naoko123@flickrThis week’s adventure in chocolate began ohhhh so innocently. On Christmas Eve I posted a research report that moderate consumption of Chocolate, Wine and Tea improve brains performance.

Bravo! Science is on my side.

Fruits and beverages such as tea, red wine, cocoa, and coffee are major dietary sources of polyphenols, micronutrients found in plant-derived foods. The largest subclass of dietary polyphenols is flavonoids, and it has been reported in the past that those who consume lots of flavonoids have a lower incidence of dementia.

These findings support my fundamental argument that responsible pleasure is good for you.

Equally committed to new dendrite growth in my brain (hmmm, I see an Anne of Carversville New Year’s Resolution emerging here), I decided there would be no pumpkin pie for dessert on Christmas Day. And I bagged the roast chicken recipe I’ve made for the past 30 years.

Update Traditions for Smarter Brains

The tradition is Christmas Day, not the menu. Channelling Nigella Lawson, I decided that Christmas Day dinner would be a pleasure feast. First up, chocolate souffle.

It’s been years since I made a souffle, an almost failproof, sumptuous, dessert concoction that makes you look like Martha Stewart in the kitchen, even if you’re just the apprentice.

I gave myself (and my guests) permission to delight in every spoonful of chocolate souffle, but in fact, the calorie count isn’t deadly. There are far worse things to eat, as long as you don’t create this sinfully decadent pleasure offering. I used whipped cream.

Permission Denied

My souffle came out perfectly. It was divine and the critical me couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it. Alright, I missed one little bit of eggwhite that was white inside. That went on my plate and was quickly covered with moist, just a bit gooey chocolate nirvana.

It’s two days later, and my chocolate souffle is long gone. I am still enjoying it in memory. Now I just read in the Wall Street Journal about a chocolate restaurant in Brooklyn. I’m on the case. Getting to Court Street in Brooklyn Heights wouldn’t be that challenging on the subway.

I will pay homage to the chocolate restaurant in our Pleasures Channel, later on. Ahhh, looking for a chocolate blog for you, I just found an article Forget the Viagra! Scientists are developing new ‘sex chip’ that stimulates pleasure center in brain.

I know EXACTLY what to write now! This subject has come to roost in Anne territory.

Until I whip out my literary chocolate revenge in the next day or two, you can watch Chef Todd Mohr making chocolate souffle. It’s so simple! And we share a similar view of fruitcake!