Hot Fudge Sundae
If there is one food that makes me come alive, it's a hot fudge sundae. Since summer is nearly here, I thought my family's ice-cream recipe and fudge sauce might be a good post for everyone sheltering at home.
Grandma's hot fudge sauce is the best. Think it might be the evaporated milk.
Growing up my family loved picnics, and there was almost always homemade ice cream. My sister was the oldest cousin and knew to volunteer first on the hand cranked ice cream maker. That's when the handle was the easiest to turn. It was years before I figured that out. I was always one of the last, turning that crank as hard as I could. But we were highly motivated. The helpers got to scrape the ice cream from the spindle.
Did you know that 83 billion dollars worth of chocolate are sold annually, worldwide? Chocolate lovers consumer over 7.2 million metric tons each year.
Cocoa pods flourish near the equator with 70% of cocoa coming from West Africa. 90% of those crops come from small farmers. Eat chocolate. You are supporting small African cocoa farmers.
And very importantly these days, chocolate is a mood booster as cocoa raises serotonin levels in the brain.
Ten of the Best Chocolate Festivals in 2020 and 2021
Probably best known for its chocolate fashion show, Salon du Chocolate is a yearly chocolate show that began in 1994.
October 21 - 25, 2020, Opening night October 20th
This annual chocolate festival takes place in the capital of the Umbria region of Italy. This ten day festival has been one of the largest in Europe since 1993.
October 16 - 25, 2020
From chocolate bean to chocolate, this festival celebrates the culture of chocolate
September 24 - 26, 2020
Includes exhibitions, chocolate art, workshops, theatre
December 1 - 6, 2020
This chocolate festival began in 1984 and in 2000 St. Stephan was named "Canada's Chocolate Town." There are family friendly events, entertainment and competitions.
August 2 - 6, 2020
Often named the best Chocolate Festival in North America, this festival celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. It has workshops and exhibitors from over 20 countries.
November 7 and 8, 2020
Launched in 2011, this hot chocolate festival's motto is "Hot chocolate makes you happy," and even has an Instagram contest.
January of each year
Benefits six local non-profits and Hawaiian cacao growers. Includes Hawaiian plantation tour, demonstrations, auctions and a gala
August 14 - 15, 2020
Exhibitions, presentations, demonstrations
Next date TBA
An while you are waiting to be able to travel, there is always the online chocolate festival.