Letter to Erin 20151105

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Ah, chocolate.  I told you before that I couldn't find cocoa butter anywhere around here anywhere.  So the only thing available around here, besides the name brand chocolate, is cooking chocolate.  Cooking chocolate has that greasy feel and taste about it, so I figured that I could add a layer of water, and the grease would float to the top.  I had to "wash" the cooking chocolate 3 times before the greasy flavor disappeared, but the "feel" of it was still wrong.  So I added some powdered milk to it which improved the taste, but it still felt wrong: it turned out more cakey than snappy.  I don't think I diluted the powdered milk in properly.  But I think this is a losing battle: the fundamental nature of cooking chocolate is just plain gross.  I think I'll try adding some butter in next.  Otherwise, we're going to have to serve you British or Dutch chocolate.  The quality stuff, and IS available here.

Dinner was much more successful.  I still had that batter from yesterday that I made for the fried calamari, plus I also had that chicken rolled up in dough.  So I rolled that around in the batter, then deep fried it.  It turned out great!  Alhamdulillah.  Like a stuffed pie with a crispy shell.  I'm sorry but I only had one serving, but if you had been here, I would have split it with you.  Because you are my girl, and I love you and need you.