winter-spring things

It is almost the end of winter! In Victoria, the last few days' beautiful sunny crisp weather have made me feel like it is spring already. I wanted to share a few things I have been eating, reading, buying,  and anticipating lately:

• I love Ranunculus; they are so delicate and fluttery. They are also only available for a short while and it starts and the end of winter. They remind me that spring is on the way! These orange and white ones are from Rook & Rose, my favorite little flower shop in town. 

Just two cookies. Photo from Melissa at No. 2 Pencil

• This recipe for making just two cookies. It makes two huge, chewy cookies. I have been using this a lot lately; I sometimes really need a warm soft cookie with melty chocolate and don't necessarily want a whole batch of them around. These are easy enough to make after dinner for a somewhat portion controlled nighttime snack.

• This article about the dark and sometimes criminal truffle trade. I'm always interested in food production systems, but truffles have a particularly wild history. This Atlantic article reveals the deception, theft and murder within the truffle markets.  

Caramelized white chocolate. Photo from James Ransom at Food 52

• I keep seeing caramelized white chocolate everywhere. I saw it here and here and I made and used it here. If you find white chocolate a little too sweet sometimes, try caramelizing it. The flavour is deep and complex and toasty.

• I am so excited for The Grand Budapest Hotel. From what I have seen in the previews it looks so on point for Wes Anderson: funny, dark and very pretty. It hasn't started playing in Victoria so I'm counting down the days. 

Photo from terrain

• I want to string up these pretty lights in every room in my house and bask in glowy, soft, christmas-tree-light type lighting all year. 

Photo credit (flowers): Tyrel Hiebert