To Market

 

The day after we went to the Kadetball, we had a large-ish party at our house.....with caterers, I might add;  otherwise, I'd have been on the verge of a breakdown instead of having fun surrounded by Naval Pomp and Circumstance the evening before ;-).

But, there were still a few things to order and purchase before it all kicked off. 

 

unpacking the market finds

 

 

These photos are from the morning of the Navy Ball, (and day prior to the dinner party), while Eliza was at choir practice. 

 

I wandered over to the Copenhagen Indoor Market Halls and started with my favorite, favorite place for coffee:

cortado -- a new direction from my usual "americano"

The Coffee Collective, where they are *quite* serious about the magic that happens between hot water and those glorious little beans. 

It just makes party planning seem so much easier. :-)

Look what I found on the pocket of my coat, while I was sitting there, too: 

life is a journey - stay warm - keep dry

I didn't know that was there.  I've worn that coat now for over a year -- see what good discoveries come from having a cup of coffee? 

This market has the most wonderful little shops....

 

......this one has an impressive variety of unusual herbs....

......and of course there are fish stalls :-)....

 

 

......plus little shops with artisanal foods from Danish farms.  I think I need one of those compost buckets. 


There is also a small outdoor market section:

flowers came from here....

 

It also should be noted that this sunshine we had last week made every moment seem just a little bit easier, lovelier, friendlier, happier.  The sunshine kind of makes me feel like I'm in love or something. 

ha ha!

two chocolate shops:  a xoco and summerbird

 

Even though I had help with the food someone doing ALL the food for the next day, I wanted to get some chocolates to add to the dessert table. 

summerbird tower of cream and chocolate

 

Denmark is a great place for food, especially chocolate -- and there has been a sort of "licorice wave" in Denmark recently.  Usually I'm not a big licorice fan, but I have to say the Danes have converted me. 

a xoco corner with all kinds of treats

 

They strike an exquisite balance between the two hemispheres of licorice.....and when the balance is just right, licorice has a caramel nuance. 

See how I've been influenced?? :-)

But, let's take a closer look at that corner display:

I think I need some of those chocolate molds for Christmas....

Okay, okay, so back to the current work --  boutique chocolates -- WITH licorice -- it was to be for my guests.  Here is a peek of how it all came together the following day:

pink chocolate + licorice bon bons

small caramel + salt, caramel + licorice, ganache truffles

chocolate covered creams - regular and with passionfruit

square truffles with cognac, champagne and bittersweet chocolate

More about the dinner party to come.....but, in the meantime, I was happy in the sunshine and with my plate of edible beauty for the following day.   That hour of choir practice has turned into a little "mini break" for me -- what's not to love?