DOUBLE DUTCH TREATS

I LOVE DARK CHOCOLATE, AND YES I WILL ADMIT I'M A CHOCOLATE SNOB.....SO WHEN B'WANA SURREPTITIOUSLY PUT THE RECIPE FOR FOOD PROCESSOR CHOCOLATE MOUSSE ON MY PILE OF READING... I WAS SKEPTICAL.... BUT AS THEY SAY THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING... OR IN THIS CASE THE MOUSSE.
FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 5/26/2012

BILL HUTTON'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
7 OZ SEMISWEET OR BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE (NOT MORE THAN 62% CACAO) COARSELY CHOPPED
1/3C MILK (THE REALY DEAL PLEASE)
2T SUGAR 
PINCH SEA SALT
2 T FLAVORLESS VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA OR I USED PISTACHIO)
1 1/2T LIQEUR (OPTIONAL  I USE ESPRESSO COFFEE)
2t PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
1C HEAVY CREAM


1. BLAST CHOCOLATE IN A FOOD PROCESSOR UNTIL VERY FINELY GROUND, LEAVE IN THE PROCESSOR BOWL.


2 BRING MILK, SUGAR & SALT TO SIMMER (LITTLE BUBBLES ON THE SIDE OF THE SAUCE PAN)STIRRING TO DISSOLVE THE SUGAR.  TURN ON THE PROCESSOR A& POUR SWEETENED HOT MILK THROUGH THE FEED TUBE, PROCESSING FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS, OR UNTIL THE CHOCOLATE HAS MELTED.


3. ADD OIL, LIQUEUR OR ESPRESSO AND VANILLA.  PROCESS FOR ANOTHER 10 SECONDS TO BLEND THOROUGHLY.


4. SCRAPE MIXTURE INTO A LARGE BOWL AND LET COOL ABOUT 10 MINUTES.


5.  BEAT THE HEAVY CREAM UNTIL IT JUST STATS TO HOLD A VERY SOFT SHAPE.  FOLD 1/3 OF BEATEN CREAM INTO CHOCOLATE.  FOLD IN REMAINING CREAM.  DO NOT OVER MIX.  IMMEDIATELY SCOOP INTO SIX PRETTY DESSERT GLASSES.


6. REFRIGERATE UNTIL MOUSSE SETS, ABOUT AN 1 HOUR OR UNTIL READY TO SERVE.  GARNISH WITH A PINCH OF FLEUR DE SEL (OPTIONAL)


THE VERY SAME DAY I GOT AN EMAIL FROM MY MARTHA STEWART COOKIE OF THE DAY LIST...WITH THE FOLLOWING RECIPE.... MY THOUGHT COMBINE THE TWO FOR A DOUBLE DUTCH TREAT


FLOUR LESS DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PECAN COOKIES (MARTHA STEWART)




3C CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR(SIFTED, SPOONED & LEVELED)


3/4C DUTCH-PROCESS COCOA POWDER ( SIFTED SPOONED & LEVELED)


1/2 t COARSE SALT


5OZ BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE, CHOPPED


1 1/2C CHOPPED PECANS (OR OTHER NUT OF YOUR CHOICE)
4 LARGE EGG WHITES AT ROOM TEMPERATURE


1. PRE HEAT OVEN TO 325 DEGREES (AT LEAST 10 MINUTES).  IN A LARGE BOWL, WISK TOGETHER SUGAR, COCOA, & SALT.  STIR IN THE CHOPPED CHOCOLATE & PECANS.  ADD EGG WHITES AND STIR JUST UNTIL INCORPORATED ( DO NOT OVER MIX)


2.  DROP DOUGH BY 1/4 CUPFULS , 3 INCHES APART, ONTO 2 PARCHMENT-LINED RIMMED BAKING SHEETS.  BAKE UNTIL COOKIE TOPS ARE DRY AND CRACKLED, ABOUT 25 MINUTES.  ROTATING SHEETS HALFWAY THROUGH THE BAKING TIME.  TRANSFER SHEETS TO A WIRE RACK AND LET COOKIES COOL COMPLETELY (TO STORE, KEEP IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER UP TO 3 DAYS)


SERVE ONE COOK WITH I SERVING OF MOUSSE.  DDDDDD   LISH!

POLITE FAVA BEANS

AT YOGA THIS MORNING, THE YOGI (TEACHER) ASKED ME HOW DO I STAND THE PREPPING OF THOSE DELICIOUS GREENS..... MY ANSWER IS A LITTLE AT A TIME.  USE THE FAVA AS AN EMBELLISHMENT TO YOUR DISHES, THEN THE PREP WILL NOT BE BORING AND LONG....  REMEMBER  A LITTLE GOES ALONG WAY

THE DARLING BEANS, SO TEMPING TO BUY ALOT.... MY RULE A HANDFUL AT A TIME

SPLIT THE POD OPEN WITH YOUR FINGER AND DISCOVER THE PRECIOUS BEAN NESTLED  IN A SOFT CUSHION IN THE POD, LIKE A JEWEL WAITING TO BE TAKEN

WITH A SHARP LITTLE KNIFE OR FINGER PINCH THE BEAN SO THAT YOU CAN  UNCOVER JEWEL HIDDEN BENEATH YET ANOTHER PROTECTED SHELL.  I USELY WORK FOR TEN MINUTES WITH THIS PREP.  REFRIGERATE THE BEANS IN A COVERED CONTAINER UNTIL READY TO USE .  (PLEASE USE WITH IN 4 DAYS)....PHEW.... THE HARD WORK IS DONE!

 ROAST HALIBUT WITH GREENS ( PEA HUMMUS, ASPARAGUS, & BABY ARUGULA) TOMATOES AND FAVA BEANS.... THIS DINNER TOOK ME 15 MINUTES TO MAKE... SO IT SHOULD TAKE YOU NO MORE THAN 25!.....I'M NOT ASHAMED TO SAY BETTER THAN MOST RESTAURANTS!

2 6OZ HALIBUT FILLETS ( OR ANY OTHER WHITE FLESH FISH) SKIN ON
OLIVE OIL
SALT & PEPPER
2 KUMATO TOMATES
BABY ARUGULA
A BUNCH OF PENCIL ASPARAGUS
PEA HUMMUS
1T ITALIAN PARSLEY CHOPPED
FAVA BEANS BLANCHED (ADDED THEM TO BOILING WATER FOR 3 TO 5 MINUTES)
BALSAMIC VINEGAR

PRE HEAT OVEN TO 500 DEGREES (THAT MEANS  AT LEAST 10 MINUTES) GET EVERYTHING READY AND AWAY YOU'LL GO
NOW LINE A LIPPED COOK SHEET WITH ALUMINUM FOI L (EASY CLEANING BABY).  ADD ABOUT 2T TO 1/4 C OLIVE OIL TO THE BAKING SHEET. SWISH YOUR FISH FILLET(WITH SKIN) INTO THE OLIVE OIL TO COAT BOTH SIDES.  PLACE ON SHEET SKIN SIDE DOWN.  SEASON WITH SALT & FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER ( A PINCH OF GARLIC POWDER DOESN'T HURT EITHER)  ROAST IN OVEN ABOUT 8 TO 10 MINUTES

IN THE MEAN TIME, CUT THE TOP 4 OR 5 INCHES OFF YOUR PENCIL THIN ASPARAGUS ( ABOUT AN INCH ABOVE THE LOWER RUBBER BAND)  WRAP THE "TOP" HALF OF THE ASPARAGUS THAT YOU JUST CUT WITH PAPER TOWELS, PUT IN A PLASTIC BAG AND REFRIGERATE FOR ANOTHER DAY.
WASH THE ASPARAGUS "BOTTOMS",  WITH A SHARP KNIFE SLICE 1/4" ROUNDS FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE STALKS, AND SET A SIDE.... DISCARD THE WOODY BOTTOMS

NOW'S A GOOD TIME TO BLANCH THE FAVA BEANS ( JUST ENOUGH FOR TODAY'S DISH)

WASH AND CUT INTO QUARTERS ONE TOMATO FOR EACH PERSON.  I LOVE KUMATOES THIS TIME OF YEAR.....BUY ENOUGH TO USE WITH IN THREE DAYS AND KEEP OUT OF FRIG... THEY WILL TAKE BETTER

CHECK YOUR FISH TO SEE IF IT'S COOKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, BUT STILL MOIST AND FLAKY... OVER COOKED FISH TASTE LIKE SAW DUST....  AND HAVE READY 

ADD A 1/2CUP PEA HUMMUS  (SEE EARLIER POST FOR RECIPE)  TO SERVING PLATE (OPTIONAL HEAT IN MICROWAVE FOR ONE MINUTE)

ADD BABY ARUGULA AND TOMATOES TO  PLATE

PLACE FISH FILLET ON TOP OF PEA HUMMUS

ADD RAW ASPARAGUS ON TOP OF FISH

GARNISH WITH  FAVA BEANS & PARSLEY, DRIZZLE BALSAMIC VINGAR ( I PUT MY CLEAN FINGER OVER THE TOP OF THE BOTTLE AND SPRINKLE A LITTLE AT A TIME) & OLIVE OIL (SAME METHOD) OVER GREENS, TOUCH UP WITH A PINCH OF SALT & PEPPER
SERVE

MOTHERS DAY MADNESS OR HOW I SPENT A FAB DAY WITH MY DAUGHTER

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL DAY ON THE DAY

THE RACK STAR WANTED TO SHARE AN EVENT WITH ME THAT INCLUDED:

 FOOD & WINE...... SUCH A DEAL!

THE GREAT GOOGA MOOGA IN PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN,NY..

WAS THE PLACE 2 B

THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT (THE GODS WHERE ON THE EVENT PLANNERS SIDE)

IT WAS  THE AFTERNOON,  OUR FIRST STOP WAS INSIDE THE CAROUSEL HOUSE
FOR A BEER VERSE WINE CHEESE PAIRING 

I ATTENTIVE TO THE INFORMATION WE RECEIVED

THE CHEESES WERE YUMMY AND TO MY SURPRISE BEER WON!
( hic  SHAME ON US WE WERE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN)

VENTURING OUT INTO THE OPEN AREA..... WE HEARD THAT M.WELLS WAS A MUST(ANTHONY BORDAIN'S FAVORITE)
holy rabbit!  GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WITH HORSE MEAT BOLOGNA & FOIE GRAS....
THE VERDICT ?  TO DIE FOR....  that's how good!

THE CROWDS WHERE THERE, AND SO WAS FABULOUS MUSIC

OUR FAVORITE PLACE WAS THE MONKEY BAR GOES BANANAS  COCKTAIL PARTY AT THE BOATHOUSE

THE FOIE GRAS "JELLY DONUTS " WHERE TRUELY MELT IN YOUR MOUTH DELIGHTS

BZ FLIRTING WITH THE BAR MAN ( HAT'S DARLINGS WILL GET YOU ANYWHERE) AT THE BOATHOUSE
MY FAV COCKTAIL WAS CALLED "THE NETHERMEAD"  MY PARTNER IS CRIMES FAV WAS THE TROPIC OF CANCER..... WHAT ARE THEY?  WELL YOU'LL HAVE JUST VISIT THE MONKEY BAR TO FIND OUT

RACK STAR  THANKS FOR THE BEST MOTHER'S DAY EVER!

LADIES WHO LUNCH?

NOW THAT'S NOT MY STYLE, BUT FOR A GREAT CAUSE... I CAN'T SAY NO!

wednesday 5.23.12

THE PLACE TO BE WAS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S

DIAMOND LUNCHEON AND BOUTIQUE

AT TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB , BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY

THE SKIES MAY HAVE BEEN GREY, INSIDE IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY

NO RUBBER CHICKEN! POACHED SALMON AND SALAD.......MY FAVORITE

DARLENE, JULIE AND CAROLINE   ALL LOOKING DEVINE

JOY, SARA WITH  HER ADORABLE DAUGHTER AND THE SISTER

LINDA LOOKING RADIANT AS ALWAYS ( NOT BAD AS SHE JUST HAD TRIED ON A CUTE TOP FOR THE SUMMER)

SWEET ENDINGS TO A  SPECIAL DAY OF SHOPPING,  CATCHING UP WITH GOOD FRIENDS,  EATING AND GIVING TO A CHARITY WE LOVE

DARLENE AND BZ 

SPRING FLING IN SARATOGA SPRINGS

AN ANNUAL SPRING EVENT THAT I LOVE,    DID I SAY LOVE?.... TO GO TO IS:

 JEN O'CONNOR'S

EARTH ANGLES  SPRING FLING @ SCHUYLER POND

AFTER A QUICK 3HOUR DRIVE (WELL WORTH IT).....SUNDAY'S HEAVENLY BREAKFAST WITH:
 JO PACHAM, MELODY ELIZABETH AND HER SISTER MARIE PENDLEY

FOOD & BEAUTIES AMONG THE FLOWERS

IT WAS THE MOST GORGEOUS SPRING DAY

CORSAGES "WROUGHT WITH VINTAGE" EMBELLISHMENTS (BY MARIE PENDLEY) GREETED US IN TO THE SHOWCASE

GOOD FRIENDS JO PACHMAN ( WHERE WOMEN CREATE)  AND SALLIANNE MC CLELLAND ( ART IS YOU)

SALLIANNE, THE DELICIOUS MIZ BeE, MELODY ELIZABETH & JENNIFER LANNE

BZ, MELODY ELIZABETH & THE VERY TALENTED LAURIE MESEROLL

A LOVELY GUEST WITH THE SASSY SISTERS (CHECK OUT THE HAND MADE BLING BLING)

BZ & LETTY WORLEY WITH HER FANTASTIC BEAR CREATIONS

A  FRIEND OF JEN'S WEARING A FABULOUS CORSAGE BY DERBY BLOOMS

BUNNIES TO JUMP FOR JOY

ART WORK TO DROOL FOR!

BZ, JEN & JENNIFER LANNE AND HER SENSATIONAL PAINTINGS

I CAUGHT YOU!  LETTY WORLEY WORKING UP SOME MORE BEAR MAGIC

LUCKY SALLIANNE WITH HER NEW PURCHASE FROM JENNIFER LANNE

BURDICK'S HONEYBEE COLLECTION OF CHOCOLATES... BZ TREAT FOR THE DAY

A VIGNETTE INSIDE SCHUYLER POND SHOPPE

AFTER SPENDING A DAY WITH JEN AT A EARTH ANGLES SHOWCASE/ROADSHOW AIN''T THAT THE TRUTH

TEA ANYONE?

PURCHASING THE NEWEST ISSUES OF WHERE WOMEN COOK AND WHERE WOMEN CREATE
THANKS JO FOR SUCH GREAT PUBLICATIONS
THANK YOU JEN AND ALL THE EARTH ANGLE GIRLS FOR A DAY OF JOY, FUN AND BEAUTY....

TO ALL THE ARTISTS THAT I FAILED TO FOTO, FORGIVE ME AS ALL WHERE AWESOME  AND NEXT TIME YOU'LL BE HIGH LIGHTED... MERCI