Easter Treats...

In the latest "Next" Magazine I found a drool-inducing recipe for  Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffle 'eggs' for Easter.  It sounded too easy to be true, so today I gathered together my ingredients to give them a go...

Firstly, the ingredients - dark chocolate, caramel condensed milk, cream, vanilla extract and sea salt flakes.

Melt the chocolate and cream in a bowl over a pot of simmering water.

Stir in the caramel, vanilla extract and salt (I did add a pinch of extra salt after tasting)

Cool in the fridge for a couple of hours.

Roll in cocoa powder or chocolate sprinkles (I combined the two).

I've made a small bowl to take to a friend's tonight - they'll be the ultimate taste-testers.  I have enough ganache left to make about 30 of these beauties!  I don't think they'll be egg shaped, but the longer the ganache is chilled, the easier it is to shape.  Obviously they need to be stored in a fridge to keep.  The magazine didn't say for how long, but I think they'd last a few days okay.  Let's face it, they're too delectable to hang around for very long un-eaten! So I'll have to make this batch up and share at work.

However, it is so simple, easy and cheaper than easter eggs, I think I might be doing another batch well before Easter!

The Final Product!

Torlesse Tasting

I went to a wine tasting tonight of Torlesse wines.  I've been to the winery in Waipara a few times, patted the dog, and tasted good wine.  Tonight was no exception, the difference is they came to Christchurch (without the dog!).

We had a tasting of 7 wines (both Torlesse and Omihi Road labels) as well as the Torlesse Tawny Port and their famous Cassis.  Unfortunately I was the sober driver, so I did a fair bit of emptying into the spittoon.  There wasn't a dud wine in the lot, although I'd have to say the least favourite, surprisingly as I like my Chardonnays, was the Omihi Road 2008 Chardonnay.  Although my friend said if I'd been able to have a little bit more, it was one of those wines that 'grows on you'.

Pick of the night for me tonight was my purchase - the Omihi Road 2009 Pinot Gris.  It was just lovely.  I'm not a big Sav girl, but their Torlesse 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is very drinkable and so reasonably priced.  It's a good wine for a summery evening drink.

When it came to the reds my pick was the 2010 Cabernet Merlot.

Then out came the Port... wow.  This is beautiful, and as good as any international one you can purchase.  It is also very affordable.

Finally, we finished with the Cassis, which is so versatile -  you can make cocktails, desserts, hot toddy's... (packed full of Vitamin C!).  Ribena for adults?? No way, this is so delicious you could cry!

All in all a great night, with informative and entertaining discourse, discussions ranged from the oak barrels and the "Angel's Share" (often referred to with whisky) through to talking about the Waipara area.

Oh, and a plug for the Waipara Wine & Food Festival 24th March - if you're in Canterbury that weekend, it could well be worth a visit.  I know I'm a local, but Waipara is well known for it's rieslings, and more... Plenty of world class wine being made here.

The Woolston Hop (Twisted Hop)

Mushroom Risotto

This month's outing (which is actually February's one, but with a short month we encroached on March) took us to the Twisted Hop - Woolston, or the "Woolston Hop" as it's referred to on the web.  The original Twisted Hop, of course, was in Lichfield Lane, now long gone after the earthquakes.  Envoking the rule to support re-opening venues, we turned up at the Woolston Hop at 12.30pm for a Saturday lunch. 

Garlic Prawns

Lovely airy space inside, with panels for soundproofing/acoustics, the new Hop has a nice vibe about it.  We decided, despite the grey day, to sit outside - which wasn't a bad choice given the sun started to come out and it wasn't cold.  There is a nice big gas fire out the back for winter nights in the outside seating.  There is also an upstairs seating area which is a nice option if you want to dine at night away from the noise and hustle of the main bar.

The menu is very concise - yet had enough choice on it.  2x Market Fish of the Day (served with morrocan spices, sauce and a chickpea salad), 1x Lamb Salad, 1x Mushroom Risotto and 2x Garlic Prawns were subsequently ordered.

Lamb Salad

Most of the table went for a cider accompaniment, although a Twisted Hop Pilsner was also ordered to go with the food.

Fish of the Day

The food was absolutely delicious.  I had the Lamb Salad which had a mediterranean feel with the salad, but the coated crunchy almonds were flavoured with star anise and added quite a different edge to it.  I would give it a good 4.5/5 for flavour.  Serving sizes were also substantial.

Service was excellent, with our host being very informative, helpful with pleasantly friendly demeanor.

Chocolate & Raspberry Torte

The desserts were enquired about and two partook in full dessert, with another two having ice-cream.

Funknstein Tart

All in all a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon of the  first Saturday in autumn, with a leisurely 2.5 hours of dining and chat.  I'll definitely go back.  The Twisted Hop also hosts numerous events, including a quiz, and upcoming events included a Jazz night and a Beer & Cheese evening.  I do feel with places like this, and The Brewery (part of the Hop family) in Wooston, the area is going to surpass Addington with venues.  

Well done to the establishment!

Cafe Valentino

Well the Divine Diners headed off for a "school night" dinner at Cafe Valentino this week.

This outing came under our "relocation rule" as we had not ventured there in it's new location in St Asaph Street.   The new CV is airy and roomy, yet still had the vibe of the old venue.  Perhaps it's the brick wall with momentos hanging on it - in true CV style.

Anyway we felt it was a great new venue and I personally loved the mosaic wood-fire pizza oven, visible from the main dining area.

Amongst the dishes ordered were the Mediterranean Salad (with lamb) which looked divine and was nearly my choice.  My two friends confirmed it was very good.  Also ordered were a vegetarian gnocchi dish, a seafood pasta.  I ordered the lamb shanks, as did one other, but we both went for the "little boys" version - with one lambshank rather than two.  Good choice, as I don't think I would have managed a second one - it was beautifully cooked but very filling, served on a lovely parmesan mash with a tomato and bean sauce.

A little time between courses while fine conversation was had, and yes we decided desserts would be ordered.  I was going to be so good, given that I'm trying to be healthy... but if there's Creme Brulee on the menu...  Suffice to say I ordered said dish!  Others ordered the Tiramasu (to share, and it was definitely a sharing sized serve) and the fabulous chocolate concoction "valentino al cioccolato".  One of the others went for a tea with a chocolate truffle.

All in all, we spent a great three and a half hours in this establishment and I think the consensus is that Cafe Valentino is back, better than ever. We certainly liked the high roof and openness.   Given time, I'm sure there will be more and more momentoes to adorn the wall as Christchurch rebuilds.

I forgot to take photos until the end, so unfortunately you only have our dessert selection to drool over!

4/5