Common Sense Living

Archive for the ‘Recipes’ Category

 

With just one taste of this “Food of the Gods”, entire civilizations have fallen under it’s spell. Legend has it that one of the Aztec Gods was kicked out of the heavens for letting mere humans have this food which should have only been partaken of by the Gods.

 

It has been used for currency.

 

People have been enslaved just to produce this food.

 

For thousands of years only the ultra wealthy were able to partake in its wonders.

 

What is this Food of the Gods? Chocolate of course!

 

In the Mayan culture, the chocolate drink was consumed at weddings.

 

Casanova ate chocolate to improve his love-making.

 

 

Valentines day is the biggest chocolate giving time of the year. The act of eating chocolate, if done correctly, is sensual in itself.

 

The proper way to eat chocolate -

 

Get one piece of exquisite chocolate. Not the grocery store garbage. A good piece.

 

Take a good look at it. Anticipate taking that first lucious bite.

 

Slowly, take a bite. (do not shove the whole thing in your mouth!)

 

Close your eyes.

 

Let the chocolate melt over your tastebuds.

 

Slowly relish the creamy sweetness until it dissolves.

 

Repeat with the other half of the piece.

 

Take a deep breath.

 

Experience the release of the ‘feel good’ hormones as they bring total pleasure to your consciousness.

 

Take another deep breath.

 

Try this exercise with your lover and see what happens next!

 

No rushing allowed.

 

Ahhhh. Is it any wonder that this ‘Food of the Gods’ is such an important part of Valentine’s Day?

 

Chocolate should never be shoveled in by the truckload. That is for commoners. Do not disgrace this food of the gods. Eat it with full reverence.

 

You don’t have to pay $2 or more per piece to get truly delectible chocolate. You can make your own.

 

 

 

 

Belgian Chocolate Truffles

 

2 pounds of Belgian chocolate (or any brand of good quality chocolate)

 

One quart of heavy cream

 

1/4 lb. unsalted butter

 

1/3 C liqueur of choice

 

cocoa powder

 

Melt chocolate and cream over a double boiler.

 

Whisk in butter and liqueur.

 

Continue to whisk as the mixture cools and thickens.

 

Pour into quart containers and refrigerate.

 

Scoop out with melon baller, roll in powdered cocoa.

 

 

 

Get hundreds of wonderful chocolate recipes >>>

 

 

 

If you have more time than money this valentine’s day, you can make your own truffles. They are surprisingly easy. OK, messy too, but consider that the average good truffle costs about $2 per piece…

In Dubai, luxury truffles go for $270 per piece.

You can add a little luxury to your life for a lot less! 

Basic Truffle Recipe

½ Cup unsalted butter

2 1/3 C confectioner’s sugar

½ C cocoa

1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Centers: pecan, walnuts, whole almonds or after-dinner mints

Coatings: coconut, crushed nuts, confectioners sugar

Makes about 3 dozen truffles

Cream butter in large mixer bowl.

Combine 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar and the cocoa;

add alternately with cream and vanilla to butter. Blend well.

Chill until firm.

Shape small amount of mixture around desired center; roll into 1 inch balls.

Drop into desired coating and turn until well covered.

Chill until firm.

Take truffles out about 30 minutes before serving.

Rebel With a Fork members can enjoy luxurious eating any day. Imagine eating with class and getting thin and healthy by accident! Make sure to check out the special Valventines Dinner ideas.

 

Cinco de Mayo is a great day for food! Maybe they can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico City, and many of the Cinco de Mayo festivities have been cancelled – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a little fesitivity.

Mexican food is fresh, fast, and fun.

Take a tortilla and fill it will marinated steak, or chicken, and shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes, and you have the basics. If you don’t have time to marinate, no problem - sprinkle Fajita seasoning on your meat before cooking.

Add your choice of refried beans, salsa, guacamole, onions, black olives, or peppers and create your own masterpiece.

Serve cut up fresh pineapple, canteloupe, honey dew, or watermelon and you have a fun easy feast.

Simple, fun, and healthy.

And everyone can create their own masterpiece. My daughter likes grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and ranch dressing. I like the chicken with beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.

What will you create tonight?

I’ll have a Margerita please!

Get Carole’s Secret Recipe Stash >>>

 

 

OK, this one takes a little longer (10 or 15 minutes longer) than most of the stuff I make, but I love Jambalaya, don’t you? And any leftovers are great for lunch. Serve with a salad and some cornbread and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.

4 chicken breasts (halves) cut into bite sized pieces
3 links smoked sausage cut into bite sized pieces
1 tablespoon oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced green peppers
1 cup diced red peppers
1 large onion, diced
3 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 -14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes with juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 1/2 cups rice
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon cajun spice mix
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
dash tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt

Real recipe has 1/2 package frozen okra, but I don’t like okra so I don’t put it in. You should if you like it.

In a large dutch oven, brown chicken and sausage in oil until browned. Add onion, peppers and garlic and stir until onion is transparanet.

Add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20-25 minutes.

Something different for a change!

 

I grew up in a Jewish community. My poor friends. The Jewish ones were fasting or eating Matza. The Catholic ones were giving up meat on Fridays – and something else to signify some sort of sacrifice.

But there was one thing I loved about Passover. The Chocolate Macaroons.

I went today to look for a recipe – and the first one I found didn’t have coconut. I found that weird. Growing up macaroon was synonomous with coconut.

Here’s the recipe for what I know to be Chocolate Macaroons (with coconut)

Here’s the recipe for Chocolate Macaroons (no coconut)

Either way – they’re drop dead simple, and soooo good!