Tulsa Food

I keep going back on forth on my opinion of Valentine’s Day. Part of me thinks, “I don’t need a special day set aside for me to profess my undying love to my husband. He knows I love him and I know he loves me and I don’t need February 14 to be set aside to help me convey that. Thank you very much.” It’s true, I don’t. But that’s just me. But then, on the other hand, there’s a small part of me that wants to go all out and get showered with presents, chocolate and diamonds. Yes, I said diamonds. And while we’re at it, pearls and rubies would also be nice. Okay, as for the jewel thing, maybe in my parallel universe where Mad Men’s Don Draper is my husband, and I am a fabulously-dressed housewife who throws lavish cocktail parties and drinks nothing but champagne for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Maybe then the jewel thing could work out. And if that whole scenario doesn’t pan out I will settle for chocolate. Yes, chocolate will just have to do. Poor me, poor me (fake tears).

I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of “love at first sight”.  I once worked across the street from Kokoa on Brookside and that’s exactly what it was. Kokoa was great for my taste buds and bad for my waist. I would visit often and tempt myself with a number of treats, truffles being my number one vice. Everything about Kokoa drew me in, the stark-white look of the modern shop, the brilliantly-colored orchids that were placed around the shop. Still to this day, I wonder how anyone can keep orchids alive and I was more than a little jealous that the talented Chocolatier Stephen Howard also has a green thumb. Oh, and did I mention the packaging? So pretty. Matte silver boxes with tiny square tags. If anything, I am a push-over when it comes to packaging. I will buy anything if the package is pretty and creative. Low, I know, but it’s true. But back to my truffle vice. So needless to say, Kokoa became my chocolate crack. Fast forward several years, I have a different job, Kokoa has moved and we have been like ships passing in the night. Long lost loves adrift at see. This week I have rekindled my love affair with Kokoa and just in time for the holiday. Despite wanting to purchase one of everything, I left with five truffles. Because after all, a girl does have to keep her figure. I purchased a champagne, cassis, framboise, key lime and white chocolate vanilla bean. All were beyond delicious. What I love so much about the truffles is that one can really taste all the ingredients. Champagne is my favorite beverage and unlike many other champagne truffles, I could really taste the champagne and it was dusted with shimmer dust, which really had me falling in love with it. Oh, and the lime was to die for. I love anything lime and it was so fresh tasting. The framboise was beautiful, the hearts (as you can see) making it more endearing. Not only did it taste wonderful, the aesthetic quality got to me again just like the star one. I know white chocolate is not always a favorite among chocolate connoisseurs, but this is not a truffle to shy away from. The inside of the white truffle was mixed with vanilla beans and it was just heaven. Well actually all the truffles were heaven. To say I ate only one a day for the week would be a lie. I ate all of them that night. I just couldn’t help myself. I had a glass of The Velvet Devil Merlot and had a little party for one.

[Show as slideshow]

So this Valentine’s Day if you find yourself alone, don’t be sad. Go out and get yourself some red wine (I love the Velvet Devil), go to Kokoa (go on Saturday they are closed on Sunday), rent a fabulous movie (my personal choices would be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Hannah and Her Sisters or Days of Heaven) and eat your box of chocolate. But of course if you are living in your parallel universe, mine being a 1958 homemaker, this is all a moot point. It’s Sunday, I’m in love and I am Don Draper’s wife, what more do I need? Well of course equal rights, pay and fidelity would be nice, but like I said, it’s 1958.

About the Author:

Molly is co-owner of Antoinette Baking Co. a locally-based company specializing in macarons, delectable cakes, madeleines and many other tasty treats. She is currently at work on a project which consists of creating and perfecting 52 macarons, one per week over the course of a year. The progress of this “52 Macarons” project is chronicled on her blog,”The Velvet Macaron”. Her goal, if not yet attained, is to become the “Macaron Queen” of Tulsa (if not the world). When not baking or blogging, Molly designs and sells aprons at Dwelling Space and Sage Culinary Studio. Some have suggested that Molly may have an unhealthy cake stand addiction.

antoinettebakingco.blogspot.com & thevelvetmacaron.blogspot.com

Be Sociable, Share Tulsa Food!

•