Target Chocolate Bars

I suppose Target thinks it's getting a little fancy, introducing its own candy range, but in reality its just to try and compete with the mega giants like Woolworths who have their own store branding for just about every product.

These three bars have been sitting on a shelf in my cupboard for months, because no matter how often i thought about reviewing them, if something new or more exciting came into my possession, these seemed to be forgotten. I guess you could say i was a little hesitant about the quality of chocolate produced by what i would class a clothes store.

Whilst my initial fears about the bars were true in regards to the praline and cookies & cream bars, the caramel and toffee splits were quite bearable, infact almost good enough to warrant me trying them again. ALMOST. Unless they're on some ridiculous sale or your absolutely desperate, i'd say stick to your Mars and Cadbury favourites over these bars.

RATING: 6/10

Chocolatier 'Pure Indulgence' Assortnment

This was a gift given to my sister, which she obviously caringly re-gifted onto me, in a manner of not letting them go to waste. I had sampled some of the smaller Chocolatier products and so had some idea of what i was in for.

 The assortment included 6 flavours of which i must say only one or two really caught my eye. The Milk and Dark chocolates. I've never been a massive fan of fruity chocolates, inparticularly of the lime variety!

Althought they generously included three of each indiviual flavour in the 175g box, really and truly after one of two it was quite enough for me to make a judgement. Even on the ones i didn't mind too much. While not being as bad as 'cheap' chocolate, something lacked from this product that you crave for in a nice box of chocolates. If only i could put my finger on it....

RATING: 7.1/10



'New Winter Menu' @ The Lockyer

Just over a week ago i discovered one of our local country pubs was, wait for it, developing a degustation menu to showcase their new winter menu. I was in rapture! The excitement and culinary adventure of a 7 course meal in the comforts of my local abode, plus i could kid myself i was 'supporting local business' which seems to be the big push at the moment.

Having never dined at this particular pub before, i must admit i was a little sceptical about their idea of fine dining. I did discuss with my family who i attended the night with that i was expecting deep fried canapes, steak and veg and an ice-cream/sundae dessert. But i was very pleasantly surprised. While the dishes weren't of the gastronomical nature (foams and gravels with fancy french accompaniments), they were very well presented and cooked beautifully. I would endorse anyone looking for a good local eat to try the new menu out.
The biggest problem i found with the night was being rather new to the concept of blogging, i often found myself finishing a course to realise i hadn't captured it on film, so i apologise for the gaps in photos.

Above: The mocktail served for those who weren't drinkers. My sister seemed to quite enjoy it, plus there was a rosella hidden in their which surprised us.

Above: The first of the Entree's, a spinach/garlic/cream cheese stuffed portobello mushroom which appeared to have been fried, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. The flavours of the mushroom were delectable, but the strength of the reduction just made me think of when you spread too much vegemite on your toast!

Above: The second entree was a petite smoked salmon and prawn roulade with a dill cream. Very nice with the lemon juice and dill flavours, the salmon was definitely different to how i normally eat it (pan-fryed), but still very nice.

Above: Of the two mains, i couldn't manage to get a picture of the mini rib-eye fillet, by 'mini' what they really meant was too small for pixels to capture. So instead i photographed our Prawn, Calamari and Fish Laksa in a spring roll basket served on a bed of lettuce and noodles. The seafood was cooked beautifully, and the flavours were all their to be a brilliant dish, i just wish their was more of the creamy laksa sauce and a little less of the foliage.

Above: To end the night we were served dessert and a cheese platter, i figure you've all seen cheese and crackers before, but this was Stewed apples in a cointreau reduction on a puff pastry bed with a scattering of strawberries and a 'belgian' chocolate on the side ( my experiences tell me it was actually a lindt chocolate, thus swiss). Probably could have done with a squirt of fresh cream instead of the cointreau reduction, a little sweet for me, or just a plate of those yummy 'belgian' chocolates lol.


All in all, both my mother and sister were in agreeance that the night was not only a pleasant surprise but a great success. 6 thumbs up for the job 'The Lockyer' staff did and i only hope they offer similiar nights in the future.

Sugarless Confectionary Chocolate Pralines

When i saw this product on the supermarket shelf, i figured it must have been new because it didn't have a shelf label or pricetag yet. But i bought it anyway on the premise of exploration and having never tried sugarless chocolate before, i thought it was time to expand my tasting experiences.

When i went through the checkout i nearly died as it scanned for some ridiculous price in the region of $20, i certainly hoped the sugarless pralines were like little brown kisses sent from heaven to me personally (similiar to fererro rocher ad). Oh how i would be dissapointed...

Starting wth the outside chocolate, it was waxy and seemed to resist the natural chocolate urge to melt in your mouth. Their was no brilliant taste of cocoa or hazlenut, no flutter of the heart as it coated the inside of your mouth with a lingering aftertaste. SO i thought i might be able to overlook the the initial dissapointment, and not judge a book by its discover, but take the time to get to know what these pralines were like on the inside. BIG MISTAKE! The powdery, tasteless centre almost reminded me of a cross between carab and heat-affected chocolate past its use by date. Incredibly dissapointed now. In fact, even just reminiscing about the chocolate has thrown my entire thought process.

If for whatever reason you HAVE to eat sugarless confectionary, i feel for you, but i can see that this product would serve a purpose. My only other suggestion for you though is you'd be better off eating 100% Dark chocolate, experiencing true cacao, then forcing yourself through this entire box.

RATING: 3/10

Isis Luxury Belgian Chocolates

New products are few and far between in stores at the moment since the Festive/holiday seasons have passed, so when i stumbled upon this box of chocolates in a coles the other week i must say i did get a little bit excited (the shame).

Being in a supermarket, its price was still fairly reasonably, cheaper then the Lindt but more expensive then the Cadbury's and Nestle products. I'm always a little bit hesitant about products labelling themself as 'Belgian Chocolate' because i think it is an overused term used by companies to try and convince us that their products will be rich and creamy. However on this occasion the label was probably justifiable.

A nice selection of centres ranging from kirsch cherry to gianduja, with milk,white and dark chocolate all included in the assortment. My personal favourites must have been the Royal Caramel and Amandine with its caramelised almond pieces. I do like the combination of nuts/caramel and chocolate. Hmmm.

A good selection of household chocolates, if you were looking for a cheap gift for a friend or teacher but wanted it to be more special then a box of Roses then this is definitely an option.

Rating: 7.3/10

Choco Mucho

This was a little something i picked up in a local Supa IGA the other day when i was buying my lunch. I hadn't ever seen it before and didn't recognise the brand so i thought it might be worth a shot when it was only a couple of dollars.

I must say, while it was bad enough to deter me from finishing it all in one sitting, it was basically a bigger/cheaper chokito bar which skimped on the fudge as the large hollow in my picture suggests. It had good elements of crunch and chew from the rice krispies and the caramel/fudge, but otherwise I don't see myself rushing back for another.

Rating: 6/10

Forgetful Blogger

Hi guys,

It would appear as though I've been quite slack in the kitchen of late with my lack of new postings, but infact it is more a case of I find a recipe, bake it, and then after i'm halfway through devouring it i go "oh gosh, i forgot pictures!" And lets face it, no-one finds reading a blog without pictures half as interesting.

So i apologise, I'm still learning, just be grateful I'm not a puppy and when i make a mistake it doesn't involve urine and warm sensation on the tongue of your joggers. Just for the record in the last 7 days i have baked an Apple/Walnut Loaf and cooked a hot'n'spicy Kasundi Chutney. NOT to be eaten together. As ia side note, also made reservations for 'The Lockyer's introductory 7-course degustation for their new winter menu. Looking forward to it alot, people should come along and support local business'!

Reminds me....I MUST TAKE PHOTOS!  Later days :)

Frosty mornings have me craving baking!

So this morning was the first predicted frost of the winter, predicted i reiterate, so i'm not entirely sure if it really was that cold or not, but it sounds like a good excuse to bake to me.

I've recently found recipes for a ginger and chocolate torte and mississippi mud pie, which interested me as i'm heading over to the states in December, but neither of those really seem like the thing that'll warm my belly tonight whilst watching masterchef, so im unsure what i'll end up putting together. Maybe some cute little puddings. Who knows.

In the meantime here are some more of the cheesecakes from my previously mentioned '10 Cheesecakes in 10 Days' phase...

Above: 'Ode to Elvis' Cheesecake ( Dark chocolate, peanut butter & banana on oreo's)

Above: Carrot Cake Cheesecake

Above: Jaffa Cheesecake (Choc-Orange)

Better late then never....

Hi Folks,

I've been meaning to create a blog and share all my cooking and adventurous chocolate collecting stories with the world, but its taken me a year or two to get my head in the right space. While i havn't got anything specific to post at this instant, i thought i'd give you a little sneak peak of my style with some cheesecakes i baked a while back during my '10 Cheesecakes in 10 Days' phase.

Enjoy...

Above: Peanut Butter and Jelly Baked Cheesecake

Above: Tiramisu Baked Cheesecake

Above: Snickers Baked Cheesecake

Above: Strawberries and Cream Baked Cheesecake