Mocha Viennese Swirls

November is finally here... Not cold enough though, but i really need to get in a little Christmas mood. What's better than some divine mocha cookies, that just melt in your mouth!!!! Trust me.. u're totally gonna love these ones!! ;)
Ingredients:
120 gr plain chocolate broken into squares
200 gr softened unsalted butter
50 gr confectioners' sugar
30 ml strong black coffee
200 gr all purpose flour
50 gr cornstarch (cornflour)
For decoration:
about 25 blanched almonds
150 gr plain chocolate
Preparation:
Melt the chocolate in a bain marie (bowl over a pan of hot water). Cream the butter with the sugar in a bowl until pale and smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate and then the black coffee.
Sift the flour and cornflour over the mixture. Fold in lightly and evenly to make a soft mixture.
With a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle, pipe about 25 swirls on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Allow room to spread during baking.
Press an almond into the centre of each swirl. Bake for about 15 mins in preheated oven at 180C.
Leave the cookies to cool a little, then transfer with a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.
Melt the chocolate in a bain marie. Dip the base of each cookie into the chocolate until coated. Leave to set.

Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee..;)
Good luck!
xoxo
B.

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Wonderland...

Financial crisis, social crisis, cultural crisis... The whole world is in fast forward mode and doesn't seem to stop... It's times like these that I just wish i could close my eyes and transfer myself to Wonderland....

If you believe in fairies, clap your hands....;)

xoxo

B.

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Barcelona, Spain - Part 2

Day 2 of the beautiful Barcelona trip..
Destination: Park Guell. When Nature met Gaudi. A monument of World Heritage, is named by Count Eusebi Guell, a Catalan textile enterpreneur, best known as a patron of Antoni Gaudi.
THe breathtaking view of the city is sure to capture your memory.

Park Guell can be accompanied by a visit to Gracia. Beautiful buildings of past centuries make you have a relaxed feeling and a sense of culture all around. Enjoy your sangria in one of the little shops with the tables out.
And since you're here, you have to taste some pure catalanian flavours. Try the Origens. A dreamy meal. ;-)
Next stop: Forza Barcaaaaaaaaa!!!! Camp Nou. Home of FC Barcelona since 1957. Seats 99.354, making it the largest stadium in Europe. Entering will give u goosebumps and feel like u're in the centre of the world.
If you have the chance, book a ticket and watch a football match. Still regret I didn't!! :-(

After that, walk Av.Diagonal towards the city centre and pay a visit to Piscolabis tapas restaurant. Choose between almost 70 different tapas to have with ur beer or sangria.

Day 3
Destination: Port Vell, L'Aquarium. 11.000 animals and 450 different species. The most important aquarium on the subject of the Mediterranean. You'll just be amazed by the colors some fish have..haha

I was thinking all the time what if that glass broke..with all those sharks swimming above you..eww..just..DON"T think about it!! lol
Close to the aquarium is the zoo. I didn't go, but some of my friends did and said it was beautiful but very very tiring. Don't know, so can't really say..
I preffered to visit Poble Espanyol. One of the most amazing places I went to. Absolutely loved it. You'll find lots and lots of shops..Macrame, masks, ceramics, carved wood, jewellery and of course hand fans. Be sure to visit the glass workshop. Smells like candy..:-)
We ate at a cute restaurant sort of medieval. Don't remember the name and don't have a card.., but you'll find plenty of places to eat there.

Last day, was dedicated to shopping...lol El Corte Ingles is one of the biggest department stores in Barcelona.
Custo Barcelona, Desigual, La Gauche Divine, La Boheme, Mango are some of the shops that will make ur wallet thinner..

Oh..and I mustn't forget..Bellart Chocolatery. The best chocolate shop!! ;-)

This post is dedicated to my friend Indra!! Hope u have an amazing, magical trip with great experiences and memories to last for a lifetime!! :-)

xoxo
B.

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Two hands..

"I had to grow old, my boy, to finally learn what happiness is..
Happiness is a pair of hands, two hands..
Those who will hug you, hold you, put you to sleep, take care of you, cook for you, stroke you..
And in the end, will close your eyes.."

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A talent revealed..

I ran into a youtube video the other day of a young boy, named Sungha Jung and just remained speechless. The boy is a hell of a talent!! Absolutely incredible!!
Enjoy it..and be sure to watch his other videos too. I'm sure u won't regret!!

xoxo
B.

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Barcelona, Spain - Part 1

Since I was a little child I liked to read books and picture myself in places around the world. Different cultures and new places always fascinated me.. I liked to read about ppl who travelled to Morocco, Casablanca, India, Egypt, Africa, Europe or made road trips in the US.. Going to all of these places has been a life dream..
The other day a friend of mine told me about her upcoming trip to Barcelona, Spain. Made me remember my first trip abroad..
Barcelona t'estimo..Means "Barcelona, I love you" and whoever visits feels the urge to shout it.
My sweetest, most enjoyable travel adventure.
Land of Gaudi, Miro, Picasso, Dali. A city-jewel waiting to be discovered and adored..
I visited Barca for 4 days..very few for so many things to see. It was mid-October. The weather perfect for enjoying my trip.
Arrival at El Prat airport at almost 10 am. Great minimalistic decoration and very friendly employees.
I was staying at America hotel. Beautiful, spacious, clean rooms, in the centre of Barcelona, just a few minutes walk to Psg.De Gracia, the fashion shopping area. ;-) The cutest, friendliest guy at the reception, a pool on the roof top and a breakfast to die for!! lol

With a city map in hand and a lot of happy mood, I started my exploration in the streets of Barcelona. Destination: Placa Catalunya and the famous La Rambla, with 1.5 km length leading to the Port, where lies the 75 m statue of Christopher Columbus, showing..what else?? America.. Take the elevator and go up. The view is amazing.

Walking the Rambla you can see joglers, flamenco dancers, ppl who sell birds, bunnies, hamsters, flowers, souvenirs and just feel the noise of the city..cause the Rambla never sleeps.

Don't miss visiting the La Boqueria, a paradise to ur senses!!

Big public market, where u can find all kinds of fruit and vegetables and of course Jamon Cerrano!! (Hope I wrote that right..lol It's a kind of smoked ham, served raw in thin slices..sth like italian prosciutto) In the market, there is a little place that serves baby squids with garlic and basel...OMG...it's just a sin to ur mouth..I just don't remember the name of the place. Will check my notes and keep u posted.
In the side of La Rambla there is the gothic neighborhood, Barri Gotic, the oldest place of the city.

Small streets like labyrinths will travel u to the Middle Ages. You will see impressive buildings like the Parliament and the Cathedral. Coffee shops, restaurants, tapas bars and lots of socializing with ppl from all around the globe.
Next stop: La Sagrada Familia.

The Temple of the Holy Family is one of the largest and most impressive in the world, almost reaching perfection. An extraordinary project of Gaudi, who dedicated 16 yrs of his life to accomplish it. You can also take the elevator and go up the towers so that u can admire the view from above. It was too crowded when I visited, so skipped that part. :-/
Next: Casa Batlo, in Psg.De Gracia. Restored by Gaudi in 1905 consists one of the most representative samples of modernish in the city. Behaind its facade lies an architectural treasure...

To be continued....

xoxo
B.

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Summer Holidays - Lefkada, Greece

Hey guys!! :-) It's been a while since I last wrote..so hope everyone's well and enjoying ur summer holidays. I've been to Lefkada island this year. It's a beautiful place in the Ionian, Western Greece. Amazing scenery, light blue beaches that make u feel like u're swimming in a pool, lots of green, tastefull food and very friendly people. If u visit, be sure to go to Porto Katsiki, one of the most famous beaches in the world and Egremnous. It has almost 350 steps but is totally worth it. ;-)
I'm posting some pics of the places I went, so that u can at least mind travel with me.

xoxo
B.

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