How did chocolate get in that crevice?
It must have a way with you.
Toothpick Tuesday topics:
The ratio of:
food that makes it into your mouth : food that lands on your couch
nice hoodies : filthy hoodies
trust : stains
chocolate : popcorn : coconut
It’s so confusing. One second it’s in your hand and heading for your mouth. Next, it’s ricocheting off your cheek and onto…. fuck, I don’t know where it’s gone. Usually, I’d let it slide, like if I was in the kitchen. The floor can have it, I clearly wasn’t meant to. But if I’m on the couch, there’s an ounce of unease.
My XXXL filthy grey hoodie normally catches the disarray. It’s a dual-purpose outfit. Warmth and a walking bib. But, when the food’s not on my top, and not in my mouth… where is it?! I’ve stained the green cushion and 4/6 couch cushions. I can’t be a repeat offender, again again.
But now, the stakes are much higher. Emily just bought a white couch (with five-year insurance for any spillages and any fluids). Very smart, very exciting, very nervous. The first meal on the couch I ate on a large towel. Then I gained more confidence and nursed just a tea towel. And today, we ate dark chocolate. So brave.
It was salted popcorn and coconut coated in dark chocolate. So, it’s bounty popcorn.
On an ideal week, I have a rendition of this ready-to-eat. Sometimes it’s got nut butter through it too, sometimes it’s Corn Thins instead of popcorn, and other times there’s lots of peanuts and pretzels. It varies, but it’s the same idea. Melted chocolate, snapped frozen to hold all the crunchy bits together. It’s trustworthy. Like Emily letting me eat on her nice new couch.
HELP ME!
Eat it.
It melts fast, so if it falls, it will melt from your body heat onto the cushions. It’s a calculated risk for fabrics, your mouth and your fingers. But I still take my time because it tastes nice, and I like to lick my mouth, and my fingers.
It also crumbles a bit when you carve it up, so you get chocolate popcorn kibble. Aim these for your mouth too, if not, I hope it lands somewhere …. safe.
POPCORN BOUNTY BARS
250g dark chocolate
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp date syrup *
50g salted popcorn
50g toasted coconut chips, plus extra to top
80g roasted cashews *
flakey sea salt
Melt the chocolate, coconut oil and date syrup in bursts in the microwave, giving a little gentle stir in between each. You could also do this in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Microwave is easier, but up to you.
Add the popcorn, coconut and cashews to a bowl. Pour over the chocolate mix and stir until well combined.
Press the popcorn out on baking paper on a plate, but I like a 20cm square cake tin for stability. Top with flakey sea salt and extra coconut.
Freeze until set, about 1 hour. Slice and serve. Safe.
THE SUBS
date syrup » maple syrup / honey
cashews » your go-to nut / seed
