text: When Dr. Dobbs says something good about it, then it's definitely worth looking into right?. In this case, some ex-Sun guys have created a Java-based lightweight tool capable of producing native interfaces across mobile platforms for a Write Once, Run Everywhere Mobile story and with a NetBeans plugin announced yesterday that looks great for our academic customers and to integrate with our stack. Cool. Time for a call with Shai next week.


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2008 started off on a mixed note, with revelations of sleaze in the Justice Secretary's appointments to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, which of course, Mr MacAskill carefully brushed aside with no explanation but you can read about the SLCC's progress to date here
As January progressed, Scotland received a rare treat at the end of January with was probably the best announcement in years from the Law Society that it's notorious Chief Executive, Douglas Mill, would resign from his post, a rare event, which occurred not long after the posting of the video coverage of Mill's confrontation with Cabinet Secretary John Swinney over memos which detailed a policy of intervention to protect crooked lawyers. You can view the career ending video of Douglas Mill HERE
Sadly however, the year did not turn out as the promised 'sea change' in dealing with complaints against the legal profession or cleaning up some of the Law Society of Scotland's horrors the past.
In fact, as 2008 draws to a close, it looks increasingly like consumers & clients of Scottish solicitors have been sold a 'pig in a poke' with the 'independent' Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, which has so far chosen to focus on giving its members pensions benefits, private insurance deals, and a pledge to keep members faces anonymous for fear of the general public realising just how sits on the fat salaried quango's Commission, where members get over £300 just for showing up for a day's 'work' looking at complaints against crooked lawyers ...
Jane Irvine's SLCC also made the questionable declaration it would not investigate any complaint arising from legal work instructed before 1st October 2008, which conveniently for this new Complaints Commission, ensured literally thousands of complaints would be excluded from its books, while also allowing the Law Society of Scotland, to go on 'investigating' complaints against crooked lawyers (and stitching up investigations) for at least another five or more years !
Never fear of course, the shiny new Scottish Government, which sadly now is starting to sound much like any other administration, would protect consumers & those suffering injustice ? Wrong.
If anything, ordinary consumers are now less protected in Scotland than the rest of the UK, thanks to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill's pledge to protect lawyers at seemingly any cost whatsoever from any idea of external independent regulation which might just prevent the levels of corruption in the legal profession & poor service which has recently brought down the global financial markets.
Looking at some of the cases I looked into over the past year, I find the likes of the following :
A solicitor at one of Edinburgh's so-called 'finest' legal firms, according to clients who enquired as to the slow progress of their cases, found their famous solicitor to be nothing more than a cocaine addict, and probably a drug dealer as one of his firm's ex-employees now allege.
This solicitor currently represents some 11 clients on major medical negligence cases, backed up by his legal firm which touts itself as an expert in the field of medical negligence but the partner is now so hooked on narcotics, he feels the need to 'inhale' in the presence of staff & clients.
Anyone feel like using his services for legal representation ? .. or his firm who seem to know all about 'the problem'.
If that's not bad enough, just think what might happen to his client's cases if the 'other side' know of their solicitor's cocaine habit .... but maybe that might already been in play as it seems the average wait time of his 11 clients seems to be about 5 years before anything gets near a court .. with cases strangely collapsing or descending into stalemates lasting months or even years, despite all his claims to clients of 'win win win', which has of course generated huge legal fees for himself and his firm for years ...
Another solicitor from a legal firm in Glasgow apparently threatened a client saying over the telephone he "would have his brains blown out" if the client dared complain about a loan transaction which went wrong (in the lawyers favour of course).
Another solicitor who I was notified about, this time from the Scottish Borders, seems to spend a lot of his time fiddling opposing clients legal aid applications, and hatching out plots to take over deceased's clients properties in wills & estates his legal firm acts as executor to.
This particular solicitor, who is well known at the Scottish Legal Aid Board for submitting false allegations against opposing counsel's clients financial status, seems to have his name, the name of his firm, and a "holding company" he created, on several properties he 'acquired' from deceased clients his firm represented, in the Scottish Borders.
Several complaints exist against this particular solicitor, from families who have seen their bequeathments unexplainably disappear into his pockets .. and yes, the Law Society know all about it, but are as usual covering the whole thing up, at least, for now ...
Interestingly, there are two other firms of Borders solicitors who also seem to have done the exact same thing as their above colleague, with properties they 'acquired' from deceased clients in circumstances which are less than transparent … and while complaints have also been made to the Law Society, those who were to receive the properties as a legacy are facing the usual brick wall of silence as the legal profession closes ranks to protect the crooked …
Other 'leading lights' of Scotland's legal profession who have been brought to my attention this year include a solicitor who was found to have destroyed his client's file while a complaint had been made to the Law Society after evidence surfaced he had embezzled over £67,000 of clients funds (a remarkably common event, happens almost every day by the sounds of it) ... a female solicitor, yet another who works with one of Edinburgh's 'famous named' legal firms who is working as a prostitute in her spare time and who apparently claims a member of the j*******y as one of her clients, and then there's the fairly well known Scottish solicitor who runs a 'simulated rape & bondage club', which counts among its members many from the legal profession, teachers, and other professionals it would probably make you sick to read about.
How would you feel sitting in the same room as some of that lot ? Even worse probably, knowing that some of them are in fairly senior positions in our Justice system and other walks of life which one would think may be closed off to the likes of such ...
I couldn't possibly fail to mention the case of a solicitor who sent round several of his 'thuggish' clients to threaten another client who had decided to complain about him to the Law Society (also a remarkably common event) ... the Police apparently now involved in that one, and also a flood of emails & complaints regarding the raft of solicitors who are now sending out demands to clients for fictitious work allegedly done years ago, at their instruction, but which of course, there is no proof of, no success story to show for, and not even a court record of in many cases.
Anyone feel like approaching any of these 'highly qualified professionals' for legal services ? They are all still practicing despite complaints records as long as your arm … so the Law Society must know what its doing, allowing such people to practice law …
Do I have your attention ? Is your confidence rising or falling in the Scottish legal profession's ability to keep control of itself and 'standards' ?
Now do remember - this is the same profession which Kenny MacAskill is actively promoting to attract legal business to Scotland .... but that promotional exercise doesn't seem to have worked, so maybe, just maybe those prospective foreign clients have their heads screwed on the right way and know when to avoid a crooked lawyer, by not using a Scottish lawyer ... or a Scottish jurisdiction, where the client may end up at the dead end of the stick …
So as you see, this past year, 2008, has produced no promised sea change in complaints against lawyers, and no promised sea change in standards of legal service in Scotland, or access to justice, or help from the Scottish Government against professionally protected crooks who are fleecing the public and getting away with it.
All the while, the Law Society of Scotland can keep secret the identities of lawyers who have criminal records, lawyers who steal & embezzle from their clients, lawyers who are drugs users & dealers, lawyers who destroy or falsify files & information, lawyers who engage in just about any imaginable or unimaginable activity simply for financial gain ... and the public who approach them for legal services have no idea who or what these people are.
Scots are still forced into accepting what has become a draw of the 'crooked lawyer lottery' where prospective clients get to know less about their solicitor than what goes into a can of baked beans, ensuring Scottish consumers are left little protection, while the Scottish Government, which is currently engaged in piling on the multi million pound gifts to the legal profession's new complaints 'front' organisation, the SLCC, says it will defend lawyers to the very end .. at least, so says Kenny MacAskill ...
Kenny MacAskill in a staggering quote from 2008 admits his mission is to protect lawyers, not the public !
What does 2009 hold for consumers of legal services in Scotland ?
Well, unless the Scottish Government get off their backsides and pull up the 'independent' Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, wipe it clean of Law Society influence, and maybe even .. start afresh .. the answer is not much really ... unless as some of you seem to be indicating, "clients stop getting sucked into the lawyer controlled complaints process" and start seeking alternatives to recover their lost funds, livelihoods, even lives, which have been decimated by very greedy and dishonest solicitors ....
Of course, the Scottish Government could surprise us all, bring in something like "Truth & Reconciliation" to the issue of historic complaints against the legal profession, and produce the clean slate which the LPLA (Scotland) Act 2007 was meant to give us in the first place ... but is that a step too far for politicians who are too deeply in bed with the legal profession ?
I hasten to add that not all lawyers are crooked, but why don't the honest ones take the initiative and clean up their profession ?
The Law Society isn't the powerful behemoth it once was … so why no action from within ? Is it just not profitable enough to clean up one's own profession ? Is there nothing to be gained from giving the public a more trustworthy, competitive legal services market we can depend on ?
Perhaps consumers should ask themselves the following :
Do you want to use a Scottish lawyer ? Do you really NEED to use a Scottish lawyer ? Financially, how hurt are you going to end up when inevitably, your lawyer turns against you simply to fleece you for money on a case they will say you will win, but you know will probably take years and result in nothing other than demands for large sums of money you could better do to keep for yourself & your family's needs, especially in what promises to be a recession the UK has not seen for many decades.
If you want to change the way you are treated in 2009, its time to choose a different path away from the likes of crooked professionals who so easily will take your money, your livelihoods, your home, even, your lives away simply to make more money for themselves ...
And finally, as if to remind us all that lawyers are not all they crack themselves up to be .. here is a short tale from the pages of the Scotsman in a stark reminder to us all … trying to recover damages from lawyers in Scotland, no matter who you are, is more difficult than pulling hen's teeth …
The Scotsman reports :
Marquess sues estate lawyers for £700,000
Published Date: 24 December 2008
By JOHN ROBERTSON
Law Correspondent
AN ARISTOCRAT is suing lawyers for £700,000 after he was landed with a huge tax bill to prevent the break-up of one of his estates.
Alexander Gordon, the 7th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, claims negligence by Edinburgh-based Turcan Connell led to him having to form a "rescue plan" to stop some of his wealth passing to relatives he did not want to benefit.
The Court of Session yesterday heard the "Aberdeen Gordons", who have held land in Aberdeenshire for more than 500 years, owned the Haddo and Tarves estates.
In 1984, the current marquess, also known as Lord Aberdeen, consulted with his then solicitors, not Turcan Connell, about the best way of passing the Tarves estate to his children without incurring tax.
A trust was set up but Lord Aberdeen had only one child at the time, Lord Haddo, and it was decided the best course was to include other child relatives, those of his sister, Lady Emma, and of his adopted cousin, Andrew Gordon.
By the 1990s, Lord Aberdeen had four children. He made it clear to his lawyer, the court heard, that Haddo was to go to his eldest son, and Tarves was to pass to one or more of his other three children.
"He had made it plain that it should only be if none of his immediate family survived him that any of his sister's children should receive the Tarves estate, and on no account should any of his adopted cousin's children receive it," the court heard.
Turcan Connell became his solicitors in 1997 and reviewed the trust, and Lord Aberdeen confirmed that his wishes remained the same.
There came a deadline under the rules of the trust when beneficiaries had to be nominated but, according to Lord Aberdeen, it was realised the date had passed and an urgent meeting was called in 2006.
"Robert Turcan explained he had made a mistake and apologised for it ... each of the (nine) children had or shortly would have an interest in an equal share in the assets of the Tarves Estate Trust," the pleadings in the damages action said.
"This would result in the break-up of a substantial part of the ancestral landholding associated with the Gordon family for hundreds of years."
A "salvage operation" was formed under which the Tarves estate was advanced to Lord Haddo. But the move also triggered liability for capital gains tax. The full extent had yet to be assessed, the court was told, but Lord Aberdeen said an interim payment of £500,000 had been made.
Lord Haddo took a bank loan to fund the payment, and Lord Aberdeen guaranteed the loan. As well as interest, there would be substantial professional fees to pay.
In her judgment, Lady Smith said: "(The marquess) offers to prove that no ordinarily competent solicitor would have failed to advise him timeously of the need for the trustees to exercise their discretion in favour of one or more of his children if the break-up of the Tarves estate was to be avoided.
"(Turcan Connell] deny that, in the circumstances of the case, they had a duty to tender the advice that he avers they were under a duty to give."
Lady Smith said the test for dismissing the case at this stage was whether the marquess's claim would necessarily fail. He insisted the mistake by Turcan Connell amounted to negligence.
"I recognise his case is not without difficulties (but) I cannot be satisfied that the action will necessarily fail," she said.
No date was fixed for another hearing.
THE Most Hon Alexander George Gordon, 53, was educated at Harrow and pursued a career as a property developer in London before becoming the 7th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair six years ago.
He married Joanna Clodagh Houldsworth in 1981 and the couple have four children, George, Earl of Haddo, 25, Lord Sam, 23, Lady Anna, 20 and Lord Charles, 18.
He made headlines in 2004 with plans for tank-driving courses at the family's Haddo Estate at Methlick.
However, the current marquess would have to come up with something much more outlandish to rival the "colourful" tag given to his father, Alastair Ninian John Gordon, who died, aged 82, in 2002.
An artist and art critic, he listed his recreations as "wine, women and song", and not long before his death, he wrote a magazine article, The Good Whore Guide, in which he charted his adventures as a "sex-starved subaltern" during and after the Second World War.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bryant Gumbel Calls Out David Stern And Calls Him "Plantation Overseer"!
"Bryant Gumbel evokes slavery in an editorial about NBA commissioner David Stern on HBO's Real Sports."
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The Soul of the Research University
The Soul of the Research University
they aren't the same idea. Mass higher education, conceptually, is practical, low cost, skills oriented, and mainly concerned with teaching. It caught on because state legislatures and businesses saw it as a means of economic development and a supplier of personnel, and because families saw it as a way of ensuring a place in the middle class for their children. Research universities, on the other hand, grant extraordinary freedom and empowerment to a small, elaborately trained and selected group of people whose mission is to pursue knowledge and understanding without the constraints of immediate practical applicability under which most of the rest of the world has to operate. Some of their work is subsidized directly by the federal government and by private donors, but they also live under the economic protection that very large and successful institutions can provide to some of their component parts.
Tens of millions of Americans have a direct connection to higher education, and probably only a tiny minority of them are even familiar with the term "research university." So universities themselves have contributed to the lack of public understanding of the centrality of research.
"You see then, here are two methods of Education; the end of the one is to be philosophical, of the other to be mechanical; the one rises toward general ideas, the other is exhausted upon what is particular and external," he wrote. "Knowledge, in proportion as it tends to be more and more particular, ceases to be Knowledge."
"The pursuit of science and scholarship belongs to the university. What else belongs? Assuredly neither secondary, technical, vocational, nor popular education. Of course, these are important; of course, society must create appropriate agencies to deal with them; but they must not be permitted to distract the university."


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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2—the sequel to the award-winning next-generation first-person shooter—returns to Sin City. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is your last chance to rescue America's sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will force you into heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all.
Recipient of numerous awards, including 2006 Best First Person Shooter and Best Online Game, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.


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This week's tornado in Oklahoma hit close to home for Carrie Underwood.
The Sooner State native has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
"I have watched the devastation in my home state of Oklahoma over the past several days with great sadness," Underwood said in a statement. "With the help of my fans who attended my concerts over the past year, we can offer the Red Cross a little extra help in comforting those affected by the recent tornados."
U.S. & World
NEWS: Toby Keith visits home state of Oklahoma
Neal Litvack, chief development officer for the Red Cross, said, "The impact of the tornados in Oklahoma and the Midwest was devastating and the road to recovery will be long for many families. Through the generosity of Carrie, the American Red Cross can quickly respond with shelter, food and comfort now, and with lasting help as they move toward recovery."
Particularly large checks have also come from Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who pledged $1 million, and funnyman David Spade, who donated $200,000 to the cause.


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Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly show no indication that they're prepared to hold a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat now held by Roland Burris, even though they've gotten a legal green light from state Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly show no indication that they're prepared to hold a special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat now held by Roland Burris, even though they've gotten a legal green light from state Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Burris' troubles continued to mount Thursday, when a Chicago newspaper reported that Burris' son, Roland II, got a $75,000-a-year job with the Illinois Housing Development Authority while Rod Blagojevich was still governor.
The younger Burris got the job after the Internal Revenue Service placed a lien on his house and a bank foreclosed on his mortgage and at a point when Blagojevich was instituting cuts throughout state government.
In Springfield on Thursday, Gov. Pat Quinn said he has asked his chief of staff and general counsel to look into the circumstances of the hiring.
"I want to make sure everything is right and proper," Quinn said. "Upon proper review, I think we'll have a recommendation for the executive director and the board of the Illinois Housing Development Authority."
Quinn did not elaborate about that recommendation.
The revelations about his son's job did not help Burris, who has been under fire to quit the Senate because of his relationship with the disgraced and impeached Blagojevich. Burris has ignored those calls, which have come from Democrats and Republicans alike.
On Thursday, Quinn tried again.
"I think he needs to think about this and realize that he can no longer be the best representative and voice of the people of Illinois," Quinn said. "Given the circumstances, the best course of action to follow would be to step aside."
If the seat became vacant, Quinn said, it should be filled by a special election. The seat can be filled through special election or by gubernatorial appointment.
In an opinion released late Wednesday, Madigan said the state does not have to wait until Burris resigns to hold an election. Her reading of the law and U.S. Constitution is that Burris is only a temporary appointee until the next election is held. That can be the next regularly scheduled state election in 2010 or a special election scheduled earlier than that, Madigan said.
Republicans who have been pushing for a special election pounced. They called on majority Democrats – led by Lisa Madigan's father, House Speaker Michael Madigan – to allow legislation to be considered that would create a primary election April 7 and a general election May 26. Local elections are scheduled around the state April 7.
"We have seen enough flip-flopping on this issue," said House Republican Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego. "This is above either party or politics. This is about what is best for the state."
Democrats, though, said a special election could cost up to $50 million, and neither the state nor local governments have the money.
Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said he's inclined to see what, if anything, the House passes first on the special election issue.
"They're the ones with concerns in their caucus about a special election," Cullerton said.
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, said the cost estimates may be blown out of proportion and such an election might cost as little as $15 million. She said the General Assembly is spending that much to help local communities pay for their road salt last winter.
"In the grand scheme of things, having an intact democracy is at least as important as road salt,' Radogno said.


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On Thursday, September 15, two related things happened. 1) The MacArthur Foundation announced the 4th Digital Media and Learning (DML) Competition. 2) Mozilla Foundation's Open Badges project entered early beta. Some other related things occurred around that time, too. Sebastian Deterding posted a somewhat damning critique of Gabe Zichermann and Christopher Cunningham's O'Reilly Media book Gamification by Design. This last thing, while seemingly unrelated, complicates the perception of Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Thing 1 on its own is thrilling and exciting because it sounds the call for organizations, academic institutions, businesses, groups, students, even individuals to begin thinking about alternate ways to represent both personal and community achievement. This new approach toward achievement won't focus solely on degrees or certificates but will seek to include soft skills like co-learning, collaboration, camaraderie, and community-mindedness. The DML competition hearkens a new way of thinking about performance that doesn't rely on formal education or traditional methodologies.
Thing 2 signals a beginning, a break with the past, a series of possibilities and vast potential. Additionally, it may signal a sort of beginning of the end of formal education's monopoly on acceptable representations of academic and business success: one that has dominated our culture for at least the last thirty years. With the introduction of the Open Badge Infrastructure, Mozilla is engaging the net in rethinking achievement recognition in an open source, open access, open education manner.
This all sounds good, so what's the problem? The complication surrounds the term badge. Prior to social software like FourSquare, a badge was most likely something you remembered from your years in the Scouts system. No longer. Cue the ominous music as we conjure the dark arts of gamification. Ian Bogost calls gamification exploitationware. Elsewhere, he wasn't even as charitable as that. Suffice it to say that it's a touchy subject.
Deterding's concerns about gamification—in a review that was roundly touted in game design circles as impressively well considered—are valid; however, gamification is not entirely worthless. Even Deterding himself notes this in his follow up to Tim O'Reilly. Perhaps what's most important to realize here, though, is that Mozilla's Open Badge effort is not a gamification of anything. Instead, the Open Badge system is an opportunity to reimagine personal communication of social representation. Think of it as an entirely new, authenticatable, verifiable, dependable means to an end: a brand new vision for the old resume/curriculum vitae. Consider the possibilities. Badge systems that, with some nurturing, will develop into a robust ecosystem capable of altering not only the current western educational paradigm, but possibly some sociocultural and economic ones, as well. (The rise of the Badge Class?)
This endeavor will empower individuals in ways that may seem impossible now. When learning can happen in a self-paced, self-motivated way outside of traditional formal systems, and when that learning can be formally recognized in a useful way, then change has great potential. By engineering a system that more accurately represents personal achievement, Mozilla is working toward addressing at least two long-standing problems: the inability of both formal education and business to capture vital, useful and relevant communication and interaction skills, and the failure of the educational system to keep apace with technological advancement. This project has the potential to radically shift worldviews while improving individual lives. If that's what others are mistakenly decrying as gamification, then I say bring it on.
I've touched on the potential for change inherent in Mozilla's effort. Over the next few months, I hope to expand upon our direction, our challenges, and our successes. And I hope that you'll make the trip with me. I welcome your thoughts and comments. Let's move past our fear of a badge planet and look out onto the vast universe of possibility together.


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Amazon India pedals for greener world, delivers packages under 5km radius by bicycle. 14th January, 2016
Suzlon enters solar power business. 14th January, 2016
Sainik School leads the way in solar power generation. 18th January, 2016
Building the International Solar Alliance. 19th January, 2016
Solar power: truth versus hype. 20th January, 2016
Rajasthan solar bids touch a new low of Rs 4.34 per unit. 20th January, 2016
To develop solar-powered ACs jointly with IIT-M. 26th January, 2016
10k TN Houses to have Solar Panels. 26th January, 2016
Adani Power, Azure Power win solar projects bids in Uttar Pradesh. 27th January, 2016
Chandy's Sunburn. 1st February, 2016
Incentives for Solar Projects in Budget. 3rd February, 2016
Powering a 'solar city'. 3rd February, 2016
Govt to auction mega hydropower projects. 8th February, 2016
Green equity fund eyes global players. 11th February, 2016
Ratifying nuclear-convention: Road from 'intent' to 'commitment'. 15th February, 2016
Subsidy payouts might offset crude oil cushion. 15th February, 2016
Focus on scalability. 17th February, 2016
Solar power: FY16 sunniest year yet for sector. 17th February, 2016
Make in India and renewable energy. 19th February, 2016
The way ahead: biogas plants in every ward? 19th February, 2016
CM to decide on ArcelorMittals plea for solar power plant. 23rd February, 2016
Not Many Takers for Rooftop Solar Power Generation. 2nd March, 2016
Budget's impact on renewable energy. 2nd March, 2016
Alappuzha backwaters to get India's first solar ferry. 3rd March, 2016
Energy on tap with solar panel that fits in a bag. 7th March, 2016
Renewable energy target is quite ambitious. 7th March, 2016
Haryana to promote solar power plants on canals. 9th March, 2016
For cleaner air, Delhi govt proposes green fund to promote solar plants. 9th March, 2016
Methane Lights up City Parks. 10th March, 2016
Solar power sector to shine brightly in 2016: Mercom. 11th March, 2016
Banks, NBFCs to fund clean energy projects. 11th March, 2016
Solar, Wind focus has hit low-cost coal-based power production: Partha Bhattacharyya. 6th September, 2016
Get your e-junk removed at a single swipe
India will have 7 mega cities by 2030; Delhi to remain 2nd most populous city. 7th September, 2016
Confusion over customs duty blindsides solar energy firms. 7th September, 2016
Narendra Modi government looks at ashrams to harness solar power. 12th September, 2016
India will have 7 mega cities by 2030; Delhi to remain 2nd most populous city. 7th September, 2016
SPIcon Panel: Community Solar Offers Alternative That Utilities Like. 15th September, 2016
Scotland Welcomes World's First Grid-Connected, Commercial Tidal Power Array. 15th September, 2016
IDFC Alternatives to create a platform for renewable energy assets. 19th September, 2016
Developers struggle to sell solar power to cash-strapped discoms. 19th September, 2016
Solar module makers sound alarm over rising imports from China. 20th September, 2016
National wastewater reuse policy sought. 21st September, 2016
Delhi gets Asia's largest sewage treatment plant. 21st September, 2016
Drones Can Help SunPower Reduce Solar Costs by 30 Percent, CEO Says. 21st September, 2016
Solar cos, landowners going for leasing model. 22nd September, 2016
State to harness solar power from Pavagada park by April. 22nd September, 2016
India to Ratify Paris Climate Deal on Gandhi's Birthday. 26th September, 2016
House in jayanagar built without bescom power, 27th September 2016
Cash-strapped discoms backtrack on renewable power contracts, 27th September 2016
After WTO shock, Centre set to subsidise home, foreign solar power projects
MP to build worlds largest solar power plant, 29th September 2016
A poor show, not a power show, 30th September 2016
Pench Village's Solar Way for Tiger Conservation. 1st October, 2016
Study Shows Bengaluru's Solid Waste Has Energy Potential; Helps Generate Biogas. 3rd October, 2016
Tough penalty for flouting green power obligations. 3rd October, 2016
Power demand falls, but installed solar capacity up. 5th October 2016
Roadmap for implementing plastic, e-waste management rules proposed. 4th October, 2016
This group uses soot from gensets to leave its mark. 6th October, 2016
Installed solar capacity crosses 8,500 MW. 6th October, 2016
Panel on plastic waste management sleeping: HC. 7th October, 2016
NGT tells neighbouring states to switch over to CNG or face action. 8th October, 2016
An internal Carbon Price to invest in energy efficient, renewable technologies. 8th October, 2016
International Solar Alliance to be ratified at COP22 in Marrakech in November. 13th October, 2016
Solar power to make Noida Metro India's greenest. 12th October, 2016
Haryana issues diktat on solid waste plants. 16th October, 2016
Government takes up Rs 1,000 crore slum lighting project. 17th October, 2016
Solar power: Jharkhand discoms seek additional upfront subsidy. 19th October, 2016
Narendra Modi said to plan Rs21,000 crore boost for India's solar factories. 19th October, 2016
Govt may override environment concerns in northeast hydropower projects. 19th October, 2016
NGOs seek moratorium on dams, hydro power projects. 18th October, 2016
Rooftop solar capacity doubles in a year.20th October, 2016
Department plans solar-powered borewells for wild animals. 21st October, 2016
Waste to energy: Central station to show the way. 24th October, 2016
Failed waterless urinal project revived. 24th October, 2016
Congress launches 'Clean Kirari' drive. 24th October, 2016
Now, NREGA workers to join Clean India mission. 25th October, 2016
Delhi govt to provide 24/7 toilet facility in slums. 25th October, 2016
'Blueprint on tackling garbage, pollution soon'. 25th October, 2016
Renewable power crosses a milestone, it's time to boost thermal energy. 27th October, 2016
Tesla comes out with solar panel tiles. 1st November, 2016
ReNew Power to buy wind power business of KC Thapar Group for Rs 1,000 crore. 16th November, 2017
Gujarat wind auction put off again. 16th November, 2017
Strong climate policies by India, China to offset US inaction: Study. 15th November, 2017
Local solar manufacturers differ on safeguard duty suggestion. 11th January, 2018
The Paris Agreement is an example of what is wrong with the current framework. 10th January, 2018
UP to invite bids for 100 MW solar power projects in March. 10th January, 2018
The cost of renewable energy promotion. 9th January, 2018
Warming puts millions more at risk from river floods: Study. 11th January, 2018
Can we still avoid the climate tipping point? 17th January, 2018
Karnataka: Free solar power for government schools. 17th January, 2018
A new weapon in the carbon fight. 16th January, 2018
ReNew, Greenko, hero eye india assets of exiting skypower. 16th January, 2018
Renewable energy ambition needs more money. 16th January, 2018
UN hails India, china's climate change fight when others are failing. 14th January, 2017
Safeguard duty may not hit ongoing solar projects. 13th January, 2018
China donates over 32,000 solar power generators to Nepal. January 22, 2018
Earth Burning, January 21, 2017
Rooftop solar is still out in the cold. January 21, 2018
Peak winter almost over, no snowfall yet in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. January 18, 2018
Renewable power companies compete with thermal plants in spot market. January 17, 2018
Terror, climate change global threats: PM. 24th January 2018
Trump slaps steep U.S. tariffs on imported washers, solar panels. 23rd January, 2018
Low renewable tariffs good but should be viable: PFC CMD Rajeev Sharma. 30th January, 2018
Climate change can sow agri distress. 30th January, 2018
Budget 2018 expectations: Renewable energy industry wants tax cuts, more funds from Arun Jaitley. 29th January, 2018
Donald Trump willing to sign a revamped Paris climate deal. 28th January, 2018
The US is about to get real cold again; blame it on global warming. 28th January, 2018
Davos Diary: Rock star Trump steals show at World Economic Forum. 26th January, 2017
Government estimates 9-11 per cent IRR for renewable projects. 26th January, 2018
Climate change next centurys biggest biz opportunity: Anand Mahindra. 25th January, 2018
Will Budget 2018 signal India's commitment to fight climate change? 1st February, 2018
Why Budget 2018 should focus on renewable power generation. 1st February, 2018
Wind Turbines: Over 3,000 MW capacity rots for want of servicing. 6th February, 2018
MoU signed for feasibility report on waste to energy plant. 6th February, 2018
Greenko Group, Hero Future Energies eye Essel Infraprojects' solar business. 3rd February, 2018
Centre's plan may boost farmers' solar power use. 3rd February, 2018
Polar bears starving due to climate change: study. 3rd February, 2018
Government extends transmission charge waiver period for renewables. 16th February, 2018
Tamil Nadu among nine global market leaders in renewables. 14th February, 2018
Adapting better to climate change. 13th February, 2018
Biofuels: an opportunity for India. 13th February, 2018
Solar dispute: US hardens stand against India at WTO. 12th February, 2018
Tamil Nadu set to harness more renewable energy. 10th February, 2018
Gujarat to conduct auctions for 500-MW solar projects. 10th February, 2018
Indias renewable energy project tendering to be an all-time high in FY18. 8th February, 2018
Tamil Nadu has potential to double wind, solar energy, says US-based IEEFA. 8th February, 2018
What urban waste has to do with global warming. 7th February, 2018
Govt floats tender for 2,000 MW wind power projects. 7th January, 2018
Solar alliance biggest achievement since Paris accord: Modi. 16th February, 2018
Shell may buy majority stake in solar power firm Fourth Partner Energy. 22nd February, 2018
Net metering gets a tepid response in Delhi, solar power users unaware of the incentive. 19th February, 2018
More solar-powered borewells to augment water supply. 18th February, 2018
Indian institute of science will help reduce carbon footprint. 23rd February, 2018
Climate change pushing weather extremes off the scale, says global cities group. 27th February, 2018
Solar Energy Corporation allocates 50 Mw wind power capacity to Odisha. 27th February, 2018
Impacts of renewable energy projects. 27th February, 2018
India and Brazil's role in the bioeconomy. 26th February, 2018
French Minister inaugurates solar training centre. 12th March, 2018
ReNew Power slapped with Rs 119-million fine for delay in MP solar project. 17th April, 2018
SunSource Energy to install 2.5 MW solar plant at Jamia Millia University. 24th April, 2018
Shadow over renewables. 24th April, 2018
India's safeguard duty on solar cells faces criticism at WTO. 25th April, 2018
ReNew Power set to buy 5 renewable power companies. 10th May, 2018
NTPC solar auction tariffs hover at Rs. 2.8. 10th May, 2018
Pioneering liquid air project can help store excess electricity. 5th June, 2018
Contractors still control garbage management. 11th June, 2018
Aditya Birla seeks investor for its renewable energy business. 11th June, 2018
The seeds of sustainability. 21st June, 2018
Opinion divided on private sanctuaries next to reserves. 26th June, 2018
Biodiversity park at science centre. 26th June, 2018 June 2018
Private power players seek level playing field on coal. 26th June, 2018
Amazon India to install solar power panels in more fulfillment centers. 27th June, 2018
Centre eases oil exploration norms, allows access outside contract areas. 27th June, 2018
Air Pollution sensors to be certified from September. 27th June, 2018
Andhra Pradesh solar park in Kadapa: Lowest bid at Rs 2.7 per unit. 9th July, 2018
SC pulls up 'superman' L-G for garbage pile-up in city. 13th July, 2018
The making of a sustainable future. 13th July, 2018
SDMC nod to solar project, CCTV cameras in schools. 13th July, 2018
Hessarghatta grassland still awaiting its layer of protection
Microgrids: Small steps can make a big impact
Revamp of coal auction rules: Business-friendly reforms on cards
Commerce Min recommends 25 per cent safeguard duty on solar cells. 17th July, 2018
DGTR wants duty levied on imported solar panels. 16th July, 2018
BYPL signs pact to source wind power. 19TH July 2018
Government looks to sell viable infrastructure projects. 19TH July 2018
Cabinet tweaks pre-NELP oil blocks, reduces ONGC burden. 19th July, 2018
Delhi University College goes the green way, gets 77kW solar plant. 26th July, 2018
Do farmers need an alternative to MSPs? 26th July, 2018
Agricultural drought looms despite good rains and floods. 26th July, 2018
Odisha solar auction attracts competitive bids in spite of safeguard duty. 1st August, 2018
IIT-Madras professor CARES to save energy so it is not squandered. 31st July, 2018
Edelweiss infra fund eyes Engie's India solar business. 31st July, 2018
UK churches switch to renewable energy. 4th August, 2018
CM inaugurates rooftop solar plants of 506 kW in Dwarka. 5th August, 2018
4 societies in Dwarka to get solar power. 4th August, 2018
Government junks report on India's poor rank on environment, terms it 'Arbitrary'. 8th August, 2018
Panel proposes Rs 510-cr transmission projects for wind power plants. 8th August, 2018
Stressed power assets will fetch more if fuel and regulatory issues are resolved: Power secretary. 8th August, 2018
NGT directs closure of UP industrial units polluting rivers, 9th August, 2018
Solar energy benefits must reach farmers, says PM Narendra Modi, 9th August, 2018
Solar industry fears dark days ahead: Imposition of duty on import of cells threatens projects, say developers. 13th August, 2018
Hyundai plans to introduce full range of electric vehicles in India. 13th August, 2018
India may not reach 100GW solar power target by 2022: Crisil report. 13th August, 2018
Government asks ONGC to list overseas arm OVL
US sanctions hit India, Iran gas field talks. 23rd August, 2018
Wind tariffs rise in NTPCs 1200 mw auction. 23rd August, 2018
Close watch on climate change. 28th August, 2018
Activists seek environment impact assessment of dams on Satluj. 28th August, 2018
Indias first flight run on biofuel spices up in-red airline sector. 28th August, 2018
Government unlikely to invoke section 7 to direct RBI on power companies. 30th August, 2018
IOC eyes 52000 fuel retail outlets in 3 years. 30th August, 2018
Centre's Ujjwala takes a toll on K'taka's Anila Bhagya scheme. 30th August, 2018
Diesel costs farmers dear. 31st August, 2018
Trapped heat below Arctic surface could melt entire region's ice. 31st August, 2018
Competition, not tax cuts, for fuels. 31st August, 2018
Diesel pain erodes MSP gains for farmers. 6th Sepetember, 2018
Coral reefs could survive global warming, says study. 6th September, 2018
REC to seek central banks nod for Pariwartan ARC. 6th September, 2018
ACME Solar Holding in talks to raise up to Rs 3,000 cr through InvIT. 11th September, 2018
Bank Ki-moon, Bill Gates head climate body. 11th September, 2018
Supreme Court vacates Orissa HC stay on solar safeguard duty. 11th September, 2018
Cut the cutlery: Plastic with your plate adds up to 22,000 tonnes waste every month. 12th September, 2018
UN Climate Summit host Poland looks to help seal Paris Agreement. 12th September, 2018
Tata Power Solar launches rooftop solutions in Mumbai. 12th September, 2018
Air pollution is key risk factor for lung disease. 13th September, 2018
How new jets with less legroom help fight climate change. 12th September, 2018
Engie ties up with STOA to set up 2 GW wind plants in India. 13th September, 2018
Andhra Pradesh government directs discoms to take wind power in full. 13th September, 2018
Scientists to study climate change impact on Kerala. 14th September, 2018
Air pollution: Govt writes to neighbouring States for action. 14th September, 2018
Global green certification for Infosys Mysuru campus. 17th September, 2018
Living in the shadow of a garbage landfill. 17th September, 2018
More river stretches are now critically polluted. 17th September, 2018


text:
The November issue of SCAN, the newsletter of the Simcoe County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, writes about celebrating, in 2012, the 175th anniversary of the founding of the community of Bond Head, Simcoe County.
Bond Head was originally named Wragg Corners, but in 1837 it was renamed to its present name after Sir Frances BOND HEAD.
The article, "Half-Way Stopping Place: A pioneer Ontario Community", gives a very good history lesson about Bond Head, and the article ends with "Bond Head Presbyterian Church – Communion Roll", which gives the names on the communicants, their residence, their profession or occupation, how and when they were admitted, and how and when they removed from the roll.
There are 202 names on these pages of Presbyterians who were living in West Gwillimbury in 1822.
In the previous meeting in September, Melissa Ellis gave a talk about the "Web Sites to further your Family History Project" in which she used Margaret Rudy (ROUTCLIFFE) EDMUND as a case study.
You can go to their website at http://www.simcoebogs.com
If you are interested in joining Ontario Genealogical Society, and the Simcoe County Branch, go to http://www.ogs.on.ca/membership.php.
Tomorrow's Post: New/Improved Canadian Websites and Blogs Week 15


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Common Ground: The Kinship of Metaphysicians
A syncretic approach to esoteric teachings - the golden threads that connect Pagans, Yogis, Rosicrucians and Masons.
This is My Religion; What is Yours?
When I taught Yoga and Meditation at Glendale Community College, I was friendly with the Chair of the Religions Department. We often discussed how the purpose of the Comparative World Religions class was not to convert students who already had a faith (as some paranoid individuals feared), but to facilitate tolerance between the citizens of a shrinking world through a better understanding of each others' beliefs. In that same spirit of education, I propose an open exchange of views - not to argue among ourselves as to who is right, but to share our mutual human inspirations and yearnings.
It has been many years since I felt compelled to convince others of my position; I simply put it out there, now, as a point of information. In my view of the universe, each mind has its own little piece of the Truth. For reasons we can only guess at, some of us were destined to appreciate Creation in terms of many Gods, while others were meant to see it in terms of only One - yet other brothers and sisters of ours were meant to believe in no God at all! Yet we are all children of a common Source, seeing reality as best we can from different points of view. If we combine all of our perceptions, this vast multi-dimensional hologram may begin to come into focus.
I have gone through many stages in my life. I've had my mind opened to possibilities that I was afraid to acknowledge as a child, and which are still denied by many in my culture. Such people hope that refusing to think about something can make it go away, or that demonizing it may relieve them of the responsibility of having to understand it. But I'm pretty sure that we can only evade responsibility for a short time, and that ever-more challenging initiations lie before us.
My Deities are Two: the Great Mother Goddess and the Great Father God. They enjoy manifesting through multiple identities, like actors and actresses playing different characters in a repertory season. This has prompted The Mists of Avalon statement that all Gods are one God and all Goddesses are one Goddess. I trust my Divine Parents and worship them - not out of fear, but out of gratitude for the ways in which they have always loved and cared for me.
I resonate with the Hindu image of Siva Nataraj, the Cosmic Dancer - equal parts Divine Female and Divine Male, beating out the eternal rhythm of cosmic Creation. The Vaishnavite version is when Lakshmi-Vishnu says in the Bhagavad Gita: "There is nothing else besides me, Arjuna. Everything you see here is strung on me, like pearls upon a thread." The universe exploded from a Great Unity in which all opposites were combined. But since we ourselves manifest as Yin and Yang, we naturally tend to see everything else that way, too.
As Science discovers subtly vibrating particles that blur the line between Physics and Metaphysics - particles that may explain how an experiment can be affected by the expectations of the experimenter - we gain a more comprehensive understanding of what Magick really is.
People have different ideas about what happens after death, but an intuitive thread connects the religions of humankind and the messages we receive through meditation, astral projection and psychic dreaming. There is much agreement about the nature of a locale termed the Summerland or the Pure Land or Valhalla; that said, however, there are as many heavenly stage-sets as there are imaginative souls that feel drawn to them. If our physical universe is a giant hologram, the non-physical realm must be limitless!
To be sure, there are also reports of dark places where souls work out redemption for their karmic mistakes until their debts are paid. If you credit such dimensions, they may be directly adjacent to the fields of Light - separated from them by no stronger a psychic membrane than egoistic fear and hubris. I believe that, just as the willful mistakes we committed in our physical adolescence eventually helped us to grow into wise and responsible adults who would never commit such acts again, the same sort of development is accomplished in the realms of spirit. "As Above, So Below. As Within, So Without."
For many, our halting progress towards perfection is pursued through the trial-and-error experience called reincarnation. (The fact that most people can't recall a prior existence is hardly proof that they didn't have one - especially considering that individuals who remember all the events of this life are exceptions!) Other, older souls may have gone around so many times that the worlds they visit now are on spiritual planes only.
In any case, Mother Goddess and Father God know each one of us by name (Soul Name); and they hold our destinies in their wise hands. The Divine has authorized our journey in this world and the next - else we could not be here - and has watched over our every step, even when we felt completely abandoned and alone.
At auspicious moments, I hear confirming messages from the beautiful souls who comprise my spiritual family and metaphysical lineage, whose development has progressed along with mine, lifetime after lifetime. Though death may seem to separate us, it is only by the very thinnest of veils.
Blessed Be. I know that I have been blessed, and that I am blessed now.
Friday, 07 February 2014
Thank you, Ted. I, too, have had a long journey to get where I am. I tell folks "From the Void, the One. From the One, the Two. From the Two, the many." There is no need to change anyone's mind. I have a way. They have a way. I like to chat with them to learn what their way looks like.
Friday, 07 February 2014
This is wonderful, Arwen. My understanding is the same as yours, and you have found an excellent way to express it. I like to chat with them, too. We can learn a lot from those who remain non-judgmental. On the other hand, those who make unflattering assumptions about our commitment or experience because our conclusions are different from theirs, just make me tired. Isn't a shame how some people can't separate personal attack from philosophy?
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text:
This dessert that I made for Easter dinner with my parents is a celebration of rich dark chocolate and gooey caramel, as well as the result of a personal achievement for me.
If you've read my blog for a while, you'll know that making caramel has been a source of great frustration for me, and something that I've been determined to master - I'm just stubborn that way. I've never known anyone to love caramel as much as my man does, and I've tried so many times to make homemade caramel for him.
Following all the tips and tricks that all the experts use, I've made batch after batch of caramel, only to have to scrub a grainy white mess of lumpy, crystallized sugar, that didn't even get close to turning into caramel, out of my stock pot. Once, just once, I made a successful batch of toffee, but I have no idea how that happened since every attempt after that one ended in failure, leaving a very annoyed me scrubbing my stock pot yet again in a hot kitchen. A kitchen devoid of pretty jars of caramel on the counter to reward my efforts.
One day we were watching an episode of Good Eats, and Alton Brown happened to be making caramel. I had to find out if he had an answer to my troubles with caramel making.
And the answer: Corn Syrup. His explanation was that introducing a different form of sugar into the pot, such as a few tablespoons of corn syrup with the granulated sugar, would help to prevent the sugar from crystallizing. I don't quite understand the chemistry of it all - after all, my high school "science project" involved a very lame poster board of perfume samples and the way the scent varied on my best friend and me, whether on our wrists, neck, etc... - I'm surprised our teacher even gave us a passing grade on that project.
But anyway, as far as adding corn syrup, it has something to do with two forms of sugar not being able to bind together, which in theory, should provide more stability during the process of caramel making. I started doing a little more research on the subject and found more and more references here and there to adding corn syrup to sugar when making caramel.
And I have to admit, all this made me wonder why it seemed to be such a well-kept secret? I've perused so many recipes for caramel, all of which make it all sound so easy to make, with no reference to this particular trick. Were they all doing this all along, but not wanting anyone to know, so that they could be the master of caramel? I'm not saying that people aren't making caramel without corn syrup, and being completely successful at it - good for them! I, however, need this technique.
It makes me think of a funny story I read somewhere, of a young bride who asked her grandmother for a recipe - but every time she made the recipe, it was never the same as her grandmother's. When she asked her grandmother what she did wrong, the response was always something like "Hmm, I don't know, that never happens when I make it!". The bride later found out that when her grandmother shared her recipes, she always left out one or two ingredients, or a crucial piece of the instructions, so that no one would ever be able to make her recipes better than she could!
I have no such compunctions, though, and want only to encourage and help all those cooks out there, trying to learn, as I am, how to be a better cook and baker. So here I am, sharing this secret with all of you. Because if you've experienced even half the frustration that I have, then I feel for you.
Even with the corn syrup, there was a moment when I almost thought that I'd ruined the caramel when I poured in the cream. I had started by cooking the sugar, corn syrup and water over very low heat to dissolve the sugar as much as possible before cranking up the heat. Then I let it cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the color deepened to amber - I let it go as long as possible, up to the point where I feared it might start to burn, because I wanted the caramel to be as rich in flavor as possible. This took about 10 minutes.
And then I took the pot off the heat and poured in the cream. The hot liquid bubbled up as it should have, but when I went to stir it up with a wooden spoon, I found that the liquid had seized up, and become one big lump. My heart sank, and I thought I had ruined the caramel. Again. But it looked so close to being caramel, that I held onto hope that it could be rescued, so I decided it just needed a little more heat to loosen it up. So I returned the pot to the stove over low heat and let it cook and melt down a little, while I stirred constantly. The caramel began to smooth out almost immediately, and my heart started to hope! I stirred in the butter, then the vanilla and salt, and realized that I was staring into a pot of perfect, ooey gooey caramel. I was so excited, that I immediately took a picture with my phone and sent it to Jamie - I wanted him to start drooling in anticipation of dessert that night! Just in case there were any remaining lumps that hadn't dissolved, I poured the caramel through a mesh strainer into a glass jar.
I kept the jar on the counter all day, periodically going back, lifting the lid, and sticking a finger in - just to be sure that I hadn't been dreaming earlier, and that it hadn't changed into something other than caramel while I wasn't looking...
Ok, this has already become a pretty wordy post, and I haven't even talked about the cake yet! You could of course just eat caramel with a spoon, as I'm sure most of you out there have done at one point or another, but let's face it, something to drizzle caramel on is never a bad thing, either.
This cake isn't just a vehicle for the caramel, though, and really doesn't even need the caramel, but the two together were pretty amazing. Flourless chocolate cakes are composed primarily of chocolate, butter and eggs. And really, they don't need anything else, although a little sugar, cream and vanilla are welcome additions, too.
Since chocolate is the main ingredient, you should use the best quality chocolate that you can afford. You don't have to spend a fortune, but every grocery store has a nice selection of organic chocolate on the candy aisle that isn't full of mystery ingredients like a bag of chocolate chips tends to contain. I used an organic bittersweet chocolate of about 54% cacao, but you can definitely go darker. Just remember, the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it contains, so if you want your cake to be sweeter, then you'll need to increase the amount of sugar you add.
I knew this cake would be extremely rich, which is why I made it so thin, barely an inch tall. If you'd like a thicker cake, you can easily double the recipe, but I'll warn you, you'll want to cut much smaller pieces, unless you'd like your tombstone to read "Death by Chocolate"! :)
For a finishing touch to the cake, I made a ganache out of the same bittersweet chocolate to spread over the top of the cake. The cake was moist and indulgent, almost like a pudding, and the salted caramel added a delicious contrast of flavors. It was a sweet and satisfying way to end dinner.
And now, to end a too-long post, I'll simply ask this question when faced with any future culinary predicaments and frustrations...
"What would Alton do?"
Flourless Chocolate Cake
printable recipe
- 8 ounces good quality dark, bittersweet chocolate, chopped (54% cacao or higher)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ounces good quality dark, bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line the bottom of an 8-inch spring form pan with parchment and grease the sides of the pan. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with a sheet of heavy foil (so that the water from the water bath doesn't leak into the pan). Place the foil-wrapped spring form pan inside a large roasting pan. Bring a kettle of water to a boil.
Combine the chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl. Set the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water), stirring occasionally until the chocolate and butter are melted and smooth. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs, sugar, cream and vanilla on medium high speed until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Gently whisk the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture in 3 additions, until well blended. Pour the batter into the spring form pan. Set the roasting pan in the oven; pour the boiling water into the roasting pan, taking care not to get it inside the spring form pan; the water should come about halfway up the side of the spring form pan.
Bake for about 22-25 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is a little jiggly. Lift the spring form pan from its water bath and place on a wire rack to cool for about an hour. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight.
To serve, remove the sides of the spring form pan. Carefully, invert the cake onto a sheet of parchment paper; peel the paper off the bottom of the cake, then set the cake on a serving plate or cake pedestal.
To make the ganache, place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Warm the cream over medium-low heat, just until the cream starts to bubble. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, and let it stand for 3 minutes. Whisk the mixture until smooth and shiny, then pour over the cake; you can let it run over the sides if you like, but I spread mine just to the edge of the top. Return the cake to the fridge to set the ganache, about 30 minutes, before serving.
Drizzle each slice with warm salted caramel sauce (recipe below), or with some fresh, lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Note: this recipe can easily be doubled for a thicker cake (may require baking a little longer), but it's so rich that if you do double it, you'll want to cut smaller pieces, as a little piece goes a long way!
Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen.
Salted Caramel Sauce
printable recipe
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Warm the mixture gently over low heat until the sugar is dissolved (I kept mine on low heat for as long as I could before the sugar started to bubble, about 15 minutes). Wash down the sides of the pot with a wet pastry brush to get rid of any sugar crystals, then turn the heat up to medium to medium/high. Cook, without stirring, until the sugar becomes a deep amber color (may take from 5-10 minutes).
Remove from the heat and pour in the cream - the mixture will bubble up quite a bit. Stir briskly to incorporate the cream; if the mixture seizes up at this point (which happened to me!), return it to the stove over low heat, and cook, stirring constantly and vigorously, to dissolve any lumps and/or sugar crystals. Stir in the butter, one piece at a time until incorporated, then stir in the salt and vanilla. If any lumps remain, pour caramel through a fine mesh strainer into a glass jar.
Serve warm over the flourless chocolate cake or over ice cream.
Refrigerate any leftovers, rewarming in the microwave on 50% power.
Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen. Technique inspired by Alton Brown.