I’ve heard that when you meet the right person, you know.
I’d like to think that love could be that simple. That there could just be a feeling deep inside, a yearning mixed with a sense of completeness, that announces you’ve found an anchor and to to hold on for dear life in case the world starts spinning.
The thing is, I don’t know if I can entirely believe in that. I think, for some people, love might come easily, but for others it’s something you need to teach yourself to accept. Perhaps even to want. But what do I know?
I’ve never really been in love.
I don’t feel broken because of that. I think I’m supposed to feel less-than, for being single, but I don’t. I’m happy to keep pottering along, staying open to the idea of suddenly being suffused with butterflies (if I’m ever wearing colours bright enough to attract them).
I do, however, know that I love these Sesame Cacao Nib Meringue Bites.
I loved them from the moment inspiration struck for a sweet-airy-crispy-dissolving treat studded with rich intense cacao nibs and nutty fragrant sesame seeds.
I loved them even more when they surpassed my every taste-expectation. I’m not ashamed to admit I ate all 33 in the space of three days. (That’s only eleven each day…)
I also loved that many of my meringue bites looked like cute little animals. See the first photo in this post? Rhinoceros. See the photo just above this paragraph? I’m not sure what that creature is, but I do know that he’s looking at me and smiling.
Question Time: What has made you smile today?
Sesame and Cacao Nib Meringue Bites of Joy
Adapted from my Mini Chai Meringues
Makes about 30 little bites
- 2 egg whites, room temperature
- pinch salt
- 1/2 cup (110g) caster (superfine) sugar
- 2 tbs cacao nibs
- 2 tbs sesame seeds
- Preheat oven to 120°C (250°F), and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Place egg whites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer, and beat on high speed until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring the sugar is dissolved before adding the next spoonful. Keep beating until all sugar is incorporated and mixture is glossy. Add the cacao nibs and sesame seeds and beat briefly until just mixed through.
- Using two teaspoons, quenelle or scoop the meringue onto the lined baking trays. I made about 30 small meringue bites out of the mixture.
- Bake for one hour, then turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for another two hours. Store in an airtight container.
Submitted to Allergy-Friendly Lunchbox Love.
{ 87 comments… read them below or add one }
I see it!! I see it!! and awww….so cute (until you bite their heads off!!!)
Ahh darling – you know my feelings on the subject – while it IS wonderful to have that one person to share life with – I don’t think it’s the be all and end all of life.
Love comes in many shapes and forms. Like chocolate.
And like how I LOVE your enthusiasm for life, living it on your terms and basically being your shiny, sparkling, whizzing self.
When you do meet your ‘right one’ – that person will only add to the light you have now
Thank you Sig. It’s been truly wonderful to have your support (in so many ways) in this and related matters. You know how much I value your opinions, values, and thoughts xo
And oh! Thank you, my dear! That’s such a lovely thing to say. I shall remember this next time I’m feeling less-than-enthusiastic about the day ahead xo
You know, that rhinoceros looks to me like she might just be sticking her tongue out…….that made me smile today…..33 meringues in 3 days…I did a whole pav in 1!
Oooh, I see that too now! *giggles* Clearly you and I are kindred spirits
I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t believe in love at first sight. For me, it was always a-million-mental-questions at first sight, that take several months to puzzle out, and THEN might reveal love hiding underneath. I spent the first 6+ months of Matt’s and my relationship saying “This will never work”! And look at us now.
Just as well you had someone to email way back then…
I do believe there can be an instant connection, but that love is something that takes time and commitment and a desire to work through the hard times. I could not, could not be prouder of you and Matt, or more happy for you. And Imma gonna show you that in person soon enough 
P.S. I think maybe there can be a problem for many of us in struggling to work out whether something is worth working through the mental questions and uncertainties for, or whether instinct is right. And sometimes you never truly know. Maybe? I don’t know.
I think you are right. It’s always a gamble.
I may be getting ahead of myself – as we’ve never even met – but I’m pretty confident I love these.
I also love you.
And I also don’t believe in love in first sight (but I do believe in NOT love at first sight). I believe that love can grow from not-much to very-much. And I also love that.
But mostly I just love these meringues. Loooveee.
Your comment totally confused me at first, because I was going “huh? You and I have met! We met before blogging. What?!” But then I realised you were talking about shaking hands with and thereafter eating the meringues.
I love YOU!
Bahaha! Yes, revulsion at first sight is a less-mentioned yet more-experienced aspect of human relationships, I think. And I, too, believe that love is something that grows, sometimes from just a little kernel of hope. A kernel that grows into a tree… of peanut butter. Yes.
I am impressed both by your meringue making and eating skills!!!
By dessert-eating skills do seem to amaze many people in my life.
Oh, I think I could easily eat eleven a day, too, with flavours like that. And they do look like cute little critters!
For me, just enjoying life – be it by yourself, with friends, family, or a partner – that’s all you want really. If you are enjoying life then there is love in your life, even if it doesn’t involve butterflies and a charismatic stranger.
Oh! Oh Leaf, thank you! I agree with your comment completely; thank you so much for making me feel stronger and better in solo self xo I have so many incredible relationships and moments in my life, and yes, that is love indeed
You made me smile but admitting how many meringues you ate and then trying to qualify it. You don’t need to qualify or explain yourself to us Hannah!
We have all been there.
*laughs* Thank you, Em!
Note to self: Embrace gluttony more openly.
OH.MY.GOODNESS!! I nearly skipped reading the post to simply comment “It’s a rhinoceros!” I did however read the post as I scrolled to the bottom and what do I see half way through but you saying pretty much exactly that – that made me smile today
. So has the fact that IT’S FRIDAY!!!!! Dinner cooking away in the slow cooker at home is another, particularly given it looks like it’s gonna be another late night in the office 
I do not believe in love at first sight (I do believe that’s called lust), I don’t believe you can love anyone you don’t actually know and how can you know them if you’ve only looked? I also don’t believe in the idea of someone ‘completing’ you – like you’re not a whole person if you’re single – that’s rubbish! (Before anyone starts to think I’m single and jaded I’ve actually been very happily married for 13yrs – good grief that makes me sound old).
(I’m starting to think that the coffee flavoured milk I had at lunch time actually had coffee in it … bouncy, bouncy, bounce)
*fist pump* I’m so glad you see it too!! I was scared people would think my animal-perceiving mind was crazy
Boo to late nights at the office! I’ve got several of those coming up next week, and in fact next week is a six-day week for me as I have to work Saturday. Ugh. Mustn’t think of it, must hold onto the happy.
I agree entirely with everything you’ve said here
The idea of needing someone else to complete you is terrible on so many levels (to my mind), both for how it indicates that single people are ‘less’ and for what it does to people in relationships, as it sets a precedent for believing that you need that one person to be able to fulfill all your needs. Which can lead to serious isolation, which in turn is problematic if the relationship ends. But I should probably start rambling myself now. (The coffee I just drank most certainly had coffee in it 
)
Brilliant idea adding sesame seeds into the meringue!!! I know that I would absolutely love them too!
If I ever find black sesame seeds, I’m trying those here too!
Black sesame and matcha powder?
That would be awesome!
We’ve gotta get red beans in there somehow too!
It looks like a cheery humpback whale! And what has made me smile today? First, this post. Second, my friend’s new baby (so soft and lovely). Third, it’s actually a nice summer day at last. I think that’ll do!
That’s what I was going to say! A whale!
Three things to smile about in one day! That’s something to smile about in and of itself
Might I take your whale suggestion and amend it slightly to say dugong? Although I s’pose they have stranger noses. Snouts? WHAT ON EARTH IS THE RIGHT TERM?!
P.S. You know what else is worth smiling about? That I’m sitting here responding to you from the sofa beside yours, with the sound of you typing away in my ears
Shut the front door. This sounds amazing. sesame seeds and cacao nibs for the ultimate crunch. mmm and its not bad for ya! Totally bookmarking this – I think I’ll make it with hemp seeds!
Oooh!! I have hemp seeds that I haven’t known what to do with! Fabulous idea. Report back?
Indeed! I graduate in two weeks so I’m about to have a lot of spare time on my hands. I also scored a big bag on hemp seeds for two dollars. yowza!
Congratulations lady! But, um, please celebrate with something more extravagant than hemp seeds…
They look fabulous
Ahh Hannah! When you come to Italy I shall take you to my bar and we will have a long long talk!
Oh Catherine, if you mean a long long talk about the first half of this post, then oh! How I long and look forward to that! xo
I totally saw the rhino and also a few fish too! Where are those googly eyes when you need them?
Honestly, Lorraine? They’re all in my desk drawer.
(I’m really not kidding. Jenni and I periodically become google-eye ninjas, ever since I put some on her computer months ago.
)
I thought you were already in love, mutually, with chocolate.
Great idea to include nibs – I’ve only tried cocoa powder and its awesome
You’re absolutely right. That’s the real reason I’m single; men can’t cope with coming second in my heart after chocolate.
YUM! my oven is not very friendly when it comes to meringue, i use to be the queen of meringue until we moved to this house, i might be due for another show down with the oven…..
when i met my now husband it was not love at first sight, we just realised after a while that we were always going to the same things (that is bands at the bar) and actually did get along and things just developed from there!
I love that story! Hmm, now I need to think about whether there are any menfolk I keep running into at the same places…
I’m actually quite impressed these lasted 3 days. I always found meringue to be like sugary air – delicious, but super light – and suspect that with cocoa nibs in the equation 11 per day could be not quite enough.
Also? Pottering along is a pretty good way of being xo
Eleven weren’t enough, truly. But I kept hearing my mother’s voice in my ear, telling me to eat some vegetables and protein
Pottering and occasionally flying to The Overseas…
I guess that’s what mother’s are for
And flying to The Overseas is definitely a good way of being – as is dreaming of flying to The Overseas, when it’s a possibility in the not-too-distant future xo
Amen, sister. For both of us
Boyfriend and I first spent time together preparing large batches of surveys for mailing. And then we looked at dioramas in a diorama museum, marveling at the giant ‘forest spiders’ that had denned down and then died in a clump of ‘trees’. It was all a bit like Harry Potter. I think it’s all about Harry Potter – perhaps when you have a severe Potteresque moment you’ll know you have found someone interesting?
I don’t think love is very easy, it’s pretty hard at times you know? But I do believe in some of the ‘first sight’ business, especially if it’s ‘first meet’ rather than sight. Cause isn’t there supposed to be something about how people smell (imperceptibly, not odorific) that attracts you to them?
I just saw that Kari above me talked about Pottering in response to your mention of it. This may not be the Potteresque moment I was discussing:P
Check your email, lady!
I do think that love is about working towards something, and that it can be very difficult at times as well as clear and brilliant. I look forward to meeting someone who makes the hard parts feel worth it
And who smells good.
I wouldn’t mind the pottering to be Pottering
Such cute little meringue-y animals!
And I love (yes, it just hit me! I LOVE) this combination of ingredients! I was definitely one of those “slow burn” types when it came to falling in love. . . but once it stuck, it stuck. 
I hope to one day find myself just as wonderfully stuck
Thank you Ricki!
mmm i haven’t tried a meringue before but they look light and airy with a crispy bite to them! mmmm i’ve never been in love either, it takes me a long time to fall in love. i think i tend to be more guarded – don’t want my fragile heart to be broken so easily. we are in the same boat!
But isn’t just such a fun boat to be in?
Mmmm…meringues. I have never made them before but I think it’s time I started.
I don’t believe in soul mates. “What! Jeff isn’t your soul mate?!” Nope. I think he’s one of hundreds, if not thousands, of people I could be extremely compatible with, but I found him first so he wins. I don’t think that’s unromantic either. On the contrary, I think it sounds hopelessly sad if there is only one other person in the whole world that could make me happy and we may never even find each other.
I think you’re lovely Hannah, and someone else is bound to pick up on that loveliness eventually, but it’s awesome that you don’t feel incomplete without someone else’s adoration.
I agree so much that there needs to be a way to agree more than 100%. I mean, if we’re being realistic about soulmates, then ours are most likely 20 year old Chinese men (probably living in rural villages), so what hope have we got?! Well, have I got, for as you say you and Jeff have both already won.
But seriously. Love your comment.
Oh! And now I just read the last part. SQUISH! Thank you *hides face behind hands*
Ohh yum! These sound delicious! What are cacao nibs are they like chocolate chips? I feel so silly asking you this question hehe
Can’t wait to try some of these!
Cacao nibs are the raw or roasted cracked beans that are made into chocolate, so closer to cocoa powder in taste than chocolate chips. By which I mean they’re deliciously chocolatey but not sweet, so they provide a wonderful balance to the sweetness of meringue
Let me know what you think if you do try them!
Too cute! Ok, the creatures definitely brought a smile to my face
. These are like animal crackers but 100x better, lol.
Teehee, hurrah!! Except now I need to go investigate what animal crackers are
oooo love the combo of cacao and sesame… nice work, nice work! Egg whites are totally amazing, no? Frustrating when you are a vegan though, there’s nothing that can really substitute them… I actually LOVE whipping egg whites to make meringue, love how they go beautifully shiny and peaky. I get my egg white whipping fix baking at work these days… actually I make a flourless chocolate cake that you would LOVE… egg whites, dark chocolate, almond meal, all gooey and fudgy
Have you tried the vegan meringue mix available here in Aus? I bought some for Amber once, then forgot to send it to her, then it expired, so I don’t yet know how it fares myself
Teehee, I love how often I need to tell/remind people that I don’t like chocolate desserts. What can I say? I’m an enigma. I’m sure it’s a great cake though
Who needs a man when we have delicious meingue bites of wonderment?
I’ve been in love a couple of times – it’s the best feeling
Love the cute rhino!
Hahaha! Certainly wouldn’t agree with the statement that when you meet the right person you know. When I first met M I thought, oh no, not another lost puppy. Then I thought he was creepy and annoying. Now I love him. I don’t know when or how that happened!
*laughs* Love this story! Gosh, though, how are we single folk supposed to know what to do when someone says even the creepy ones can turn into loved ones?
(Though I’m sure M wasn’t *actually* creepy.
)
Did you REALLY eat all 33 of them? *falls off the chair*
I hear about the love at first sight theory too, but alas after a number of relationships, I’m so cautious now that I suspect I’ve had many missed opportunities. I do wish you’ll find the day where you’ll feel “suffused with butterfies”. Send me some!
Bryan, I’m faintly offended that you’re calling my dessert honour into question. Do you really doubt my ability to eat all 33?! If so, then… well… hmph.
We’ll find our butterflies, Bryan. And in the mean time, we’ll have a darn good time doing whatever we want, whenever we want, with whomever we want, eating whatever we want, all on our own whims. Are you with me?
You’ll make the experience of love, I’m sure! I think that true love (not having a crash!) is something not all people experience because it’s genuinely unselfish.
Ohhhhhhh, the fluffs! Very cute! I’m feeling as light as them today, because I woke up and the thesis was gone. Such lightness!
I have so much love in my life from family and friends, that I know I’ll do just fine enjoying myself and seeing what might come in the future
Yay!! You must be feeling so wonderful! I remember actually feeling strangely empty and confused after handing in my Honours thesis; I didn’t know what to do with myself
Haha, I must I already have several new research projects I’m working on or contributing to.
Also, 6 final exams are still waiting for me! 
Ew, exams! I’m so glad they weren’t a part of my thesis year! I honestly don’t agree with exams on principle; there is never a time in your life when you’re sat down and told to regurgitate facts for three hours straight
11 of these a day sounds like a healthy intake – but only when combined with chocolate and smoothies
I think the ones on the second last photo look like friendly fishies – was your blog down earlier as I couldn’t get it to load but seeing it is back up (or back on my computer at least) makes me smile
And this is why I like you so much
Fishes and whales seem to be the consensus for that photo! And yes, the blog was down for a bit, BlueHost were doing a server upgrade. Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment, Johanna! That makes ME smile
xo
I don’t know why it never occurred to me to add sesame seeds to meringue before. That sounds wonderful! Add a little matcha to the cookie itself, and you’d have an awesome Asian flavor going on. Now I’ve gotta try this!
Absolutely!! My next dream is finding black sesame seeds to hit that Asian flavour ideal, but matcha would work perfectly too (or as well?). I’ve heard whispers that you’ve masterminded vegan meringue! You brilliant genius, you.
I saw the animals right away too and they do look like smiley happy creatures. These days I’m an extremely happy single. I love being free to do whatever I wish, free from restraint. In my old work, I met many amazing young people who were not in relationships. The really amazing ones were too busy doing other things with their lives and were not the type to just hook up with anyone for the sake of it. Life has many components and they don’t always fit neatly into one time and space. I expect you will experience all of life’s amazing opportunities Hannah, just not all in that one time and space. But when love comes to you, it will be real, not made up for the sake of ticking a box. I have also met many people who had arranged marriages who ate very happily married, often more so than our sort of marriages, which I find fascinating. BTW, I buy black sesame seeds and black sesame powder regularly. In The ‘berra – at any Asian grocery store. Definitely going to try these and try not to eat them all myself! xx
Thank you, my dear friend! I feel a bit teary reading this response. Thank you. This is me, entirely. Freedom, and the contentment to wait and enjoy my life, creating adventures for myself, rather than getting into a relationship just for the sake of it. I have too many dreams in my heart right now
I’ve definitely heard that about arranged marriages, and many of the rationalisations make sense to me (going into it in the spirit of practicality and negotiations, rather than relying on the initial sense of giddy love to carry you through forever). I must admit, though, I would like that initial exhilaration!
Do let me know how these go, if you try them with black sesame? I’m swooning even over the idea of the smoky flavours…
Where are you?? I miss you.. yesterday sitting down watching TV.. I said to the Boy suddenly, “Pass the MUSTARD! THE MUSTARD!!! The mustard the mustard!”
And said, “Where is that from?” He looked at me blankly.
I said, “Damn, Hannah would know. Why aren’t you Hannah????!!!!!!”
THIS IS MY MOST FAVOURITEREST COMMENT OF RIGHT NOW.
I love you. And I miss you too. Come visiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Or buy me a ticket there.
I don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do believe in intrigue at first sight:
Who’s he? He’s cute…. what book is reading?
….. On my first date with LC though, I knew. I don’t know how or why but I felt confident, truly me and ‘home’ somehow.
You will find that. You have far too much joy, intelligence, humour and creativity to be kept just to yourself!
Oh yes, big ticks if a guy is a reader!
Kath, that sounds utterly perfect. I think I know a little of what you mean, in the sense that that’s how I feel in my truest friendships.
Oh! Kath! Thank you! *hugs*
Gosh, make me ponder why don’t you. I think the smiling meringue looks like a happy baby dugong. Which is just DELIGHTFUL.
I don’t think love at first sight, or ‘knowing’ is true for all people – took me 10 months to even consider liking Tim (not for want of his trying) so there you go!
While I hope someone comes along who can match your superness, at least you can be safe in the knowledge that you, just you, are so brilliant as you are, that you can even make meringues smile
*high five* In a comment above, I too said dugong to that particular meringue! You and me, babe. 4evs.
Aw, and now look at you and Tim now! Except all of these stories about people not even considering who they’re now with is stressing me out somewhat…
Aw! LADY! You are just the most kinderest of all time. Thank you xoxo
Ha ha, I thought “rhinoceros” as soon as I saw that one too – that definitely made me smile today… as did riding my friend’s horse; the first time she’s been sat on and she was perfect
I agree about being single; I think a lot of people (especially men) think a single woman is never happy – but I’d rather be on my own than not have that in-love-ness… I’m not sure whether or not I believe in love at first sight but that’s not to say I wouldn’t take it if it came along!
I want a pony.
Teehee, I agree completely, Eleanor! With everything
xo
Awww, the rhino is adorable! These are such an adorable and manageable size! I always make my meringues far too big and end up having a crunchy mess…but y’know. Who’s complaining.
I also do agree with you in regards to love etc. etc. I think there can be a spark on first meeting, as there are some people you just connect with and have chemistry with, but it’s definitely not love straight off the bat and applies to both potential romantic interests and friends.
From my own experience with Brad, I think I would sort of question his habits and what I liked about him at the beginning, but now that he is familiar and comfortable, I fall more and more in love with him.
Actually he came along in my life right after I decided I would stop rushing into relationships and enjoy being single, free and wild, that I would do lots of flirting, pashing and dashing. But then Brad ruined everything. EVERYTHING! :B
Part of the fun of big meringues is finding sugar shards down your top hours later
Teehee! People keep saying that love tends to find you when you’ve stopped searching… darn Brad for ruining your future life of easy-breezy flirtation! Though, come to think of it, falling steadily more in love does sound rather wonderful
I am not a believer of love at first sight. Lust maybe, but love, nope that takes a whole lot longer to develop.
S and I noticed each other immediately the first time we were in the same room. It took over 2 years and numerous meetings for us to even go on a date, and I would say it was quite a bit later before love arrived.
I also don’t believe love arrives like a surprise package at the door, it grows slowly and surprisingly (well if those meringues arrived as a surprise package at the door I might re-evaluate that).
Thank you for sharing this, Lisa
I’m glad you and S found your way to each other after those several years!
It wasn’t until I was reading bedtime stories to my niece a few weeks ago that I realised *how many* stories end with ‘and then they lived happily ever after’. And we wonder why women are socially conditioned to seek a ‘soul mate’ before they can consider their lives as fulfilled and complete? Ack. *shakes fist*
There is so much joy in this world and so many things to discover and experience, whether it’s with a friend or in reflective solitude. Besides being single means you don’t have to share your chocolate with anyone! W00t!
*shakes fist and high fives you, all at once* (perhaps with different hands?)
Helen, I can’t even begin to say how often I’ve thought of our conversation whilst walking home from the train that night in Sydney last year, and of how it felt like breathing to have someone to share such thoughts with. (Though who knows, you might not even recall that conversation, but it was along these lines
) As you say, there is so much joy in the world, and I don’t intend to let anything society says make me stop seeking it out and embracing it all. And now, chocolate and maple peanut butter time – I hope you’re enjoying such treats night now too. xoxo
Awww I’m so touched you remember our conversation
And I love that you describe it like breathing although to be honest, I tend to end up ragey and exasperated whenever I get onto the topic. lol. And do you have a webcam installed? I just scoffed a handful of ginger toffee popcorn 
I remember all. Including the wondrous sound of fifty hundred thousand alarms all slowly building to a crescendo… and me needing to knock on your door anyway *giggles*
If I had a webcam, then you would have seen me crying. Gourmet popcorn, oh be still my heart!
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