Almond Pistachio Chocolates

I for one, firmly believe in the power of chocolate. I’ve talked about it before but there is a lot of things about chocolate that make it hard to resist. I have always been the one to always stick around for the magnetic aroma of a fresh cracked bar of dark chocolate. Something about the smell of chocolate locks me in place, practically seizing me where I am and forcing me to use my senses. When I say senses I really mean more than just tasting or smelling, but seeing and feeling, even hearing. All 5 senses coexist in the world of chocolate.

Hearing the snap of well tempered dark chocolate bar, feeling the velvety and slightly gritty slick in between your fingers when its melted, smelling that incredibly familiar acidic espresso like scent, seeing that intimate drip of melted goodness hanging on a scraper for dear life, and finally tasting that undeniably decadent flavor that seems to be one of the most effective ways of silencing someone. Although there is no reason to stop there. Plain chocolate in it’s simplicity is wonderful, but it can always be enhanced with other things such as fillings. Which brings me to the world of confections, a place I’m not incredibly familiar with when it comes to making them but easily a place I am in love with. It’s somewhat of a puzzling relationship that I have with confections, more of a love/hate relationship.

I haven’t actually eaten a “real” confection in a very long time, simply because they aren’t healthy and I’m not very good at indulging. Sometimes I kind of wish I was better at giving myself a little bit of a break and just enjoying something like a high quality French chocolate, but I just haven’t been able too since I accomplished what I did. It’s mostly fear that keeps me from doing it, but I’m certain I’ll loosen up eventually. But I still love the art form and beauty behind a well crafted chocolate. In fact one of my favorite chocolatiers ever would have to be Patrick Roger. He is a mad genius to put it simply. His confections are massively above the rest, and they taste and look amazing and gorgeous.

I haven’t actually had one of his confections since my accomplishment but have enjoyed them in the past and a very long time ago at that. That is how good they were. I remember exactly how they tasted, smelled, looked and felt and I will never forget. His creations are not only beautiful but they are powerful. Their appearance not only present power but their flavor present power. Sensual and sinister at the same time. Sometimes my finger twitches at my mouse over the online store on his website. Just contemplating, but never really getting around to it. Obviously I have had the worst craving for chocolate so I had to make something or else I would have to find someones eyes to claw out.

So I set out to make what I could and started with one of the chocolates I remember from Patrick Roger which had an almond and pistachio filling I believe. I did what I could to some what replicate it, but didn’t really come close. At least it will keep me at bay enough to not claw someones eyes out. I also had a lot of fun doing this so I don’t think this will be my last time experimenting with the world of chocolate confections.