Fudge Brownie Marble Sundae Cheesecake

    Hello again to all you chocolate lovers!  Here's February's chocolate dessert #3! 

    Since yesterday was my birthday, I wanted to share some of the celebration with all of you.  I don't usually bake myself a birthday cake, but I thought, since I'd promised chocolate desserts this month, I would make something special that I could share.

    This is really like having two desserts in one......a dense, chocolate brownie layer on the bottom and a chocolate-swirled cheesecake layer on the top.......a fun dessert for a birthday party, I think.  This is a recipe I put together years ago when I had a small cheesecake business in New York.  The brownie crust is a slightly adapted recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Homemade Cookies Cookbook and the cheesecake part is just a basic cheesecake filling with some chocolate, melted and swirled through.

Peanut Butter Cup Surprise Cookies

    O.K., here's February's Chocolate Dessert #2.  Peanut butter and chocolate....a classic combination, and one of my family's favorites.  These cookies are really quick and easy to make and very rich!  They're a great alternative to a cake for a child's birthday party.  Just stack them up attractively on a cake plate, put the appropriate number of candles in some of the tops, and there you go!  Each child gets his own individual dessert!  No cake cutting, no kids complaining that someone else got a bigger piece; you don't even need forks!  These are also a fun treat to pop into a lunchbox (for the kids or the hubby), and a great, quick dessert to make for any get-together. THEY'RE JUST FUN!!    

Groundhog Cake for Groundhog Day!!

    Happy Groundhog Day everyone!  I guess old Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow so, according to this "expert", we can look forward to an early spring.  Well, that remains to be seen.  For now, let's just celebrate with a nice piece of cake! 
    First of all, let me say that I have absolutely no idea why this cake is called "Groundhog Cake".  I came across the recipe years ago on the Food Network.  The original recipe was a loaf cake, baked in a 9x13" pan.  I decided I wanted to make it a little more special, so I baked it as a layer cake and added some chocolate ganache underneath the espresso frosting.  The cake has a bit of a chewy texture from oatmeal that's baked in the batter.  And the espresso frosting, well....what can I say.  It's the same frosting I use on my Italian Espresso, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Brownies.  FANTASTIC!!!  It tastes like espresso fudge!!
So, friends, here's the first chocolate dessert for February.  ENJOY!!

February......It's such a "SWEET" month !!!

    Wow guys, do you believe it's February already?  Now the days will start to get longer.....YAY!.....and before you know it, we'll start to see signs of spring!  ( I might be pushin' it a little.)  Now, don't get me wrong....I've loved some of the blustery, snowy days we've had recently.  It reminds me of home!  Actually, this is nothin' compared to what we used to get in upstate N.Y.  The lake effect snow from Lake Ontario could really pack a punch!!  But, honestly, I liked that it made everything sort of slow down a bit.  I liked that you saw all your neighbors outside, doing the same thing........shoveling themselves out!  We're talking 5-6' snowbanks folks!!  But it gave everyone an excuse, if they needed one, to stay inside, all cozy and warm, and relax with their family (after the shoveling was done, of course).
   
    O.K., enough of my reminiscing; on to my plans for February.  This is quite a special and celebratory month, at least at my house.  You may not get too excited about the presidents' birthdays, but since I happen to share mine with old Abe Lincoln, the 12th is kind of special to me.  My next to youngest son, Brady, was born on the 17th, so obviously that demands a celebration.  And, let's not forget the 14th...... Valentine's Day..... the day of LOVE!!

    As I thought about this month and all of its "specialness", I thought....how could my posts this month express that "specialness"?  How could they express the celebration and love that's in the air?  Well, how about a month of DESSERTS? And since, as I've mentioned in a previous post, I have a deep and long-standing relationship with chocolate, how about all chocolate desserts?  Makes perfect sense to me!  I mean, what's one of the best ways you can celebrate a birthday.....yours or someone else's?.....eat Chocolate.  And ....Valentine's Day?.....well, it goes without saying......eat Chocolate!  So, that settles it!  In all of February's posts I will share Chocolate Dessert Recipes.  ( I'm getting excited just thinking about it! )  I hope you'll be stopping by to share in the celebration and get in on the goodies.  I'll do my best to mix it up a bit....cake, cookies, candy,etc. 

    Well, I'm gonna run now.  I'll leave you to imagine all the chocolatey goodness that's coming.  As for me......I've got to figure out how to step up the old work-out routine over the next few weeks!  See you soon!  

     

   

   

Yummy Red Pepper Soup

    Today's recipe may look very unassuming, maybe even plain, but let me assure you, it's really, well, YUMMY!  If you're looking for a spicy-hot red pepper soup....keep looking.  If you only like chunky soups filled with all sorts of meat and veggies....this isn't for you.  BUT...if you love the idea of a rich, creamy, savory-sweet soup and you love the flavor of roasted red peppers.....you're gonna love this!  It makes a great lunch or light dinner with the addition of some great rolls or a grilled sandwich and a salad.  The recipe comes from The Italian American Cookbook by John and Galina Mariani. 

Grilled Skewers of Calamari and Shrimp on a bed of Orzo, Artichokes, and Pine Nuts

    Wow, that's a mouthful!  And a delicious mouthful at that!  I tried to shorten the title, honest, but I just couldn't come up with something shorter that would convey all the yumminess of these recipes.  And...we are talking about two recipes here, friends!  They may sound fancy or complicated, but really are pretty simple to prepare and really good.    

    Now, I realize that I'm sharing this in the middle of January, but it would make a great summer meal also.  You can use a grill (indoor or outdoor) or broiler for the seafood (it only takes 4 minutes!) and the orzo dish can be served warm or at room temperature.  So....no heating up the kitchen for hours! 

Cinnamon Chocolate Pudding with Pine Nuts

    Chocolate pudding.....for me, another quintessential comfort food.  As a little girl, I remember it being a favorite dessert.  This is a bit more sophisticated with the addition of some cinnamon and toasted pine nuts.   Some  recipes will yield a pudding that has a soft, loose consistency.  This one makes a dense, rich, and intensely chocolate dessert.  It comes from the book Mario Batali Holiday Food. 
    Sharing Italian customs, as well as recipes, is something I've wanted to do with this blog.  But, I have to admit, that to share or not to share this next custom with you has caused me a bit of anxiety.  It's something I've never been aware of, and it was a bit shocking to me....even a little disturbing.  (Do I have your attention yet?)  I've gone back and forth and finally decided....I'll just go for it.  Learning about different cultures is good, right??