Chocolate Mousse: Inspired by Nancy Drew's Midnight in Salem Mystery Game

Do you like mysteries and detective stories? Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem is just the right game for you! Games like these is like a breath of fresh air for those who wanted to focus more on solving mysteries and using their mind (and imagination) to solve a case - just like a detective :) 

Game Story

Nancy Drew unexpectedly finds herself in Salem, Massachusetts investigating an arson on the Hathorne estate. The Hathorne House was originally constructed by Judge John Hathorne, inquisitor of the infamous Salem witch trials and the final home to 102-year-old Frances Tuttle, his last direct descendant. When Tuttle passed away, the estate became city property and while the mayor was seeking a manager to oversee the estate the home burst into flames. The ongoing investigation has turned up little evidence but concerned citizens have accused Mei Parry of arson and are pressuring the police to arrest the secretive teenager. As Nancy races to uncover the truth behind the arson, she discovers connections to the house’s past with the Salem trials and finds herself drawn into a struggle with supernatural events that she simply can’t explain. Nancy’s convictions are put to the test. Are the ghosts real? Has Salem’s dark history come to life, or is there someone else to blame? Time is short, and Nancy must find the answers before the clock strikes midnight.

Where to buy Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem? You may get them at at Her Interactive's official website at https://www.herinteractive.com/shop-games/33-nancy-drew-midnight-in-salem/

Insights

Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem stands out from the rest of the games because it tackles a dark history of Salem that includes witchcraft and the supernatural. It's definitely a story I want to face head on as a detective, at least in character in the game :)  

Empty street scene from Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem

   

From the title itself, I guess you'd be expecting a lot of night scenes throughout the game. It kind of gives you that Halloween feels that brings chills (and excitement) down your spine. I have to admit I haven't finished the game yet because my brain doesn't cooperate with me. The puzzles and riddles are quite a challenge for me. So if you think you can solve these kinds of brain teasers, then this is definitely for you. 

My Love for Food

As always, food scenes from games or even in movies or TV series really catches my eye. I also love food scenes from anime shows because they really look realistic and it really waters my mouth. As for Midnight in Salem, here are some delicious-looking food shots taken from the game: 

At the Cafe (Look at those gorgeous desserts!)

Baking Ingredients

 I actually tried baking one of my favorite desserts inspired by Midnight in Salem. 

My baking ingredients 

The word, "midnight," gave me the idea of chocolate because they're both dark in color. I chose bittersweet chocolate because night times are always bittersweet - sometimes it gives you scary memories and sometimes, it gives you beautiful and fun ones like Trick or Treat :) 

Chocolate mixing

As I was mixing the melted chocolate while making the chocolate mousse, I remembered how witches are portrayed in cartoons on how they make their potions - they stand in front of a giant iron pot where they combine all those weird ingredients and then mix it slowly while they do their sinister laugh. 

Homemade chocolate mousse (before solving a case)

Homemade chocolate mousse (after solving a case!)

Just like the feeling after solving a very difficult case and also saving another person's life in the process, it's as delicious as eating a bittersweet chocolate mousse! 

Chocolate mousse ingredients: 

• 500 grams bittersweet chocolate couverture 
• 300 grams heavy whipping cream
• 5 grams instant coffee powder dissolved in
• 10 grams hot water
• 800 grams heavy whipping cream, chilled

For the topping, I just used whipped cream in can (just spray as much as you want), choco cereal (best alternative is choco shavings or choco sprinkles), and an Oreo cookie. 

Instructions: 

1. Chop the bittersweet chocolate couverture and place in a large bowl. Make sure they're small enough so they can melt easily when heated. 

2. Combine heavy whipping cream and coffee solution in a heavy saucepan and bring to boiling point over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Pour hot cream mixture over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Allow to stand for a minute or two, then stir mixture until smooth and glossy. Cool to room temperature.

4. Place chilled heavy whipping cream in a mixer bowl. Whip cream to medium peak stage. 

5. Gently place scoops of whipped cream into chocolate mixture

6. You can place the mousse into goblets or glasses (entirely up to you). Chill for at least 4 hours to set the mousse.

CONTEST/GIVEAWAY TIME

Do you like to cook and experiment with ingredients? HeR Interactive is running a “Nancy Drew® Games Summer Cookoff” cooking contest with fun prizes! Check out the HeR Interactive contest page for more details: 

https://www.herinteractive.com/nancy-drew-games-cooking/ 

You can also get the Nancy Drew : Midnight in Salem in their website:

https://www.herinteractive.com/shop-games/33-nancy-drew-midnight-in-salem/

Also, get a chance to win a game code by just commenting on this post about my dish. You may post your comments below this post. Comments/suggestions are welcome! 

#NancyDrewGamesCooking 

Zark’s: Upgrading Your Burger Experience

“We did a study and found out that during that time, walang casual dining burger joint. So, I filled the gap sa market, yung need sa market na I think may potential mag scale up. Hindi naman ako nagkamali. Sinimulan ko yung Zark’s.”, Zark recalls.

Young entrepreneur, Rolandrei Viktor “Zark” Varona, found the middle ground in offering hamburgers that truly satisfy even the most gargantuan appetites, yet at prices that do not break the bank. 

Rolandrei Viktor “Zark” Varona with his popular Zark's Burger dishes

It began eight years ago on a casual stroll along the Malate area, Zark discovered a vacant 20- sqm. commercial space along Taft Avenue. At that time, the former OFW, who had just concluded a two-year stint in the kitchens of a cruise ship already owning a franchise for a noodle shop that unfortunately did not work. After six months, he revisited the spot and knew that the location held much potential. The concentration of a young market gave him the idea to put up a burger joint. Everything was history!

 Fresh. Huge. Great. 

Consistent with Zark’s Burgers’ tagline “Fresh. Huge. Great.” The burgers come out fresh in huge servings, offering a great and filling dining experience with a sporty theme in mind. 

Zark’s taking burgers to the next level with its all-new burger offerings starting at Php109! 

The New Orleans favorite, Ragin Cajun, is your pick for something spicy! 

Ranch Time, for burgers topped with Zark’s version of Cajun dressing. 

Floyd Chicken Sandwich is boneless deep-fried chicken oozing with garlic cream cheese in six different herbs and spices. 

Sloppy J wins with its homemade chunky meat sauce. 

What made Zark’s famous? 

The Deep-Fried Bacon Wrapped, quarter pound deep-fried cheeseburger with their signature Barbeque Rhum sauce. 

Luther Burger, double cheeseburger with two bacon strips sandwiched in honey-glazed donuts. Thunder Mac & Cheese, burger topped with mac & cheese and bacon strips. 

Jawbreaker, triple cheeseburgers with two slices of spam and bacon strips smothered in cheese sauce. 

Tombstone, eight all-beef patties, four slices of stacked American cheddar, topped with overflowing cheese sauce. 

More of Zark’s Burgers

The burger market seems to have embraced Zark’s wholeheartedly! There are currently 32 branches nationwide -- with four currently in Visayas. With eight more opening including Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Expansion in the North furthers as a new store in Clark opens, going forward by city. This is the pace that Zark prefers for the growth of all his company-owned branches. 

“I think it’s really the value for money. The principle is to be fair, not only with my suppliers, not only with my team members, but also with the customers. I don’t want to rip them off, ganun yung values ko. I give them the values sa ibabayad nila. And I think they appreciate (naman) what we serve to them.” 

“I think it’s the right time for us to announce to everyone that we are here; we’re taking the Zark’s brand to the next level and we’re the number one casual dining burger joint.” 

“We have developed a system, built our own commissary, strong and competent management team. Along with that, yes. We are opening our doors for franchising.” For franchising inquiries, please feel free to contact franchise@zarksburgers.ph

For more information about Zark’s Burgers, follow them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/ZarksBurgersPH/

Afternoon Snack in Burgoo

We were all strolling in SM Southmall last weekend and my sister craved for some burgers. When I saw  the "Burgoo" sign, I told her, "Look, Burgoo! I have never dined there before," so she graciously welcomed the idea of us having burgers there and some snacks. I was quite excited.

Burgoo in SM Southmall

Snack Time in Size Matters (Closed)

 

Thanks to Beeconomic.com.ph,  I got another cool deal that saved me P250 pesos for a P500-peso worth of food and drinks in Size Matters! There's a Size Matters branch just walking distance from our residence so I bought the deal immediately.

Fat Melts Diner

I invited my family to try the newest restaurant in Pergola Mall, BF Homes called Fat Melts Diner. The restaurant actually looked like one of my restos in the Restaurant City or in Diner Dash game so I actually thought it was cute. It's small, cozy, and the place really looked inviting so we decided to try it out during their soft opening.