Less is more (and a blender cioccolata mousse)
| January 7, 2013 | Posted by ameliaps under chocolate, photo Friday, photography, photos |
This time of year, I see many people writing resolutions and I cringe a little: I have never been one to stick with January commitments… I believe changes come one-step-at-time, not all at once.
So mostly, I tend to see my whole year as an evolution process, where I learn as I go. I know myself too well to think that an impulse commitment will work, that a big resolution would stick. Rather, I aspire to apply micro changes, daily. Something does not work out? Ok, I take the hint and try it differently next time.
The typical “more-of-this, more-of-that” does not quite work for me. My life is a constant struggle to cut-out things (not add), to streamline (rather than increase), simplify (rather than add layers of complication), do/have/crave less (not more). Over time, I have found that I am content-er in the simple.
When it comes to my passions (food, photography, writing, reading, travel) I have many, too many… so I frequently struggle to focus and accept that just a little goes a long way. There is a serene realization that doing just ONE thing at a time actually yields more satisfaction and positive results, rather than trying to multi-task many things at a time.
In an era of MORE is BETTER, I believe that LESS is MORE.
What does this mean for this little blog o’mine? That maybe it’s ok to just post less frequently, maybe it’s ok to just post a quick thought/photo/recipe, maybe it’s ok not to have perfect photos (and too many of them)… hope you are with me! I have been saying (well, thinking) and trying to do this for a while, and have been inspired by one person in particular, Denise, who writes a gem of a blog, my aspirational space for expression.
So let’s try this now…
a. a few pics b. a small recipe
a.
In an effort to streamline “photo Friday“, here follow 3 selected diptychs of my holiday:
b.
In an effort to streamline recipes, here is a quick winning dessert: blender cioccolata mousse.
We had guests over one night over the holidays and I was not in the mood to bake but wanted a rich and delicious dessert without the effort.
I looked around the kitchen and all I had to start were eggs, cream and chocolate. Chocolate mousse came to mind, but I “cheated” with the process…
…this version does not call for whipping the cream and eggs separately, nor slow melting the chocolate. It comes together in 5 minutes in the blender.
Who knew? It was a fantastic improv.
| Blender cioccolata mousse |
|
- 7 oz. dark chocolate, cut in small pieces
- 1/4 cup boiling coffee (espresso preferable…of course!)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- (2 tsps. Grand Marnier or other similar liqueur, optional)
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp confectioners sugar
- Drop the chocolate pieces into the blender and add the boiling coffee. Blend for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Blend 20 seconds until smooth.
- Pour into small glasses (I use the small IKEA POKAL glasses).
- Allow to set in the fridge for a few hours.
- (Top, if desired, with raspberries). Voila’. Minimal effort, maximum result.
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Hi Amelia, great posting and excellent pictures.
Thank you for sharing your cioccolata mousse recipe, awesome!
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Amelia recently posted..Let’s make pastry basket & bread roses
thanks Amelia (so weird writing my name and referring to another person! I don’t know many Amelias)
Hi my homonym, you’re the 1st Amelia I meet in blogland.
Personally I don’t have any friend who got the same name as me.
Have a great week ahead, regards.
P/S You can address me as AME my nickname.
Amelia recently posted..Persimmon Pie
I’m all for simplicity and chocolate, and this recipe has both.
On the other hand, I haven’t quite given up on New Year’s resolutions. Even if I don’t always stick to them, there’s something to trying…
Frank @Memorie di Angelina recently posted..Sformato di tonno
Frank: I know, I do try small things… it’s hard to resist!
I struggle with the things you mentioned. Over the last few months I’ve noticed that my weekends are never relaxed. If I manage to sit down for an hour without being in front of my computer it’s because I’ve made a concerted effort to do nothing. I’ve identified the culprit to be my blog. I take too much time with pictures (because I really enjoy the activity) and I’m always thinking of the next meal that might be worth sharing. Good for the blog but stressful for me because I’ve seen other things fall by the wayside. Been trying a different approach and I feel more relaxed already. I love this blender mousse! Brilliant!
Jean (Lemons & Anchovies) recently posted..Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
Jean: like you, i was getting stuck in the blogging vortex and i felt that it was taking away precious time. So I tried to detach for a little and it was wonderful to see that I had regained my time…and a new perspective. I think it is possible to slow down with blogging yet keep a few quality postings and a loyal following. Cheers to that dream, at least!
I can feel the serenity here, Amelia. I like it. Much space to breathe.
Om, Denise. It is a good thing.
Yay for slowing down…less really is more. And 5 minute chocolate mousse? Yes, please!
Winnie recently posted..My Thoughts on Resolutions, NOT Dieting, and Buckwheat Cinnamon Rolls
Winnie: we think alike, on resolutions…and more
…out of vortex, very good, more time for peace and for thinking nice images, for loving yourself, relax, simplicity, slow down…I perfectly agree my love
yor mummy
“out of vortex”: mamma, such a good way of putting it. It takes time to figure that out, but glad I am getting there!
Amen, less IS more! It’s hard to always have that in mind in this stuff-centered society though!
I definitely want to try the mousse someday too!
Sarabell recently posted..The Queen Bee
Sarabell: glad you stopped by. It’s hard to detach…
Mitico! Devo provarlo al piu presto! Auguri di buon anno cara!
Augurissimi: un’altro anno di cose buone, Paula!
Simple and to the point. I always try to live by this less is more. It’s hard, but you make it work!
merci David: you are kind. I’ll keep trying: it’s hard.
I love that we have both posted chocolate for the first post of the year. I have taken the time recently to deciliter my life and I’m down to bare bones in terms of daily life- just caring for the boys really – enjoying it while I can!! A wonderful 2013 to you, Amelia.
Viva la cioccolata, Nicole! E buon anno anche a te.
Amelia, Happy New Year! Well, I’ve been really enjoying following your IG pictures. I have slowed down for blogging a lot to keep my priority straight. It’s been so hard especially when there are so many things to do in front of me. Hopefully I can continue focusing my time management better… I can get chocolate anytime of the day… looks delicious!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Chicken Katsu Bento チキンカツ弁当
Nami: slowing down is so difficult. I have a hard time sitting down! Chocolate helps…
Photo Fridays are just as beautiful on Thursdays. GREG
sippitysup recently posted..Learning to Love Wine- An Introduction
why thanks, Greg
I’m with you, each year I try to make life just a little simpler….just as tasty, but a little simpler. Cheers – S
Oui, Chef recently posted..Almost Chicken Saltimbocca
Simplicity is the most complicated of achievements, isn’t it, Steve?
Happy New Year Amelia! On that last note about simplicity, my new favorite old quote is from Leonardo da Vinci (apotheosis of genius). “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. That’s my new resolve.
p.s. I’ve been making a blender pot de creme for many years and serve it in Illy espresso cups, topped with whipped cream and chocolate covered espresso beans…ok now I’m in the mood for some cioccolata!
Donna: buon anno!!! so good to hear from you. I like the way you serve yours, in espresso cups… will do that next time
Ah, yes, new year’s resolutions… I always felt like I was just setting myself up for failure, and so was discouraged before I even started. Now my new year’s resolution is always the same and its the one I (try toremind myself of everyday: try to be better tomorrow than I was today. I calculate success by growth over time. I think this is what you were getting at too.
Sarah recently posted..More Galls.
Sarah: I am thrilled you stopped by to visit my little blog. I like your approach to growth.