Monday, November 10, 2008
Cooking the Books Artisan Chocolatier Launches Book and Boutique
Posted by Carrington Fox on Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 5:00 AM
Artisan chocolatier Bethany Thouin loves her chocolate, and she loves her friends. With the help of co-author Angela Fox, she weaved those elements together into Chocolate Covered Friendship. The tiny book, dotted with chocolatey anecdotes, Biblical scripture, poetry and a handful of recipes, was released this fall, just as Thouin is relocating her boutique, The Cocoa Tree, from Franklin to Germantown.
More of an inspirational stocking-stuffer than a culinary manual, Chocolate Covered Friendship is primarily an ode to Thouin's friends and the flavor combinations they inspire in the line of truffles by Bethany:Chocolatier. For example, Thouin's sister Sarah “is a constant source of spiritual nourishment.” For her, Thouin created a Frangelico truffle with toasted hazelnuts for nourishment, hazelnut liqueur that is strong and flavorful and milk chocolate for her sweet devotion.
For her ex-assistant Crystal, Thouin makes a truffle flavored with coriander (a calming spice) and shredded coconut (which reminds her of Crystal's messy habits). For her tenacious-and-sweet friend Renee, there's chili pepper and milk chocolate. For her tall-tale-telling pal Kelly, there's a coffee-flavored truffle. “Just like Kelly,” Thouin writes, “the dark chocolate in this truffle gives me a swift kick in the pants and says 'Get up and at 'em!' ”
Ah, my dear Bites friends, I should like to make truffles for you all, to express in most delicious and metaphorical terms the complex combinations that are your personalities. Mr. Pink, you are so loyal and intelligent, I would infuse your truffle with the salty dust of zesty taco and chipotle ranch flavored Doritos. And Fluffernutter, with your keen wit and tireless curiosity, I would make for you a chocolate of andouille and chai....
Come to think of it, maybe this is a job for Bethany:Chocolatier at The Cocoa Tree, which opens Nov. 22 at 1200 5th Ave. N. (See coupon below for a free truffle.)
If you could ask Bethany to make a truffle for you, what flavors would it be?
Comments (9)
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Mr. Pink, you are so loyal and intelligent, I would infuse your truffle with the salty dust of zesty taco and chipotle ranch flavored Doritos.
Wow, thanks. I guess arsenic is too fast-acting.
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I'm so touched... with nausea and gratitude. Could I just have a chocolate covered peanut butter and marshmallow truffle? Perhaps with a touch of orange zest?
I would ask for a chocolate wasabi truffle. I've tasted the Paz sister's Chocolate Wasabi paleta, and I think I'd like to see Ms. Thouin take on that combo.
I think I'd like to be a cayenne, dark chocolate, raspberry combination. But her white chocolate raspberry truffle can probably beat anything I could ever imagine.
With all due respect to the author's chocolate-making abilities, books like these induce my gag reflex.
Sticky Fingers, you sound like you have an insight -- pull up a chair and share.
