The skipped tradition!

mmmm...pie

As you may know, I am a tradition freak during the holidays.  I want every single thing to be exactly as it was when I was a kid.  Over the years I think we have done a pretty good job at keeping with all of our family traditions.  I cannot even remember when this one started, but for many years I made several double fudge pies from one of my mom's cookbooks a few days before Christmas.  Then my niece and nephew began helping me and it sort of became our little tradition.

Making pies with my niece Christmas 2009.

But...we didn't make them this year!!  My sister's house was already filled with so many goodies, that the pies would have been overkill.  I decided I still had to have that pie before the year ended, so I made one on New Year's Eve.

This pie is so rich and delicious.  You just have to make it to see for yourself.  Here I topped it with powdered sugar, but it is great served warm over ice cream, or with whipped cream and berries, or just plain.  So yummy!

Double Fudge Pie
Source:  Virginia Hospitality (cookbook)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp milk

Preheat oven to 325.  Melt butter and chocolate and cool slightly.  Gradually mix into eggs.  Add remaining ingredients and stir until just mixed.  Spread into a buttered 9-inch pie plate and bake for precisely 40 minutes.  Center will be soft and moist when taken from the oven, but firms a little when cooling.


PS...I have not taken down my Christmas tree yet.  :(  I want it up forever!!

Chocolate Principles to Live By...

Two Christmases ago, my cousin gave me this book and I re-read parts of it every so often when I need a little pick-me-up.  After reading The Secret and A New Earth:  Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, this is a lighter take on the principles of a contented life and how those principles can relate to the enjoyment of chocolate.  It's really a great comparison, if you love chocolate as much as I do!  :)

Here are the seven principles (discussed in great detail in the book) as described by the author, Theresa Cheung:

1.  Discover the Sweet Center:  Positive change takes place from the inside out.
2.  Let It Melt In Your Mouth:  Make your life extraordinary.
3.  Chocolate Makes You Feel Good:  Stop feeling guilty.
4.  No Need to Eat the Whole Box:  Have the strength to say yes to what is important and no to what isn't.
5.  A Little Chocolate Goes a Long Way:  Expect nothing less than the best.
6.  Pass the Chocolates:  Give and receive in equal measure.
7.  Chocolate Heaven:  You can heal your life.

I just love the message!  So I found it only fitting to make brownies!!  I cheated again and used these.  I also added bittersweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.  Seriously, they are the best brownies I have ever had.

When I received my November issue of Real Simple and saw this tablescape, I was in love and so inspired:

I plan to have our Thanksgiving table look similar this year...but because I am impatient, I used what we had around here for a brownie photo shoot in a similar color scheme.  :)

Have a great day!!...and some chocolate.

Indulge!

These are heavenly and you must try them, if you love dark chocolate and almonds! Yum!! And wouldn't you know, they put these things by the register at Macy's? How could I resist?

Chocoiste Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds

by Godiva

Chocolate Snob!

I am a chocolate snob and I blame my parents. For as long as I can remember, my parents have been giving me Godiva chocolates for various holidays...in my stocking at Christmas, for Valentine's Day, in my Easter basket...you name the holiday, I got Godiva. I don't even really know how it started, but I do know that I now expect it! [photo credit]

My dad never quite got it. He always said, "Do you know how many candy bars I could get for the cost of this box of chocolate?" I just giggled and popped in a truffle. Even now, my husband doesn't quite understand it. He'll take a bite of my chocolate and proclaim, "That's not that great." I give him a dirty look and tell him to "stay the hell away from my chocolate, then!"

Now, we all know that Valentine's Day is almost here. I do realize I am probably one of the few that actually love this "holiday". Yeah sure, I don't need a day to express my love..blah, blah, blah..."It's a Hallmark holiday," blah, blah, blah. Whatever. Screw that...it's a day where I can get truffles, maybe even flowers, and a nice dinner. Yes I should get those things throughout the year, but whatever.

I am now realizing that perhaps Godiva isn't the absolute best of the best, but I'm still a fan! I did decide to branch out a little and try to find some other varieties that are equally as pleasing. My requirements: beautiful packaging (yes, this is important to me), chocolate so rich that I can really only eat one piece at a time, and the actual piece of chocolate must be pleasing to my eye.

Now without actually having tasted these treats from Red Envelope, they seem to fit the bill!

Mmmmm...how about these from Saks?

Whatever you decide, if you love chocolate, you deserve to indulge...even if you have to buy them for yourself!

Brownies!

When I am craving chocolate, sometimes there is nothing better than a big fat brownie! I have been a brownie-lover for years, so I have become pretty picky. Some may prefer a cake-like brownie, while others appreciate an ooey gooey one. I fall somewhere in the middle.

Finally after much trial and error, I found the perfect recipe and have been using it ever sense. In February 2004, Glamour magazine held a Great Brownie Bake-off, where members of their staff shared their recipes, had a taste-test, and decided on their favorite. Autumn Madrano won and this is her fabulous recipe:


The Ultimate Brownie
Ingredients
14 tablespoons butter (2 sticks minus 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate blocks
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13"x9"x2" baking pan with foil; grease the bottom and sides of the foil with butter.
• Melt butter, olive oil, and chocolate in a metal bowl suspended over simmering water (or use a double boiler).
  
• In a separate, large bowl beat eggs, whisking in salt, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir in chocolate-oil mixture. Fold into flour until just combined.
• Pour batter into pan and bake for about 50 minutes or until the top is shiny and feels moderately firm to touch.
• Cool thoroughly before cutting and store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  

Perhaps making brownies from scratch isn't your thing, but you still would like to bake your own brownies at home. Ghirardelli Premium Double Chocolate Brownie mix seems to be the best of the boxed mixes, in my opinion. If you are looking for a fat free brownie, give one of the No Pudge mixes a try. They are actually quite tasty!

Now maybe baking just is not your thing at all and you would like a wonderful brownie delivered to your door! Check out Fairytale Brownies. They come in a variety of flavors and boxes come in various combinations, gift types, and price ranges. You can even customize your own gift box! Yum.

For a chic treat, order from Mari's New York! These brownies are just as delicious as they are beautiful, and come in fabulous, inventive flavors! Take a look:



Whether you decide to bake or buy, take a break and have a brownie!!!