use real butter

I brought half of the boca negra to work this morning to share the disaster with others. It solidified some more, but I think next time I’ll more than double the baking time.

looks better

Ro is on a spinach binge now. She of the “I gorge myself on a fruit/vegetable of the month” fame. Blueberries, watermelon, brussels sprouts, spinach… I find it amazing how she does this, but to her credit, she tends to binge on far healthier things than most people (and she’s probably really really regular!). I myself have migrated from brussels to spinach and broccoli this winter. I usually stir fry broccoli chinese style with garlic. On a lark today, I tried a roasting recipe from an old issue of Fine Cooking. I think I am in love with roasted vegetables.

**Jump for more butter**

Ah, Valentine’s Day – synonymous with giving flowers, chocolates, bling, and other crap. [Well, if you’re going to give chocolate, for the love of All That is Good and Decent in the World, give high quality dark chocolate!] I think the whole concept is quaint but stupid, mainly because I don’t think you need a specific day to be nice to the people you love. You should be nice and not an asshole as a rule of thumb every day. Sort of like the very merry unbirthday. I love the unbirthday. So Merry Unbirthday to everyone except for Katie (whose birthday is today). Nate F would probably ask, “Where’s the Love?!” Not to worry Nate. Here it is, man:

**Jump for more butter**

I made dessert for tomorrow night, partly because I wanted to treat Jeremy to something chocolaty, and partly because I wanted to torch something.

they shouldn’t sell these to just anybody…

chocolate espresso crème brûlée, ready for a hot water bath

Imagine my annoyance when I went to Whole Foods tonight only to find that they sell Valrhona in milk, not semi or bittersweet. Luckily, I have a large stash of callebaut, el ray, ghirardelli, and paris swiss flyer. I was debating between a chocolate flan and the chocolate espresso crème brûlées until I realized only one of them required the torch.