Chocolate trifle for my mother-in-law's birthday.

I made a chocolate trifle. It was a first, it was decadent and it should not be consumed in large quantities for fear of a sugar overload. The base was a fudge brownie which I drizzled a mixture of instant coffee and Amarula (which had been heated to dissolve the coffee granules) into. The next layer was a chocolate pudding (Angel delight in my English world) which I tossed a mixture of white and dark chocolate chips onto for some crunch. This was then topped with freshly whipped cream. Repeat these 3 layers and then crush a Crunchie bar and top the trifle off with the crumbs. 

This was completely in contrast to the traditional and light trifle that I normally make, with Amaretti biscuit base (laced with Sherry), fresh berries and peaches covered in a raspberry jello (jelly in the English world!), a layer of custard follows, topped with freshly whipped cream and finished with chocolate shavings. 

Back in the comfort of my kitchen.

I was so excited to get home after a week of being away, and though it is a luxury to have to eat out every day it does get tiresome after a while and I couldn't wait to make my first dinner at home. Herb roasted chicken drumsticks, baked potato and steamed broccoli. I use a white or yellow potato instead of a baking one, they tend to crisp better. I also cut time and cook it in the microwave first, about 10mins for a large potato, then put it into a pre-heated oven and wait till it goes golden and crisp. You can also just cook it from the get go in the oven but it will take about an hour at 400. Just add a small amount of butter and some pepper and you really get to taste the potato for what it is!

Delicious poutine in Montreal.

 I had wanted to sample some poutine here in Montreal and after scouring the internet was still unsure where I was going to go to find it. I was very pleased to walk past this place today (Burger de Ville on Saint Laurent) and look through the window and see lots of people eating poutine, and burgers! I would definitely go out of my way to find poutine like this!

Freshly made fries, cooked in peanut oil till golden and crispy. Generous serving of cheese curds that had perfect texture and the 'squeak' when you chew them. The gravy, which can make or break a poutine, was wonderful. It is made with real veal stock and tasted like a gravy you would hope to serve at home. I was very impressed!