Monday, January 28, 2013

CHOCOLATE GIVEAWAY {JUST 'CUZ}

Just 'cuz it's January.
Just 'cuz it's SNOWY.

Just 'cuz the holidays are over.
And 'cuz I felt like dipping more chocolate last week.

I thought I'd do a GIVEAWAY!

Just 'cuz.

And just 'cuz I've been emailed asking how I dip.

I'll show ya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiCmMcmtmz0&list=HL1359409510
(Yes, that is me)
Good quality chocolate doesn't have wax in it.
Yes WAX! That's what makes candy bars shiny!

So the chocolate must be worked to mix the cocoa butter and chocolate together so that you have a shiny product as the chocolate dries.
If it hasn't been worked well
or if there is too much humidity in the air,
or if the room isn't cold enough....
the list goes on and on....
anyway if the conditions aren't perfect you will get white streaks in the candy.

That is bad.

After the chocolate has been "worked" enough and is cool,
then each chocolate needs to have a "sign" put on it so you know what's inside.
Like a caramel or orange cream or cinnamon bears.
Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwT-EkEUuLc

My mom dips chocolates.
I grew up watching it.
Then I worked for Florence.
I worked 8 years for this amazing lady and she's built an incredible business.
I no longer work there, but the dipping bug still bites me!

So my chocolates aren't all gorgeous like the above photo.
But I use the same chocolate and I think they taste ok.

So leave a comment.
Just 'cuz.

You're entered into the giveaway.

I'll end it on Super Bowl Sunday.
Just 'cuz.

41 comments:

Ginger said...

Oh man! I REALLY hope I win!

Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate! :)

Julie said...

You are skilled. What a beautiful hand to chocolate dance your videos show. Wow. Lucky lucky winner!

jen said...

This brings back such memories for me. My grandma worked for Snelgrove's in SLC for years and years and she used to have a "cold room" at her house every December to keep her pounds and pounds of dipped chocolates perfect--mints and caramels and cherries and lemon and marshmallows and . . .

Now she's gone and the idea that you're dipping and sharing that joy with your family makes me smile and remember what a great lady she was. Your family is lucky.

Connie said...

Count me in...just cuz!

Barbaloot said...

Okay- I never realized how intense your process was! What do you do if someone comes to the door and your hands are all covered in chocolate like that?!

Happy Mom said...

You're sooo fast!

mCat said...

My comment is to send Tammy the chocolates in the give away. She needs them right now more than any of us!

And, really - you're kind of my hero what with watching you work your magic like that with the chocolate. The only times my hands moved like that was in multiple beat downs on a kid or two

Unknown said...

Heh! Do I count? I work at Florence's now…… No, seriously, I do!! But I NEVER turn down chocolate. And think of the money you'd save in shipping! I'll treat YOU to lunch!! But maybe that sounds like a bribe…

PS- I'm not involved with the hand dipping that is done downstairs. I have the honor of working upstairs on the enrobing machine. ☺

Peters Chocolate is THE BEST!!!!!

Unknown said...

Here's a video a student made during the Christmas holidays. I agree with you about Florence. She's an angel!!
http://florences.com/node/8

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That is truly an art. I enjoyed watching the videos. Those will be yummy in my tummy!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Betty I knew you worked at Florences!!! I actually went down and worked an all nighter filling up about 20 nut trays! Ahhhh, the good old days.
Ya, the old days, we didn't have the enrober.
I bet you love it. Those are some pretty wonderful people that work there. Ask Connie about the "gift" I made her one year.

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

I'm in heaven just thinking about your chocolates!

wendy said...

This is quite a skill I think!!! Nothing tastes better then homemade dipped chocolates....maybe it's the love tucked inside !
I love ya...just cuz

Debbie Jones said...

Awesome. I had no idea you are famous! Would love to to be entered in your giveaway. Those chocolates look so good. On my mother's side of the family, there were chocolatiers...The Toveys..can't remember the name of their candy company just now. My mother dipped chocolates at Sweets Candy Company in Salt Lake City before I was born. Thanks for this giveaway...sure hope I win!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Wow! I had no idea you were such a pro!! Very impressive!

So.... pick me! MEMEMEMEMEMEMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

life in red shoes said...

Did someone say CHOCOLATE?
Have I told you that my grandma was a dipper? For years and years, she was quite sought after.
Oh and she smelled so good when she would stop by our house after work! She would brind us a little bag of seconds :)
It's a dying art, I should have had her teach me, she probably knew I would lick my fingers ;)

life in red shoes said...

Jen, my grandma worked for Snelgroves too! And Fernwoods and Cummings. Sweet memories.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Even on Weight Watchers we're allowed chocolate. So I think you should pick me. :) blessings, marlene

Saimi said...

Holy cow sista that's a lotta snow! Two of my boys both sent me picture text of that very snow fall. It's no wonder why you wanted to stay in and make chocolate, heck all I'd want to do is eat it!

m2mommy said...

loved watching your skills on the video!!

Kristina P. said...

Get in my belly!!

Doran & Jody said...

That video was cool to watch!
And here I thought chocolate dipping was much more delicate. Psha!

You. Are. A. PRO!!

Queenie Jeannie said...

Hun, if I can't win....and I realllly want to!!....could you PLEASE send me some cinnamon bears??? That would be so fabulous!!

Kristen said...

Ive never seen chocolate fly like that!! It was fascinating to watch. I sure miss you lady!

Mikki said...

ooh.ooh.ooh.ooh. me, me, me, me!!!!
I think you need to keep drawing winners names until you come to mine. :)
lol
I love the video Tauna! So cool. You are amazing, it's truly an art.

Emmy said...

Oh I would love love love to win as really can you ever get enough chocolate??

And so impressed that you do that.

lesa said...

Me, oh me!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Yum. Well I am a HUGE fan of chocolate. Thank you :)

Connie said...

I'm leaving a comment. Just 'cuz...I LOVE your chocolates! That's why! I also love the video of you dipping.

Unknown said...

who the heck does not want to win chocolate? do you needa reason????

Joanne said...

I live for chocolate! Thanks for the great giveaway!

Meryl said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I LOVE chocolate!

Lou said...

Thanks for the great giveaway!

Lily Anne said...

Oh gosh, I just gained 10 pounds!
I so love chocolate! So much love goes into the making of good chocolate, and I appreciate all the hard work. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! Hope you are having a great week

Unknown said...

Me. I want it. Bad.

Michael & Wendy Mecham said...

do your kids ever ask to "lick" your hands. Mine would volunteer to be a portable dish washer

Ann Marie said...

Don't enter me today... I just ate a little box of homemade chocolates in less than 24 hours.

*hangs head in shame*

No really.. I blame it on their goodness.. and the ending of Downton Abbey.

Yep.. that's my story.

Love ya.

Susan Christy said...

My favorite food group - chocolate!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

OH my gosh I hope I am not too late.
Went to bed thinking about you so I had to come by and check on you.
YOU make the best candy in the world so please enter me just be cuz.
Love ya
Maggie

gigi said...

Might as well throw my name in the pot too and make it and even 40!
Love, love, love your chocolates!

Amy said...

Yum! Hope I made it on time!