Thursday, November 25, 2010

Chocolat Moderne: Pumpkin Pique-Nique Bistro Bar

Ah, Thanksgiving. We all sit around and talk about what we are thankful for. I’d rather be different. First, here’s an entirely out-of-place picture of the view from my balcony.

The main reason for posting this picture here is to make you jealous of the fact that I see this all fall. Without even having to get dressed.

So back to chocolate. Seems like a good day to go on about something involving pumpkin. Yet I already posted my recipe for vegan pumpkin truffles.

Luckily, Chocolat Moderne sent me a very seasonal bistro bar in that package last weekend: The Pumpkin Pique-Nique.

The bar itself is made of an intense dark chocolate with hints of coffee and a bit of an earthy undertone, and just a bit of added sugar to blend the flavors. This particular chocolate is smooth and melts away very, very slowly, and the chocolate flavor lingers for an appreciable amount of time.

This dark chocolate certainly makes up the majority of the bar, and I could go for a higher filling to coating ratio, but that’s difficult in bar form.

The filling itself has thin bits of roasted pumpkin seeds, which are mostly noticeable via the crunch that they add to the texture. There is a clear sugar and pumpkin spice flavor, composed of what tastes like some nutmeg and cinnamon, though the spice flavor is relatively subtle. There are also little bits of candy mixed in, which are small enough to not overwhelm the praline while adding a bit of sugar. Texture-wise, the praline is just a bit dry, but is substantial enough to stand up to the crisp dark chocolate coating such that biting into the bar is very easy.

This would be a perfect after-Thanksgiving pumpkin-themed treat. But I already made a cake. And already finished most of this bar. Oh well.

10 comments:

  1. Wow, how do you find all these amazzzzing-looking chocolates? YUM!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. It was totally yum - Chocolat Moderne is a small artisan chocolatier, those folks really care and come up with interesting flavors and take the time to make it work. I hope to visit their chocolate laboratory (!) this spring. Happy Thanksgiving to the Ithaca crew!

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  3. I am an east coast girl that moved to Vegas eleven years ago for a job. I am incredibly jealous of the balcony view but I still want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Maybe this summer I'll retaliate with photos of dried up lawns and heat stroke victims.

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  4. I have been craving chocolate for days now. This chocolate sounds amazing! I would kill for a good piece of chocolate! Happy Thanksgiving

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  5. Lauren, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, too, even though I am very, very jealous of the fact that Vegas has a Vosges store AND a Teuscher store. Also, I am jealous of your pumpkin lasagna. Just a little.

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  6. Valen, there are so many great, simple dark chocolate bars out there - go treat yourself! Lake Champlain even makes some very small 0.3 oz bars that are a perfect little treat.

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  7. Wow, I have never had anything like that. I have to start getting in to some good chocolate.

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  8. I would totally do an exchange if it meant I got to see some Vosges or something with the storm trooper from your blog.

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  9. Wow, that sounds amazing! I wouldn't expect so many flavors in a chocolate bar, especially pumpkin and pumpkin seeds. That view is ridiculous!

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  10. The view is pretty amazing, and it's nice and quiet. Except when the garbage truck comes by. The pumpkin seeds are definitely a pretty neat addition. I feel like making brownies with roasted pumpkin seeds.

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