Happy Valentine's Day!

Just want to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all my family & friends. If you were here, I'd give you a piece of my Chocolate Cracked Earth Cake. It's an adaptation from Tyler Florence's recipe. Since you are not here with me to enjoy this cake, here is the recipe:

6oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 stick butter
2 T coffee
1 t. vanilla
9 eggs separated -- yeah, that's right, 9!
3/4 C sugar

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar in a mixing bowl until light yellow in color. Whisk a little of the chocolate mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper the eggs; then whisk in the rest of the chocolate mixture.
Beat the egg whites in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form and fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until the cake is set, the top starts to crack and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it, about 30minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, then remove sides of pan.

So that's the recipe. Tyler uses all bittersweet chocolate and doesn't add vanilla or coffee. I thought I'd use some bittersweet and some semi-sweet, as I thought the bittersweet would just be too, well, bitter. Also, if you noticed, this is a flourless cake which is an added bonus. Enjoy!

Juice Queen

I love my Juice King juicer. I got it off eBay a few years back and it's the best out there. No it's not electric and no it doesn't use centrifugal force that shreds the fruit into unnoticeable bits. It's a simple press that takes a little elbow grease to get the freshest juice possible. And it's red. I love that because I'm trying to add some color to my all-white kitchen. My favorite oranges to use are the Temple variety. This time of year they're on sale- and I buy a few bags at a time. I find that a full glass of juice usually takes about 5 oranges.

I've also used the King to make Oprah's lemon drop martinis that she served at her Legend's Ball. She said the key to the great taste was the fresh squeezed lemon juice. They definitely pack a strong punch, but were very lemony!

Chocolate Deliciousness

Jim called me last night on his way home from work and said "Don't brush your teeth, I have a surprise for you." He knows I have this thing about not eating any food after I brush my teeth-- you know, doesn't food just taste strange after you brush? Maybe it's only me, but I just can't do it...Well, he walks in all proud with the best looking chocolate- a peanut butter cup that was at least the size of my palm & a big juicy strawberry covered in milk chocolate. I have to say that the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory really knows their stuff. That peanut butter cup was one of the best I've ever had..probably ties it up with the ones from Long Grove.
Thanks so much honey for being the best husband in the world-- not because of the chocolate (although that helps), but just because you're you.

Happy BIRTHday

Welcome to the world Will David and Happy Birthday Jessica Jean! Yesterday was a great day in the world. My beautiful sister Christina gave birth to her second son, Will. He is a healthy boy who slept 6 hours his first night. Reese did a great job and even felt well enough to watch the Superbowl. No epidural or anything- triple wow. That's all I can say having gone through childbirth myself.
My other beautiful sister Jessica's birthday is tomorrow. She spent the weekend with us which was a real treat. I made her some chocolate cupcakes with vanilla butter cream frosting-super sugar high- but delightful nonetheless. Happy Bday Will & Jess. Love you lots.

Ode to the Clementine

One great thing about this time of year is the sweet, juicy, delightful clementine. I find myself eating about 5 a day...and I'm pretty sure Abi is following after her mommy. We've gone through 4 boxes in about 10 days. And speaking of the boxes, they are so colorful and vintage I have a hard time throwing them away. On a day when the high is 7 degrees, clementines make me feel just a little closer to the sun of summer.