Hey guys,
How are you all? The weeks are melting away and we’re in the middle of summer (big whoop)! The sultry days are hot and sticky, the expectant evenings balmy – and I’m now swiftly changing track to avoid the risk of sounding like I’m writing a racy novel.
OK, what have I been up to? In between writing and frolicking in the sun (I wanted to channel my inner Miranda Kerr but wound up feeling like a bouncy labradoodle), I met with some fellow coffee fiends last night in anticipation of the upcoming Chorlton Coffee Festival. I’ll be guest blogging for them and I can’t wait for next weekend, which is when it all kicks off (28th – 30th June 2013). I strongly urge you to check it out, because the itinerary looks amazing. Plus, if you pop along, I’ll be there (bonus!), so do swing by to say hello and give me a High Five! Expect more exciting deets of the Chorlton Coffee Festival in a standalone post over the next few days.
What else? Oh, I was lost in some absolutely riveting reads and dined at some terrific restaurants (write ups coming imminently, I’m currently ploughing through my writing pile). Now, one of my highlights was to have the good fortune to check out a brand spanking new dessert. Ladies and gents, boys and gals, I bring you the Cake Ball. Well, technically it’s brought to you by Sanjna, a fantastic artisan baker based in Chorlton, but you get my drift.
Salutations by Sanjna specializes in Cake Balls, a delicious hybrid of a cake and truffle available in delectable bite-size spheres. Her key flavours are Vanilla, Chocolate, Sticky Toffee, Carrot Cake, Almond and Baileys. I’m a sucker for good old vanilla, so my box was filled with these truffley balls nestled together in pretty pastel paper, just begging to be eaten.
One word – heaven. Seriously, they were scrummy. They come enrobed in a variation of milk, dark or white chocolate and I challenge you to make a Cake Ball last for longer than five minutes. The luscious Sticky Toffee had a delicious aftertaste of salted caramel, whilst the white chocolate exterior complemented the hint of dainty dates.
The Carrot Cake is one of my favourites, because the flavours of the lightly spiced carrot are intense and creamy, whilst the texture is crumbly and cradled lovingly by deliciously thick chocolate. What I love about these Cake Balls, is that they’re the perfect pick-me-up if you’re always on the go. Sanjna has thought of everything, from the flavours, to convenience of eating. They come lovingly prepared in a handy little box and can be tucked away in your clutch or laptop bag. I lunged into my mini box in a restaurant, which made me feel naughty and nice at the same time.
Of course I was close to re-enacting the When Harry Met Sally famous diner moment, but I managed to refrain – just about. Plus you don’t feel guilty, because instead of cracking open a big bar of chocolate or large dessert when you get those pesky sugar cravings, you can just pop one Cake Ball in your mouth and you’re all set. You won’t want to stop at one, because they are so goddamn moreish, but the knack is to have self control (I’m a Work In Progress).
I’ll be ordering some more Cake Balls for next weekend, after the madness of the Chorlton Coffee Festival has passed. Yup, it’ll be me, my duvet, a steaming cup of coffee, Sylvia Day’s Entwined With You (review coming as soon as I’ve read it) and Sanjna’s beyond brilliant Cake Balls (sorry, that sounded rude). The perfect day/night in. And I can’t wait.
Mucho Love,
RAxx