“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chocolate. Show all posts

Monday, February 11, 2013

Chocolat the Movie - A Valentine Treat

Still in the Valentine, chocolate treat mode here. Wanted to share this little sweet confection with you today. The movie 'Chocolat' has to be one of my favorites, especially this time of year. I actually tried renting it several years ago, when I couldn't locate it, I ordered it online.

It was the basis of my 'Chocolat' theme party and Girls Night In! We enjoyed plentiful chocolate and this decadent movie! I love everything about this movie, the setting, the actors, the theme and the music! Take a look at the trailer below.













One of my favorite parts of the movie is the sermon by the priest....




My Goodness…

“I’m not sure what the theme of my homily today ought to be. Do I want to speak of the miracle of our Lord’s divine transformation? Not really, no.

I don’t want to talk about His divinity. I’d rather talk about His humanity.

I mean, you know, how he lived his life here on Earth, His kindness, His tolerance.

Listen, here’s what I think. I think we can’t go around measuring our
goodness by what we don’t do. 
By what we deny ourselves what we resist
and who we exclude.

I think we’ve got to measure goodness by what we embrace
what we create and who we include.”


From the 2000 movie “Chocolat”, spoken by Pere Henri, the French Priest.


 Chocolate Martini Recipe
1 1/2 shots Chocolate Liqueur
1 1/2 shots creme de cacao
1/2 shot vodka
2 1/2 shots half-and-half

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and pour
into a chilled cocktail glass.

Enjoy with a little Johnny Depp on the side...

Has anyone else seen this movie and what was your favorite part?



Thursday, February 7, 2013

We Love Double Chocolate . . .

Double Chocolate Butter Cake




We love chocolate! We love to get it, we love to give it! And remember, Valentine’s Day is one week from today.  During these somewhat gloomy winter days, what could be better than an easy and  delicious chocolate dessert to share with your loved ones?  Before we get to the recipe, I wanted to cover a bit of background on the history of chocolate.

Scientists have discovered that chocolate was invented at least 3,100 years ago in Central America and not as the sweet treat people now crave, but as a celebratory beer-like beverage and status symbol.  Unfortunately, chocolate languished as this sorry, bitter concoction from about 600 AD until 16th Century Europe when the Spanish began to add cane sugar and flavorings such as vanilla to their sweet cocoa beverages. From this point the French, Swiss, Irish, English and Americans all had a hand in creating the chocolates we know today. All I can say is, Thank You!


We’ve all heard that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. It contains an endorphin called phenylalanine, levels of which in the brain have been linked to falling in love. Chocolate has been used as a gift since the days of the Aztecs and Mayans and was used in marriage and fertility ceremonies.  Yes we Love Chocolate! It tastes good and it makes us feel good!

Now it is possible to find several brands of Organic and Free Trade Chocolate available. I always try and use as many organic ingredients in my recipes as possible. I find that the resulting product is tastier and healthier too.  If you would like to see some of my favorite organic products, visit my board on Pinterest.  So without further ado, here is the recipe.



    Double Chocolate Butter Cake

    2 cups sugar
    5 tablespoon cocoa powder
    1   egg, plus 2 eggs
    1   (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened (neufchatel works well also)
    1   (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
    16 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, softened
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 cups chocolate chips
    1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

    Lightly spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 8 tablespoons (1 stick) softened butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside. In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of softened butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan.

    Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Do not over-bake the cake; the center should still be slightly soft when finished baking. Let cake partially cool before cutting into pieces.   Top with whipped cream or ice cream.  Sprinkle with cinnamon for a little spice.

In the top photo, I wanted a smaller version to serve on a dessert buffet, so I simply scooped out about a heaping tablespoon of the cake and rolled it into a ball. I placed them in muffin papers and set them aside until serving time.  When ready to serve, I popped them into the microwave for about 
15 seconds and then topped them with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon before
 placing on my serving table. 

The photo below is how we usually serve it...a big square, with lots of whipped cream! 

This is an especially good reward after shoveling snow!




Linked with The Charm of Home


Monday, January 7, 2013

Ice Castles . . .

We are still having fun with the snow here in Minnesota. I am not sick of it yet, but just wait until the end of February! Here are a couple more fun things people do here for entertainment. The first is the castle at the Mall.


"This winter, Mall of America® will bring a one-of-a-kind experience to visitors from around the world. Ice Castles, will build its largest structure ever, a castle that will stand more than 40 feet tall at its peak and span two acres." source




Ice Princesses just hanging out in front of the castle.

source
LED lights inside the structure, help with the glow.






The picture below is one I found this week on Pinterest, I couldn't resist after my post on the Polar Plunge last week. This Finnish swimmer looks quite glamorous, notice her hair is not wet. I wonder how far down the ladder she actually went?

                     A Winter Swim in Finland.


The second fun thing to do is go to an ice bar. To top it off, how about a night cap at the BLU Ice Bar Lounge.

 Yes thanks, I would like a triple-hot chocolate 
with cinnamon schnapps please!

Source                  
BLU Ice Bar and Lounge - Grand Superior Lodge - Minnesota




source
 No, I have not been there, yet!
Now that you are freezing, how about that hot chocolate!?

  
                                                                       source



Blazing Hot Chocolate

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to a medium boil while you stir it. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and the half-and-half, heat until very hot, but do not boil!

Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Divide between four mugs.
Add some schnapps at your own risk!

Garnish as you wish. Drink, enjoy, aahhh!



Friday, January 13, 2012

Cinnamon and Chocolate



Even though the holidays are over, we still have Cinnamon and Chocolate. 
Here is a fun song and some yummy food pins from Pinterest. Yes, they are all about 
Cinnamon and Chocolate. Maybe sometime I will actually make these recipes; especially 
The Lake Effect and the Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cinnamon. Enjoy!


source







Butterfly Boucher sings Cinnamon and Chocolate

I love this cute song. The picture is nothing special here, I think it is
supposed to be footprints in snow. Hint: I am focusing on the
Cinnamon and Chocolate part. You probably already got that part!



Cinnamon and Chocolate

Hush, little baby bird,
nest in my arms,
I'll keep you warm.
In the night the stars will watch
and guide your spirit.

Oh, your dreams will help you fly
Clementine's won't pass you by
The thoughts of years have come
and gone and we are alright,
We are alright.



We still have cinnamon and chocolate,
Holly and thyme
Hearts will warm when fire's burning
Patience there's time




Hush, little baby bird
There is hope to spread across
All the seasons, all the moonlight,
Keeps the secrets
In the still before the dawn
There's the whisper, there's a song
When the morning comes
And night has gone, there's joy
There is joy

We still have cinnamon and chocolate
Holly and pine
Hearts will warm when fire's burning
Cinnamon and chocolate
Holly and pine
Hearts will warm when fire's burning


Patience, there's time
There is time
Patience
There is time
Patience
When you wait
Patience
There is time
There is joy
Waiting
There is joy
Waiting
In your heart
Waiting
Please find joy


Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge!
Cinnamon and Chocolate Fudge (recipe)




Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt - I Like Big Bundts 2011

Cinnamon and Chocolate Bundt Cake (recipe)







Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon (recipe)










Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cinnamon (recipe)






The Lake Effect
1 1/2 oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
1 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
1 oz. vanilla ice cream (about 1 scoop)
2 cups ice

Blend all ingredients in electric blender and serve in a frosted glass. Sprinkle with Cinnamon.







Joining with...

 Thursday Theme Song

Pinning and Singing with Natasha at 5 Minutes Just For Me

Tasty Tuesday at Nap Time Creations

Click on the links under the pictures to find the recipes... if you dare!