CHOCOLATES

By: Sylvie Reitman

The word alone conjures delicious remembrances. The taste, the texture the sweet smell. The memories of when and how we've received those sweets is often just a strong.

But the most special chocolates are the ones given on Mother's Day. When all Mother's are recognized and most are revered. A special day set-aside for the X chromosome, the carrier of life, the Birther, the Nurturer, the Mom, Mother.

A time in a woman's life when sweet little smiles give you miles of energy and patience. A time when diapers, lunches, and homework seem endless. A time when a peaceful house meant no fighting at the dinner table. A time when the children are in bed and a moment alone means you and your husband staring vacantly at one another with the day's exhaustion. And then he'd reach over, pick up that special box of chocolates, take one, then hand you the box. You'd smile and think wonderful thoughts about Motherhood.

As the years travel on, the children are still children and we all still look forward to that special day of recognition. Mother's Day. The day that we as women have come to expect our own box of that sumptuous delight, dark, light, chewy or with nuts. Chocolate is to Mother's Day as champagne is to New Year's Eve.

As we've all tried making fudge, brownies, oreo pie, and any combination thereof, hard candies, doughnuts, and even mousse au chocolat, there is nothing like someone else's'perfected' chocolates. Chocolate made by the masters is a shear delight to all of our senses. There is nothing but happiness when you recognize that certain paper wrapping from your favorite chocolate factory.

By this time in our lives we all have our favorite makers. Thankfully as we age and the gas prices go up and we drive less, most of our favorite chocolates are available on-line. The on-line stores may not let you pick and choose your own 1lb box, but at least they'll ship the prepackaged variety. This convenience at least let's us treat ourselves as we wait for Mother's Day to arrive yet again.

Sometimes it is extremely fun to include family with our love for chocolates, especially in springtime when the fruits are just beginning to sweeten. Or when you really don't want to "go out" and you're looking for something to do with great rewards!

Baking is a favorite and delicious activity. Some of the most memorable Mother's Days were spent with family, as a family, interacting. They were fantastic. Doing, being, counting.a truly wonderful way to spend time. And as a true chocolate baker, I would like to pass along some of my favorite chocolate information.

First of all, chocolate is good for you. Yes! It has been proven that it is a good anti-oxidant, in moderation of course. Now add some nuts and/or fruits to your confection and their you'll find a few more nutrients. Forget about the fact that it may bring on migraines, because for some, it may also stop them.

Secondly, chocolate used to be a form of money. And only the rich had a lot of it. Those in power used it also as a powdered drink; their version of money to burn.

It is said that chocolate is an aphrodisiac.

Double boiling chocolate is the best ways to calmly melt it.

If by chance your chocolate begins to burn, home economics history reminds us to use a vegetable oil and not a butter to try to de-grain our chocolate. It works like a dream.

The kitchen is a great mingling and chatting room, so when the children are hanging around melt some chocolate bars in the double boiler, or microwave checking every 15 seconds for about 1 minute maximum. While your chatting about their day and interests, reach for some fruit, slice and dip it into the melted chocolate. Or pour the hot, yummy liquid over ice cream! It makes conversations a little longer and a little sweeter.

Friends coming over? Need a perfect hostess treat? Here is the most elegant, easy set-up. Use either dip tray style servings or be creative. Try hollowing out an orange and placing the ingredients inside! Here's what you'll need: Farmfresh strawberries with the stems on; ½ cup of brown sugar; ½ cup powered sugar; 1 cup sour cream.. Then melt some chocolate bars in the microwave and dip the strawberries into the chocolate and then into the sugars! For a variety and a break from the chocolate, dip plain strawberries into the sour cream then into the sugars and devour. Your friends will be so impressed and it's so effortless you can still eat and chat and be relaxed with your guests.

Chocolate. Where does it really come from. It really mainly grows only near the equator. The rain forest, recently known for its party-like atmosphere, and the chopping of its rain forest, is home to many cocoa or cacao plantations. . The cocoa or cacao tree, as it is commonly known, is a native of the tropical regions of South and Central America. Nowadays, it is also cultivated in West African and Southeast Asian countries that have humid tropical climates and lie within 20 degrees of the equator.

First the beans pods are harvested. Then the bean pods are opened and piled in the hot sun for fermenting. The fermenting is the necessary precursor for the chocolate's flavor.

The beans are then shucked and then dried and taken to the chocolate factories.

The factories have their own styles at this point in the process, but the method is the same for all factories. Once at the factories the beans are roasted and sorted. The roasting makes the shells brittle and darkens the bean. Next the beans are broken and the shell is removed and the nib is extracted. The nibs are then ground into a chocolate liquor.

It is the chocolate liquor and how it is added to as to what makes it so delicious and creamy and light or dark.

Cooking with chocolate is really a very delicate process. And the masters have it hands down.

They "temper" the chocolate so that the stability is just right for that perfect confectionery look and taste.

We may have our favorite candy distributors, but when Mother's Day arrives this year, may others be as revered as I, as this special Mother, am treated every year with a weekend vacation. So, forget the fact that chocoholics anonymous will probably seek me out, the plain fact is that my family wants me to know how much they love and respect me. I am thrilled that they still insist upon showing me.

It certainly makes the pain of the ancient cesarean, breastfeeding, teething, toilet training, dog tail pulling, I-don't-want-to-go-school tummy aches, homework, I hate my teacher, I hate my family, teen know-it-alls, sun-worshipping, staying out until 2 AM lectures, college frats, close-call engagements, worthwhile.

Now, as the Mom, I must pack for the weekend! for all of us. It's just part of the job!

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