Chocolate Salami

After his 7 month stint in Europe, the boy has developed a taste, if not a love for all things sweet and European. First it was tiramisu, and now, chocolate salami or Salame di Cioccolato. Nobody is complaining of course and we can't wait to find out what new treats he'll whip up for us soon! 


The funny thing about Salame di Cioccolato is that it is actually very easy to make. It is just like tiramisu, so cheap to make, so easy, so good but so expensive to buy! My first encounter with chocolate salami was in a tiny shop located in the basement of Takashimaya. A chinese man was doling out tiny squares of chocolate salami pierced through tooth picks and assuring everyone that this was the most exquisite biscuit they could ever find in the universe. "Yes, you pay for quality. All the way from Italy. This is very special as a gift! Good for christmas you know. everyone like! Very expensive!" he reassured the thoughtful crowd who were fingering their salami-less sticks in one hand and reaching for seconds with the other. 


And now, years later, the brother was making chocolate salami with the most basic ingredients in our humble, sweltering 35 degree kitchen for the very first time! And boy did it taste good! :)


I suppose when someone like him takes the reins in the kitchen, even the high and mighty tiramisu is demystified. To use Walter Benjamin's words, the "aura" is lost. Perhaps he is the new Andy Warhol of food, who will put Michelin stars out of job. He should and could possibly, like Chef Yan from eons ago, direct and shoot his own cooking show -- if Gab can cook, so can you!