This week I’m celebrating the first anniversary of the revamped Forage blog and getting ready for Valentine’s Day. Both of which point to chocolate.
At this time last year, I had big plans for this blog. Some of them came true {even more cooking workshops both public and private}, some of them are still in process {e-books will happen this year now that I have a real designer on board}.
At heart, Forage has been all about eating well by making the best use of what you have on hand and hunting down the best sources for real food wherever you live. It’s about resourcefulness and learning to trust yourself in your own kitchen. {That’s right, there are no judges in there critiquing your food.}
If you’re new at Forage or curious, here are three key posts to see where I’m coming from:
It’s not about pretending that it’s all quick, fun and effortless. Just ask my family how many times I’ve punted dinner in the past two weeks. {“Tacos again, Mom?” Seriously, we recently had smoothies and toast for dinner!}
No matter what, I want to keep it real. For this year, instead of big plans, I have micro-goals. To show up each day and make steady progress on whatever I’m focused on in the moment.
Because here’s what I’ve realized in the past year about myself:
- I can only do one thing at a time–no, really.
- I need more time than I ever think I do to accomplish anything of value.
Yeah, I used to believe that I was a terrific multitasker and that it was all just about getting things done.
Mind, you, I still fall into the trap of believing that I can do multiple things at once, and I love nothing more than checking things off my list. But those are not what truly matters.
So, I’m scattered some of the time and overstretched at other times. But I love what I do–from writing articles about animal welfare and organic eggs to writing weeknight dinner recipes to teaching workshops and meeting other good cooks and thoughtful eaters.
So, I’ll be here each week, and I hope to learn more about your goals and challenges. Or when you just need some chocolate.
Hot Fudge Hot Chocolate
This recipe idea comes from my dear friend Judy who recently went to Chicago to visit her grandkids. On the way, she gave herself an afternoon to go to Mindy’s Hot Chocolate Restaurant & Dessert Bar.
What she loved so much about this particular chocolate drink is, “You spoon up the fudge through the hot chocolate,” she said. “It was so delicious.”
And when Judy says that you should pay attention because she is a culinary treasure trove of knowledge and experience. And she’s highly opinionated. Which is just one of the things I love about her.
I don’t know what Judy would think of my version of the hot fudge chocolate sundae. I used Sara Perry’s recipe for the hot fudge, poured it into sundae glasses to cool and then mixed up a batch of hot chocolate {light on the chocolate for more contrast}.
For the hot chocolate, I mix 1 heaping tablespoon granulated sugar and 1 heaping tablespoon good-quality cocoa powder for every cup (8 ounces) of heated milk. It’s just the way I’ve always made it for my kids without overthinking it. You can make whichever hot chocolate you like best.
It’s all about the textural difference in the eating experience–and whipped cream with shaved chocolate on top. For grownups, you can even spike it with some whiskey, bourbon, kahlua or your favorite spirit.
This is a celebration, after all. We’re going big and we’re winning.
At what? Whatever is in the moment.
Have a happy Valentine’s Day and celebrate those who love you most.
Fudge Hot Chocolate Sundaes
A layer of fudge sauce (original recipe by Sara Perry from her book Deep, Dark Chocolate) sits beneath hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. The exciting part is when you spoon the fudge from the bottom of the glass. There is a grown up version involving spirits, which you can easily leave out.
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 tablespoons whiskey, bourbon, kahlua or other spirits
- 3 cups prepared hot chocolate (homemade or instant)
- whipped cream, for serving
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Combine the chocolate and butter in a heavy-bottomed small saucepan and melt over very low heat, stirring until smooth. (So long as the heat is low, you do not need to use a double boiler method. If you have concerns about scorching the chocolate, set the saucepan in a skillet with 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.)
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Add the boiling water, sugar and corn syrup and stir to blend.
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Raise the heat to medium-high. Once the sauce boils, do not stir, but monitor the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook the sauce uncovered until thickened like heavy cream, about 3 minutes.
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Remove from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Add the salt and vanilla. Add the spirits, if using.
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Fill each serving glass about 1/4 full with fudge sauce and let cool to room temperature. (Reserve the rest for ice cream).
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When ready to serve, make 6 ounces of your favorite hot chocolate per serving. Go light on the chocolate for the best contrast. Pour the hot chocolate into the glass. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate before serving with a long spoon.
To make a light hot chocolate: Combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1/4 cup good-quality cocoa powder. Add 3 cups hot milk and stir to blend.
To shave chocolate, rub a vegetable peeler over the edge of a chocolate bar over a piece of parchment paper until you’ve collected several tablespoons to sprinkle on to of the whipped cream.
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