The Duke's Hot Chocolate

For Pretty Mommy's Recipe Exchange I wanted to share something pretty special.  I wanted something that is easy and perfect for the season and also a little mind blowing - at least this recipe was for me.  How about a hot chocolate recipe you can take with you in your sweater-wrapped vintage plaid thermos to take your kids to their first snow, share with your family after Thanksgiving, or trekking the forest finding the perfect Christmas tree.  I'm posting this a bit early since I read from Michelle from Studio Surface's delicious post about her Potato Soup that she mentioned I was posting today.  I'm next on the list for Nov. 1st, so...I'm early in case you came looking for my recipe today :).  I just saw that Michelle is from Del Mar, my old hometown...I miss it.

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This is the queen of all hot chocolate recipes - The Duke's Hot Chocolate.  I first read about it in the How to Eat Supper Cookbook.  It's scented with allspice, orange and vanilla. It's earth shatteringly good, if you ask me.

This hot chocolate dates back from 1632, and it it divine.  Pour your prepared hot chocolate in that thermos or in a pre-warmed teacup or mug and go straight to heaven.

From "The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper" by Lynne Rosetto Kasper & Sally Swift

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 tsp allspice

1 tbsp vanilla (or seeds from a whole vanilla bean)

generous pinch salt

1/8 tsp pepper (optional)

1/2 cup sugar, or to taste

zest of 1 orange, minced

3 cups water, or 1/2 eater, 1/2 milk; or 1/2 water, 1/2 cream

10.5 - 12 oz bittersweet chocolate (see recommendation in Notes), broken up

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients except chocolate; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 2 mins. Remove from heat and let cool for a few mins. Whisk in chocolate until smooth. Taste for sweetness and allspice. Serve hot.

NOTES:

* Makes 4-6 servings

*Can be held on the stove for 1 hour or longer and can be stored in the fridge up to 2 days

*Chocolate recommendations (in order of preference):
-- Lindt Excellence 70%
-- Valrhona 71%
-- Scarffen Berger 70%
-- Ghiradelli 70% Extra Bittersweet


*second image source unknown


Check out Sharon from I Can Totally Make That.  Can't wait!

handmade with love

Note: these are not my child.  Keep reading for details on these adorable pants...

I am really digging these.  I really want to start making some for Patrick and Gretchen with some of Sean's old shirts that aren't perfect any longer.  These are so adorable and made with so much love.  I hope I'll get some pep in my step and pull my sewing machine out of the closet.  Grace is so creative and has such great style.  

I took myself out on a date

So, last night I felt like my kids were eating me whole.  I was feeling pretty used up by the time my sweet husband came home from work.  After both kids were asleep I snuck out for a night on the town.  I had initially thought I'd pick up a new nail polish at the drug store for some cheap fun, just like in high school and college.  But, I thought I'd have a little more retail fun than that.


After rolling back the moonroof of my minivan, I cranked up KJZZ {I'm such an old lady - always have been} and I decided I first needed some aromatherapy.  Normally, I don't wear anything 'cause I get a tickle in my nose with most perfumes but was in need of a pick me up.


I headed out and picked up the teeny roller ball perfume of Kate Spade's new scent: Twirl.  It's lovely.  I am still twirling around in a cloud of Twirl.  So happy 'bout it too.  Tell me you don't totally love the description {tho' I don't know if I should wear it or lick it}:

a dash of joie de vivre- perfect for colorful days and cocktail soirees...

• pink watermelon mingles with blackberry and red currant
• enhanced with a heart of fresh flowers including orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia
• the frangrance is finished with luminous musks and a touch of french macaron (straight from the patisserie, of course)

Then I thought I'd browse the racks at Last Chance to see if there was anything I couldn't live without.  Well, I didn't find much for me but the kids' shoe rack was loaded with great finds {especially for Gretchen}.  The best part about Last Chance is coming home and checking to see what regular retail price is for all the loot you picked up.  I grabbed 6 pairs of shoes for $12.99/pair and they all normally retail for about $50/pair.  See Honey, I saved us $222.  Wow!  Ok ok, I wouldn't go out and spend that much in the first place. Here's what I found:

{Morgan + Milo}

{Keen}

I found these in two sizes

{Nordstrom}

{Nordstrom}

I can't find a pic of the last darling pink pair of sneaks for G.  They're adorable, trust me.

Then I swung by the "regular grocery store" to pick up a few things that we can't get at Trader Joe's.  I pretty much get my weekly groceries like this: Get food from farm, make meal plan using The Scramble, shop TJs for the rest of the stuff, shop at "regular grocery store" as needed.

Today we needed more chocolate chips.  I think they're the best in the world and totally necessary in any great cook's pantry.  Behold, Guittard Bittersweet Chips.  They are the best.  The BEST.

Lastly, I picked up a Sunset Mag.  I have always loved Sunset and I was reminded how much I loved Sunset {it'd been a while since I'd picked one up} from Kristina of Lovely Morning.  On a side note about LM...I sorta feel weird following the blog.  We went to high school together but didn't really run in the same circle of friends.  I stumbled upon her blog earlier this year, I added the RSS...but, we're not Facebook friends.  Social media is weird.  Either way, she has great style and taste.  I love her recipes.

I was especially happy to see the make ahead menu idea on the cover.  I'm hosting again this year and I'm trying to mainstream all the planning so that I can focus on the people.  My mom and grandmother did most of the work last year and I'd like to lessen that if I can this year.  

That was my night.  It was great fun and now we're loaded up with more chips in case I get a hankering for double chocolate chip cookies.  I'll post the recipe soon, they're to die for!

Chandelier Crush

 

I love love love love love this chandelier.  Maybe I can find a smaller version of this for my dining room.  I found the pictures here.

lands end canvas

I'm so loving the Land's End Canvas collection.  Photos are making the rounds in blogland and here are my personal notes of what to suggest with a nudge and a wink to my sweetie.

Plaid, Butternuts and a Dessert Truck

I've always been a sucker for InStyle magazine, ever since it came out.  I'm loving Rachel McAdams and all the great recommendations of blogs and sites about fashion, kids, food, and home.

Here's one of them: The Party Dress.  Check out this awesome party inspired by plaid.

There's another site I'd not seen called Sprouted Kitchen.  It looks like there are lots of ideas for seasonal recipes.  I'm always looking for those.  I must make this butternut squash and lentil dish since I have like 5 butternuts sitting on my dining room table.

And my last little note is one this darling blog by party planner Amy Atlas of NY.  There are so many great ideas here.  I love this dessert table on a truck set up.

Mall pretzels

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Here's a fun recipe for the weekend {especially if you have kids}.

We made some homemade pretzels yesterday in lieu of going to the mall to get them.  They're Patrick's favorite.  We had fun with the dough with the windows blowing a cool breeze into the warm kitchen.  We all spoiled our dinner.  They were just scrumptious - especially with the cheese sauce I made too!

Bento Lunches

I have this obsession with bento lunches for kids.  There are loads of websites dedicated to this art form.  Don't these make you want to go to grade school again.  I would love to have these in my lunchbox and I think I'm going to learn how to do them for Patrick and Gretchen.  So so fun.












I'm gonna learn how to make these at Bento Summer School.

I found a few more pictures just in case you weren't cuted out yet...


These are from Sonoma Bento.

 

The Autumn Love Brown Rice Salad + variations...that rocks my world

Today I made it with fresh whole wheat berries from the farm.  But the basic recipe is the same.  Maybe it's the dressing or just the combination of it all but I LOVE THIS SALAD.  I've always been a huge fan of the prepared salads in the refrigerated case at Whole Foods.  This is better than any I've had there.

I decided to toast my wheat berries in a little olive oil before cooking in boiling water and I must say it made a little difference in the cooking time and the flavor.  Nice.

Ok, are you ready for it?  Here it is:

Autumn Love Brown Rice Salad

{+ variations}

Get a big bowl {I like making this in my great big glass bowl}

Lovingly prepare and place the following in the bowl:

3 cups cooked brown rice 

{or cooked wheat berries, or cooked quinoa or whatever you have} 

1 apple, diced 

{granny smith, or whatever you have is fine, maybe you could use asian pears too}

2 celery stalks, finely chopped 

{I didn't have any today so I used a cucumber - something mild and crunchy}

1 red bell pepper, chopped 

{I had yellow and orange mini bells, I used those}

1/2 bunch of green onions, chopped 

{or you could do a shallot or some chives if that makes you happy}

1/2 cup walnut pieces 

{I suppose you could use any nut - the farm has pistachios right now, but walnuts are nice - especially if you toast them first}

1 cup cooked chicken 

{or your protein of choice - garbanzos or baked tofu would be a nice alternative I think}

3 tablespoons flat leaf parsley

{I didn't have any, I think this part is optional but it makes the salad look like a million bucks and adds another fresh component}

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons olive oil 

{the Trader Joe's California Estate one in the long skinny bottle is stellar}

salt & pepper

Mix

Eat.  Smile.  Giggle with delight!

It's sweet salty oniony chewy crispy crunchy soft and perfect.  Just what a great salad should be.  I have to thank Tyler Florence for this one.  I saw this on an episode of Food 911 a looooong time ago.  Thanks Tyler!

Bridesmaid dresses

How stinkin' gorgeous are these! I wish I'd had the J Crew catalog to pull from for my bridesmaids.  I saw these today during my 5 second break in the day while reading the mail.

I still love that I had them pick.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  Have my bridesmaids pick, and get married to Sean.  Here's a photo from my wedding over 8 years ago!

My weekend

I was sort of dreading this weekend.  We had a long drive to San Diego with a little baby and the dogs and the rest of us.  

My friend Kelley, whom I'd known since 3rd grade, recently passed.  I hadn't really kept in touch with her much since high school {except for a bit on Facebook} but I guess I thought I'd always have a chance to catch up with her.  In fact, I had drafted an email to her {along with some other old friend mommies from Del Mar} and was about to send it the day I heard she was missing.   She was missing for a month and a half.  All her friends on Facebook were checking their accounts several times a day hoping for the best.  We didn't get the good news we were wanting.

I was always jealous of her beautiful red hair, her amazing vocabulary, her wit and sass, her kindness, her awesome athleticism.  I cannot imagine what it will be like for her darling son Cory not ever really getting to know his mommy.  It just breaks my heart.  I miss you Kelley.  You service was breathtaking and sweet and wonderful and perfect.  You would have loved it.

While Gretchen and I attended the service, Patrick and my family {including my brother} went to the brand new snake exhibit at the Natural History Museum.  We got our obligatory fill of ceviche at Point Loma Seafoods and I got to cruise the coast while Gretchen took her morning naps.  The weather was misty and rainy and drizzly and just what I needed.

I feel refreshed and ready for a spectacular fall filled with fun and food and lots of hugging and kissing the ones I love.

Fall Mixtape

This cute blog Live and Enliven has created a Fall music mix.  I love finding new music.  Especially now that it's so hard being out of the new music scene.  I listened to all kinds of great bands when I worked at KAMP Student Radio at U of A in college.

Check out the blog post and music download I found here.

Baked on Monday - Jam Buns

I just discovered the blog Pinecone Camp and I am absolutely floored at how yummy these look.  I really want to make them.  Jam buns, they just sound adorable!

my morning coffee

One of my big ol' souvenir mug from Starbucks {I used to work for their Foodservice Division a million years ago} filled with coffee {decaf at the moment} made via VIA {love love love that product} and a splash {or couple glugs} of half and half. MMMMmmm.

Tractor pull

We've been planting a lot at the farm recently and I just can't wait for all the beautiful greens and radishes and root vegetables that we'll have for all this welcome cool weather.  I can't wait.

One grey strand

My first grey hair and it has to be short and stick straight up in my natural part.  

I can't pluck it 'cause it'll stand straight up even more.  

I'm not ready to start dying my hair.  Maybe once I have 5.  {sigh} I'm starting to get old! The good part is that I'm not feeling it just yet.

On a side note: my JC Penney glasses have lasted me at least 5 years now.  Impressive.

Jamie Meares on La Dolce Vita

I was reading this cute interview this morning and I really loved this part of the Q & A:

LDV: What is your idea of living "la dolce vita"?

JM: Having a beach house that all of your friends can go to every weekend with approximately four dogs, lots of margaritas, clean sheets, some sort of rope swing over water ... or maybe a trampoline in the water, lots of bookcases, and really nice handsoap and guacamole.

It's the simple things in life, really, that make us the most happy.  I wholeheartedly agree.

Christopher Kimball is da bomb

I follow Chris Kimball's tweets and I just came across this recipe for Cloudcakes.  Don't they sound absolutely heavenly.  Cloudcakes.  Ahhh, I know what I'm making this weekend.

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Cloudcakes

Serves 4

These light-as-air pancakes are best served with maple syrup.Home stovetops vary, so you may need to adjust the burner setting between medium-low and medium. For maximum rise, allow the eggs and buttermilk to come up to room temperature before using them. Low-fat buttermilk works best in the recipe – if using fat-free buttermilk, reduce the amount to 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons. Although these pancakes are at their puffiest when served in batches, they may be kept warm on a cooling rack sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray and placed over a sheet pan in a 200-degree oven for up to 20 minutes.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk (see headnote)

1/4 cup sour cream

2 large eggs, separated, plus 1 extra egg white

2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in large bowl. Stir buttermilk and sour cream together in medium bowl until combined. Add egg yolks and butter to buttermilk mixture, and stir well to combine. With electric mixer or balloon whisk, beat egg whites in large bowl to soft peaks. Pour buttermilk mixture over dry ingredients and whisk together until just combined. (The batter should be lumpy with visible streaks of flour.) Using spatula, carefully fold whites into batter until just combined. Do not over-mix—a few streaks of whites should be visible.

2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Using 1/4-cup measure or small ladle, spoon batter into pan. Cook until bottoms are evenly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on second side, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Serve, cooking remaining batter and using more vegetable oil as needed to grease pan.

dreamy bathroom

The gorgeous black walls, black and white tub, lovely floor and towel warmer.  I need a soak, in there, pronto.

(image by NY based photographer Melanie Acevedo via Style Files)