway,
Signe
I have to try that chocolate hazelnut cake! My two favorite ingredients!
Good luck with the book and I am sure you will find a great relief once you are with your family. Enjoy your very much deserved family time!
Absolutely yummy and gorgeous photos
http://www.rawfashionmagazine.com
Yay, on being almost finished!!! Can’t wait to purchase your book!!
I also have to ask where you purchased those spoons – they’re wonderful!!
Delle immagini splendide per ricette altrettanto meravigliose!
Chocolate always helps. When you’re tired, when you’re stuck, when you can’t go out or breathe. Chocolate is a relief.
I’ll let you in on a little secret of mine….I often wait until my morning is perfectly set up (cup of coffee in hand, curtains drawn back, fruit scattered in my bowl, record playing) before I check your blog. It is a magical place for me, one that I hold my breath for, wondering “oh did she post today? no, not yet?! darn!” and then I check again and voila, my soul is graced with dreamy, white, crisp photos, gentle stories and recipes that make me want to be a better woman…
You are a wonderwall to me, and I am so grateful for all that you are. You are my little personal joy haven, and I thank you for that.
xoxo
my oh my! what lovely redcurrants you’ve gotten! We would only dream about getting such quantities here in tropical Singapore where they don’t last that long…
I loved the photos and I was wondering if all of the deserts presented were gluten free. I definitely look forward to your new gluten free cookbook coming out in 2012. ~ Bella
I love the way you photograph your food; so simple yet so gorgeous.
Gorgeous! Is the chocolate hazelnut cake recipe on the blog — or do I have to wait for the beautiful book?
What a lovely cakes all absolutely beautiful!
Wonderful! I rarely crave chocolate, but after reading this I really want a large piece of your chocolate cake! Thanks for sharing!
This is perfection
Such incredible and gorgeous photos! As always of course this is a darling, beautiful post. You have inspired me to bake up mounds of chocolate deliciousness.
Congrats and good luck with the manuscript!
Books and cake sure sounds good to me. Especially chocolate.
wow everything is so beautiful. i especially love the currants. gorgeous.
These photos are wonderful! I’ve consumed chocolate like there is no tomorrow these past few days and I’m still not feeling guilty . . . I’m getting a bit uneasy.
I hope it taste as good at it looks!
So glad I’m not on a diet! Looks so delicious!
Need chocolate…
-driz
refreshsomething.blogspot.com
nice blog! first time to read it pass over mine http://chefaw.blogspot.com/2011/08/de-mexico-al-mundo-prehispanic-facts.html
good pictures! and very simple, simple is dificult!
thanks
Lovely, as usual!
We love to visit your blog, everything’s so bright and joyful here!
Hello! I love this Blog! So lovely pictures! :) Im enjoy this blog.. and sorry my english sucks. :) Greetings from Finland :)
Aupa Aran, i am new to your blog but i am amazed by the atmosphere you are able to create with the photos :) this last post about the berries reminds me so much of my childhood summers. greetings from Spain. Julia
Such a lovely blog you have and through the pictures it shows that you cook with heart. All the best and look forward to your book ,
Kind regards, Adla
There is always a place for chocolate in any season!
I cannot wait to see your book Aran, I already know it will be so lovely!
I think its great in the summer but of ocurse year round!
I LOVE your pictures, so much so that one is currently the background on my phone. I hope that is OK.
These chocolate creations sounds utterly divine and I love the brown, red and white colors.
You pretty much have me craving chocolate for the whole day now and I just started work,. This is not right.
Bet yu can’t wait to e home. :)
Hi.. here’s a little more to be happy about!… An award is waiting for you at the Northern Light Blog :)
http://so-much-more-than-nl.blogspot.com/2011/08/just-lovely.html
Keep up the great work!
Beautiful photos.
Now I’m really hungry.
:-))amelia
So, so gorgeous. You have an amazing talent, or 5.
I agree: It always comes back to chocolate! Your dark chocolate and hazelnut cake sounds divine.
I also love your red currant creations. Beautiful!
Thanks for the inspiration.
~Sarah
Keen & Fitting
These are so beautiful as always, and I can’t wait to see your book!!
Your photography is unbelievable. I’m going to follow you just for that!
Where did you get those darling spoons?
Beautiful! All looks amazing! Love your pics too!
San Diego Mobile Notary
Nice blog
Amazing!
This looks amazing! Honestly these pictures are terrible for my diet!;D You have incredible imagination.
Yuuuuuuuum.
good :)
wow complimenti per questo meraviglioso blog ^_^ i bimbi che vedo nelle foto sono deliziosi ^_^
anche io ho 4 figli ed ho intrapreso l’avventura del blog da soli 8 mesi che dire è diventata un esperienza fondamentale della mia vita
ti invito a partecipare al mi ocontest sui lievitati
si vince una planetaria kenwood kmp045 professional mi farebbe davvero piacere se partecipassi o mi aiuteresti a diffondere la notizia
complimenti per le tue ricette e le tue foto fantastiche
baci
alessandra
This makes me sooo hungry!
This makes me sooo hungry!
Lovely and delightful :)
I love seeing those sweet, little glass jars at work :) So happy they survived the mail! xo You and I are on the same page with these currants…I have been craving them too and thrilled to have found some here. What a find…
I’m so excited for your book, Aran… it’s going to be sooo wonderful. I have these same spoons in my styling drawer! :)
it looks so delicious. :)
and lovely
Beautiful as usual. I was wondering if you could tell me the fabric you used for these photos? I LOVE it. You can email it to me or respond to my comment, however I think email would be best.
Thank you,
Shawnene
shawnenew@gmail.com
Have been looking through your blog and I must say all the recipes look deliciou!Your photography skills are so good :)
Beautiful photos and the food looks delicious! Hope you enjoyed! x
I cannot wait to read you book – am positive it will be as lovely as you are. As well I am looking forward to tagging along on your journey through the Basque Country – even if it is only virtually – always a highlight of my year!
On a side note, I am looking everywhere for cute little spoons, forks and knives such as the ones you have in your photos. Where do you find them? Please? :) Merci!
I love chocolates too!
Where can I find your recipe of Chocolate hazelnut cake? :) I would love to try it myself. Thank you!
Joyce- the recipe will be in my upcoming book to be published in fall 2012. thanks!
Can’t wait for your book and this beautiful pictures are making me more and more impatient.
And I have to say, once again, that I absolutely LOVE your dishes, Aran. Are those plates from PiP Studio?
where do i find the recipe for this cake? It looks really delicious!!!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtJ0VXL7rfk/TkBALvYT9TI/AAAAAAAAEho/qh_tNhhOMug/s1600/EDOC6693.jpg
I found your blog thanks to The Times highlighting it as one of the 50 best food blogs. I am so pleased I have found it. I love the photography. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I cannot wait to read more…
Lovely, as always…just lovely.
I have my own version of cake with dark chocolate and hazelnut. There is no better combination. Except maybe chocolate cake with orange jam.
I like your healthy – refreshing combination with always desirable dark chocolate.
Images are excelent.