I’ve been feeling a little blue lately. It’s a barely perceptible, nondescript blue, like a bad color cast, which is the worst kind because it’s the hardest blue to define. I’m not quite sure exactly where it came from either. One day I looked around and it was just there. Every so often, a bunch of little things start to pile up on top of each other and the blue just sneaks in. I’m sure my recent “pot stirring” experience didn’t help. This blue is a tricky little sucker too. Depending on the direction of the light, it sometimes seems to disappear, and you think it’s moved on. But then, when you least expect it – poof – it’s back again, and your white balance goes all off.
There are only so many things you can do to ward off the “blue”. I already made homemade caramels last week, so my only other alternative was to bring out the big guns – chocolate. Did you know that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, has mood enhancing qualities? It contains small amounts of phenylethylamine - a mood-regulating chemical naturally found in the brain. Chocolate has also been shown to boost serotonin levels - our brain’s own natural antidepressant - as well as endorphin levels. Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced in the brain, usually during some kind of physical exercise, which serve to reduce feelings of stress and pain, and can actually induce feelings of euphoria and well-being. Just a few bites of your favorite chocolate can help chase away your blue too.
Short of nibbling on an actual chocolate bar, I can think of few ways to replicate that pure, intensely chocolate flavor. The best I know is with this chocolate sorbet from David Lebovitz’s The Perfect Scoop. With no milk, cream or eggs to muddle things up, this sorbet is pure, unadulterated chocolate love. And, if that doesn’t make you happy, I don’t know what will. read more >>
Filed Under: Chocolate, Cooking, Ice Cream and Frozen Treats, Quick and Easy, Recipes
