"bite" news and stories

If you never saw the show Sweet Dreams on the Food Network (which is, much to my surprise, still on the air even though it seems like it has been years!), you have been missing out. Hosted by Gale Gand, the pastry chef/owner of Tru restaurant in Chicago, the show was one of the very first programs to be entirely dessert and pastry oriented. And for any fan of baking, it was a must-see. Gand is extremely talented and is the author of a number of cookbooks, but in Gale Gand's Just a Bite: 125 Luscious Little Desserts, she tackles the types of bite sized desserts that are oh-so elegant and still rich enough to satisfy.

Impressive enough for any pastry chef to present after a really elegant meal, the recipes in the book are also- thanks to Gand's clear instructions - perfectly work-able for the home chef looking for something a cut above the average dessert. It includes lots of retro-inspired recipes that will take you back to your childhood, with (Caramel-Orange Rice Crisps) or without (Peppermint Stick-White Chocolate Bark) a twist. Among the other recipes are Cannelés, Blackberry Brown-Butter Financiers and Banana Brûlée Spoonfuls.

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Worried about GM Easter chocolates or just generally concerned for the environment? This Easter take a look at the Hoppy Treats from Endangered Species. These individually wrapped chocolates are .35-ounces of socially responsible goodness. All Endangered Species chocolate is ethically traded to ensure fair wages and good working conditions for farmers and employees and the chocolates are all-natural. The chocolates come in milk and dark varieties. The dark chocolate is 70% cocoa content and is certified kosher. The milk chocolate has a 52% cocoa content and is also certified kosher. They sell for $5.50 per pack of 24 candies.

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