Behind The Scenes at Chocolate and I New York

We got our hands dirty at Chocolate and I New York 2010

Chocolate is a magical word.

By nature, it brings people together. From laborious beginnings mapped out by cacao farmers (the often-forgotten heroes of this sweet world), to artisan chocolatiers who have made chocolate-making a legit art form, to chocolate lovers (like yours truly) whose hearts have been stolen forever—love for chocolate seems to be as universal as love itself.

WD-50's Pastry Chef Alex Stupak (and a slightly starstruck dessert fan)

The White Chocolate Room and Chocolate Art by Ema

French Culinary Institute's Dave Arnold and Alex Stupak's Chocolate Pairing

Sampling chocolate from a chocolate time machine (yes, there was one)

Pastry Chef Alex Stupak plates up a storm

CINY Founder Virginie Delavaud and NY Chocolatier Roni Sue

Shoutout to Virginie, Scott, Marco, and the rest of the CINY team for a fantasmic chocolate celebration!

Due to a mad Valentine's week and excessive chocolate-eating, No-Bake Mondays is postponed to next Monday. This chocoholic is staying in bed today.

- Kris Alcantara

PS

A very special thank you to Phillip Tsai for the awesome photos!

No-Bake Mondays: Cookie Crumble Cake

No-Bake Cookie Crumble Cake. What a sweetheart.

Today, we get our art on. 

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and making homemade gifts, here's a ridiculously easy, hassle-free, and kid-friendly no-bake project. One of the things I love most about no-bake recipes is you get to play with food, and it's hard to screw up (although I should take that back because of this).This No-Bake Cookie Crumble Cake is BIG on chocolate flavor, and it's a pretty little thing too. And most of all, it's a great way to bust out your art skills and have fun!

No-Bake Cookie Crumble Cake

In Minutes 15 (give or take a few more depending on how creative you wanna get)

Ingredients

3 cups toasted rice flakes

1 whole unsweetened chocolate baking bar

1 whole semi-sweet chocolate baking bar

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/2 stick butter, melted

m&ms

Procedure

1. Melt baking bars on a bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until completely melted.

2. Stir in butter and condensed milk. I made mine really chocolate-y so don't be afraid to add a little more sugar, like maybe 1/3 cup condensed milk (instead of 1/4 cup).

3. Gently stir in toasted rice flakes.

4. Spray pan or plate with cooking oil or butter. Press mixture on it and set aside for two hours (or refrigerate for 1 hour).

5. With a heart-shaped cookie cutter (or your superb cutting skillz), make a heart-shaped hole and fill with m&ms.

As my nephew Logan likes to say, "ta-dah!"

- Kris Alcantara

PS

Chocolate and I New York starts today! I feel like I'm going on a hot date later and I have nothing to wear. Eep!

PPS

This is the first of Heart Art series. Stay tuned for more every day this week. And if you got some of your own, send it over at marriedtochocolate@gmail.com and I'll show it off for you!

Chocolate and I New York 2010

Chocolate, no one loves you like i do.

How sweet it is to be in New York!

See, Manhattan and I, we don't always see eye-to-eye on things (i.e. skyrocketing prices and mythical parking spots downtown). Next week, however, my love-hate relationship with this crazy little city will be tipped into full-blown L-O-V-E—not because it's Valentine's Day—because NYC is paying a special tribute to my sexy sweetheart: chocolate!

Chocolate and I New York is an annual gourmet chocolate appreciation extravaganza (i.e. chocolate heaven) that brings together chocolatiers, chocolate experts, chocoholics, cacao growers (and "cacao alchemists"), dessert chefs, food lovers, art enthusiasts, and just about anyone who has ever been taken by the so-called "food of love." And I'm very, very, excited to be part of it this year. I'm a volunteer and I'm doing it for L-O-V-E. 

The fun starts on Monday, Feb. 8 and there's a lot of chocolate-y things going on (see list of events here). I'm pretty excited about chocolate pairings (chocolate and sake, anyone?), chocolate tastings by premier chocolatiers (hello, Michel Cluizel!), and meeting WD-50's Alex Stupak! The event runs all week, all the way up to the Hearts Day on the 14th. Quickly, here's the info:

Chocolate and I New York, Feb 8 - 14, 2010
511 W. 25 Street
between 10th and 11th ave.
New York, NY 10001

If you're in the area, drop by and say hi!

- Kris Alcantara