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2008
Archives Directory

All Us All the Time Archive of 2007 Tips

2008 Tip Archives

2/08 Strawberry Tuxedos

Recipe, Party and Decorating Ideas

2007
Archives Directory

December 2007 Tip - Chocolate Covered Curry Almonds

2007 Tip Archives

2/07 Strawberries Ducale

4/07 Tea Party Ideas

6/07 Grilled Pizza

9/07 Pumpkin Carving Party

12/07 Chocolate Covered Curry Almonds

Holiday Gift Guide and Chocolate Covered Curry Almonds Recipe

Holiday Gift Guide and Chocolate Almonds Recipe

Can you believe the holiday season is here again? Our landscape will soon shimmer, glisten, sparkle, twinkle, and jingle with whiffs of cinnamon, clove, and ginger in the air. This is a time for rejoicing, singing, sharing, gathering, and gift buying. To assist you on the latter, we listed below a few gift-giving ideas we hope will help you in your quest for finding the perfect gift or spark an idea or two without breaking the pocketbook. One inexpensive gift that is great to give to neighbors, teachers, co-workers, and service providers is chocolate covered curry almonds. Recently we have seen articles on the benefits of dark chocolate and almonds lowering blood pressure and containing cancer-fighting antioxidants. We have also read that curry powder helps reduce brain plaque, so we were wondering what would happen if you

2006
Archives Directory

2006 Tip Archives

12/06 Snoball Cookies

11/06 Pumpkin Pie

10/06 Halloween Menus

9/06 Halloween Fiendishly Fiesta Feast

8/06 Watermelon Soup

7/06 Ice Cream Socials

6/06 Summer Parties & Fruit Pizza Recipe

5/06 Swedish Pancakes

4/06 Egg Decorating

combine all three together? An absolutely delicious treat, which is supposedly good for you, right? Or at least that is our story and we are sticking to it, see below for recipe. Visit our archives for two

other fantastically scrumptious holiday treats that also make delectable gifts:

Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Book Lovers:

"I am incredibly impressed! The book is just amazing; far more than I ever expected. As many children's books are done so "simple", nothing to take note of graphically. Yours is so detailed with a real story line...interesting story line. I'm totally impressed by it."
Diane Maki, WI

Children's Book: Willow May Goes to the Midnight Carnival
Willow May Goes to the Midnight Carnival, written by Icats Nitram and illustrated by Pamela McCarville, is a celebration of everything magical. The vivid illustrations through out the book enhance the journey into an enchanting, yet mysterious world of fantasy. Enjoyable for both children and adults. Purchase Willow May directly through AUATT Publishing, and receive a signed copy with a free bookplate plus a free Willow May bookmark and Willow May button (12 designs to choose from).

Also available from:

An enchanting cookbook is Colorado Cravings, Recipes and Romance, by Gail Riley with Bette Milleson James, gorgeously illustrated and designed by Pamela McCarville. Gail Riley invites you to experience some of Colorado's rustic mountain charm and hospitality throughout the pages of this beautifully done cookbook. Colorado Cravings not only provides delicious recipes, but charming decorating ideas too. To read more about this stunning book and its availability, visit www.coloradocravings.com.

Tea Lovers:

Put together your own tea gift basket or purchase a tea gift set. To make your own, start out with an oversized latte cup and fill with a tin of loose tea, a box of make your own tea sacks ("t-sacs"), and the perfect teaspoon.

For a little extra fun you could add-in decorative teacup magnets and notecards. A great place for tea and tea accessories is Bonjour Gourmet. They carry several varieties of loose-leaf tea, St. Dalfour tea, Stash tea, Yogi Tea, Chanakara Tea, and many more. Bonjour Gourmet also carries tea accessories such as the T-Sacs, teaspoons, tea strainers, tea presses and teapots. If you don't want to put together your own tea gift basket, Bonjour Gourmet also has a huge selection of tea gift boxes and gift sets. I will admit, I am a coffee drinker myself, but after looking at Bonjour's adorable tea gift sets, I may just have to give tea a try, especially the Stash Holiday Tea Trio Gift of Holiday Chai, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Morning teas. (P.S. You could also make your own coffee gift basket with an oversized latte cup or even a travel mug, besides a bag of exotic coffee, you can also get small bottles of flavoring or packets of sugar in the raw to add in. Bonjour Gourmet also carries gourmet coffees).

The Cook:

To continue on the theme of gift baskets, if you need to give a gift to someone who loves to cook or moved into their first home, a cookbook basket is a neat idea. For your basket, use a nice mixing bowl, colander, or baking pan. Then mix in slowly...okay just kidding. You can then fill the bowl or pan with a favorite cookbook (how about Colorado Cravings, Recipes and Romance), kitchen utensils such as spatulas, whisks, measuring spoons or cups. Another nice touch is to add in a few bookmarks, post-it flags, or notecards so they can mark or write down their favorite recipes. If your cook is a veteran chef, more than likely they will already have all the latest in kitchen utensils and accessories. If this is the case, instead of the utensils, pick out one of the recipes in the cookbook and put in those ingredients, especially if there are unique spices or oils needed for the dish.

The Traveler:

For someone who likes to travel or has a big trip coming up, you could put together a travel kit for them. Get an inexpensive tote or small bag and fill it with travel guides and maps to either their destination or unique and unusual places. Include luggage tags, passport cover, water bottle and a writing journal for them to record all their adventures.

The Movie Buff:

This is a particularly fun idea if you need a gift for a couple, a movie basket. Start out with a good-sized popcorn bowl and fill it with microwave popcorn, licorice, pretzels, and chocolate candies. Then select a DVD, which can be a recent release or old time classic. A perfect gift for a couple to have a perfect evening together watching a movie. Depending on the movie, you could even throw in some fun accessories such as movie posters, calendars, or anything that would be related to the movie's theme.

For Her:

Stationery not only makes a beautiful gift but a practical one too. We always have an occasion to send a small note gratitude, thanks, best wishes, thinking of you, congratulations, or just because. In today's cyberspace world it is easy to send an e-card, but how exciting and heart warming it is when you get a personal greeting card in the mail. Admit it, it is a wonder feeling. Even though it may not seem like it, stationery is a gift that will be appreciated and well used. You can even add in a unique pen and decorative postage stamps or even custom stamps from stamps.com. For a wide range and variety of colorful and whimsical stationery, visit allusallthetime.com.

Stocking Stuffers for Everyone:

If you are needing small stocking stuffers for family, friends, co-workers, teachers, hostesses, neighbors, service providers or any one else you are wanted to give a small treat for the holiday season, allusallthetime.com has a huge selection of magnets, buttons, compact mirrors, and key chains, special designs just for the holidays or designs for all-year round. They also have adorable wool felt gift tags with a small pouch. Another great stocking stuffer is home-made chocolate covered curry almonds, see below for the recipe.

Chocolate Covered Curry Almonds Recipe

You will need:

3 cups of almonds
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoon of curry powder
28 oz semi-sweet dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix almonds, olive oil, and curry powder in a large bowl until almonds are well coated, let sit for 5 minutes. While mixture is sitting, take a baking sheet and coat with vegetable spray. After the 5 minutes spread the almonds out on the baking sheet. Place in preheated oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes until the almonds are evenly toasted. Remove from oven and cool.

Next melt chocolate very slowly in a double boiler, stirring constantly until melted (see below for microwave instructions). Remove from heat and immediately stir in the almonds. Take the baking sheet and place wax paper or parchment paper on top of it. Then with a small slotted spoon, remove the almonds one by one shaking off as much of the excess chocolate as you can and place on wax or parchment paper. Once finished placing all the almonds on the tray, place tray in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes for the chocolate to harden. After the chocolate has completely hardened you can put the chocolate covered curry almonds in decorated cellophane bags with holiday tags with ribbon ties or put in small holiday tins. What a smart gift to give for the holidays.

Microwave instructions for melting chocolate: Place chocolate in a large microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 second intervals stirring after each 20 seconds until the chocolate is completely melted.

September 2007 Tip - Pumpkin Carving Party

Pumpkin Carving Party

If you have been keeping up with our blog and visited our tip pages from last year at this time, you will know that Halloween is our favorite holiday and one tip will just not do, and that is why we will have two! This year we will start out with a few ideas for a pumpkin carving party including a recipe for roasted curry pumpkin seeds. If you missed out on last year's Halloween tips, please visit our 2006 Tip Archives:

Simple suggestions for a Pumpkin Carving Party

Supplies: Plenty of old newspapers, pumpkin carving kits, they can be found at your local craft, discount, or grocery stores, additional black crayons for tracing designs, carving stencils, here are a few sites where you can print ones out for free: Pumpkin Lady, Pumpkin Wizard, and Hershey's Trick or Treats (if you don't find what you are looking for on these sites, do a Google search on pumpkin carving stencils and several more sites will come up), a couple of sharp carving knives (adult supervision only), large spoons or ice-cream scoops to remove the insides of the pumpkins, and tealights if you plan on lighting your pumpkins once carved. Also, even if your party is a BYOP (bring your own pumpkin), I would recommend you have a few extra on-hand in case there is a tragic pumpkin-carving incident. Here is another site that is a great source for pumpkin carving tips, Pumpkin Carving 101.

Snacks: Spice cookies, apple muffins or pumpkin bread, curry roasted pumpkin seeds, and hot or cold cider. If having a meal, a nice choice is a soup, such as a vegetable stew or chili that you can have simmering away in your slow cooker.

Entertainment: Story telling, you can tell the Irish folktale of Jack O Lantern, the history of pumpkin carving, or have everyone share their favorite Halloween memory or spooky story. You can also have a contest for the most original pumpkin, the most creatively designed pumpkin, scariest pumpkin and funniest pumpkin. For prizes you can give away Halloween buttons or Halloween magnets. Another fun party note - monstrous music.

Party Favors: Get small clear cellophane bags or Halloween decorated bags, fill with the roasted curry pumpkin seeds, and tie up the bags with fiendishly festive Halloween tags. You can also handout Boo Cards.

Invitations: You can find Pumpkin Carving Party invitations on our entertaining page along with matching place cards and coordinating disposable paper drink charms.

Roasted Curry Pumpkin Seeds

You will need:

2 cups of pumpkin seeds
5 teaspoons of butter, melted
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of curry powder

In a large bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with butter and rice vinegar. Then in a smaller bowl combine the sugar, salt, and curry powder; sprinkle over seeds and toss to coat. Next line a 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan with foil; coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Spread seeds in pan and bake at 250 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until seeds are dry and lightly browned, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container. Yields 2 cups.

June 2007 Tip - Grilled Pizza

Instead of your typical burgers, hotdogs, or steaks, try something new this year for your backyard cookout, grilled pizza. You can add this tasty alternative to your already planned event theme, or build your party around the Italian cuisine with red checkered table wares, Chianti bottles with candles, and a little Dino playing in the background...now that’s amoré.

Below you will find a basic recipe for pizza dough for your grilled pizza followed by suggested toppings along with some ideas for appetizers and desserts.

Basic Pizza Dough Recipe

You will need:

1 package active dry yeast
1 3/4 cups flour, plus additional for kneading
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt

Whisk together the yeast, warm water, sugar and olive oil and let sit for about 3 minutes to fully dissolve and activate the yeast. Meanwhile, combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Then once the yeast has fully dissolved, gradually mix the yeast mixture into the flour mixture to where the dough barely holds together. Next, turn the dough out onto a clean surface dusted with flour. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth. Shape dough into a ball and place in a large mixing bowl that has been

lightly greased with olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise until it has doubled in size, about 1 to 2 hours

Once doubled, punch the dough down and divide into 2 equal pieces. With your hands stretch each piece of dough into an oval or round shape, about 1/3 inch thick, and then lightly brush both sides of the dough with olive oil and place on a hot grill. Grill until lightly charred and the dough begins to puff up, about 2 to 4 minutes. Flip dough and grill on the second side until charred and just cooked, about 2 minutes. Then you will put on your selected toppings, place pizza back on the grill and close the cover until the cheese has melted, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Suggested Pizza Toppings:
Marinated artichoke hearts
Sliced eggplant
Sliced plum tomatoes
Red or yellow bell peppers
Thinly sliced red onion
Roasted garlic cloves
Basil leaves
Oregano leaves
Pitted black olives (or pitted kalamata olives)
Capers
Pineapple
Grilled Chicken
Grilled Sausage
Fresh mozzarella cheese
Provolone cheese
Fontina cheese
Parmesan cheese

Topping Tips:
Eggplant Grilled Pizza - Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and season with pepper. Place on grill and cook the eggplant until brown on the first side, about 3 minutes. Move them away from the direct heat, turn and cook the other side until tender, about 10 minutes total. Next you will grill your already prepared pizza dough (see pizza dough recipe and grilling instructions above). Right after you take your cooked pizza dough off the grill, scatter each with garlic, oregano, eggplant, olives and cheese. Put pizzas back on the grill and cook until the cheese has melted. Spritz lightly with vinegar and serve immediately.

Tomato, Artichoke, and Basil Grilled Pizza - Combine together tomatoes, basil, artichokes, and just enough of the artichoke marinade to coat the mixture. Toss gently. Next you will grill your already prepared pizza dough (see pizza dough recipe and grilling instructions above). Right after you take your cooked pizza dough off the grill scatter the tomato mix over the pizzas. Top with more basil, cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Suggested Appetizer:
Grilled Garlic Butter Flat Bread - In a small bowl, beat 1/2 cup of butter and blend in 1 or 2 cloves of crushed and minced garlic. Then prepare basic pizza dough recipe listed about. Stretch the pizza dough lengthwise into long ovals. Place dough on the grill for about 3 minutes and then turn over and continue to grill until dough is fully cooked. Remove from grill and brush on the butter mixture. Slice into triangles and serve. Optional: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.

Suggested Beverages:
Lemonade
Mint Tea
Chilled Rosé
Chianti
White Sangria

Dessert: Grilled Fruit Pizza

You will need:

Pizza dough (see recipe above)
2 tablespoons of sugar
3 tablespoons of honey
8 ounces goat cheese
2-3 cups of mix berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Fresh mint leaves for garnishing

In a medium bowl, gently mix together the berries and sugar until fruit is evenly coated. Combine the goat cheese and the 3 tablespoons of honey in a small bowl and mash with a fork until mixture is smooth. Roll out your pizza dough into 2 round discs. Cook one-side of the dough on the grill for about 3 minutes and remove placing cooked side up. Spread the goat cheese mixture over the pizzas and then top with the berries. Transfer the pizzas back to the grill, cover and cook until golden brown for about another 3 minutes. Serve with a couple of mint leaves as garnish. Optional: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top before serving or sever with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

See last year's summer tip for a non-grilled fruit pizza recipe served cold.

April 2007 Tip - Tea Party Ideas and Recipes

Tea Party Ideas and Recipes

This month's tip is on hosting a tea party. Almost any time of the year and occasion is a perfect time for tea. You can host a tea party for birthdays, holidays, showers, Mother's Day, book clubs, or just because. You can also incorporate other themes such as a hat party, cookie party, scone/pastry party, or bring your own teacup party. For those of you who love to create, you can add a twist such as make your own hat party, decorate your teacup party, or a tea journaling party. Below we provide a few decorating ideas, elaborate on a few of the above themes, list some great tea resources to find exotic teas, tea accessories and recipes, as well as providing a basic recipe for scones....is that one sugar or two?

Time for Tea Party Basic Decorations and Party Favors

Let's start with teacups, a basic, but pretty important item for a tea party. If you are having a big informal affair, then paper may be the way to go, but for smaller intimate affairs teacups are a must. They can all be from the same china set or a whimsical variety. If you do not have any teacups and don't want your guest to have to provide their own, go to your local thrift store or flea market. The teacups don't need to match as long as they are in the same style, you can find not only some beautiful teacups, but inexpensive too. In fact, keep your eyes open as you might find a delightful teapot too.

It would be hard for me to think of any event that you could not decorate with flowers and a tea party is no exception. A beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers of the season makes a charming centerpiece, and if you can find an old china teapot to use as your vase even better. A white tablecloth, dainty tea towels and dollies all add to the ambience. Other nice touches are decorative trays, cake stands, basket for napkins and/or utensils, small glass bowls for jams, crystal or china creamers (for milk, not cream) and sugar bowls. Lemons or clove spice lemons are another wonderful condiment for tea. You can also buy teacup and teapot cookie or sandwich cutters for an even more festive presentation of your teatime goodies.

You can write out your menu on tea theme notecards or printable invitations as well as use decorative tent place cards to dress up the table or label teas, delicacies, or serving stations. If a more informal affair, you can also use disposable party coasters to help decorate your room. If you want to give party favors, you can put together a little goodie bag with some exotic tea bags, tea magnets, and bookmarks (the bookmark is especially nice if doing a tea party for a book club). Another thought is a teacup compact mirror in a velveteen pouch with a tea bag tied to the pouch.

Time for Tea Party Themes

Here are a few ideas for a tea party, but as stated above in the introduction, you can host a tea party any time during the year for almost any occasion.

Tea and Hat Party - Everyone must wear a hat or everyone must make and decorate their own paper hat. If you do an internet search on how to make paper hats you will find a plethora of sites that give basic instructions on making a paper hat. You can select the best set of instructions and reprint them on decorative notecards or printable invitations. Have folks either bring their own or be sure to have lots of craft supplies on hand such as color paper, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, tape, fabric scraps, glitter, and stencils for flowers, hearts, and, of course, teacups! This tea party is fun for showers and birthday parties too.

Tea and Cookie Party - A party where you serve nothing but tea and cookies. Have everyone on your guest list bring a batch of their favorite cookies. At the end of the tea party divide the leftover cookies into cellophane bags with a sample of different teas, and then tie up the gift bag with a nice ribbon. Hand one to all your guests to take home with them so they can later enjoy a nice hot cup of tea with some cookies.

Bring your own or decorate your own Teacup Party - You can have your guest bring their own special teacup and during tea have everyone give a story to why they chose to bring that teacup. Or they can all bring a white teacup and can decorate them at the party with dish safe paint. This again is a fun idea for showers and birthday parties. However, if you do have a decorate your own teacup party, leave the fine linens and serving trays in the closet and pantry. This would be one of those situations where paper cups and plates would be more than appropriate with fun finger foods and exotic teas.

Tea Book Club Party - If you already belong to a book club then this is a wonderful idea for one of your meetings with everyone getting together, sipping tea, munching on delightful finger foods, and discussing an intriguing book. You do not have to belong to a book club to have a tea book party. Either choose one book for everyone to discuss or choose a theme and ask each of your guest to bring their favorite book or poem on that subject and then share why they chose that certain book or poem. What to choose as your theme...how about tea? What to give as a party favor...how about a bookmark?

Journaling Tea Party - This is another fun idea to incorporate into showers or birthday tea parties, but can also be extended to all tea parties. If a shower or birthday, you can have one journal that gets past around for everyone to decorate one page and write their own message for the bride-to-be, new born, or the birthday guest of honor. You can also throw a journaling tea party where everyone brings their own journal to decorate one page based on a chosen topic to share with the group. Be sure to have craft supplies on hand and old magazines and papers for collage work or have your guest bring supplies too.

Mother's Day Tea Party - Whether an intimate affair with just mom or extended out to aunts, grandmothers, granddaughters, and cousins, a Mother's Day tea party is an enchanting way to treat that extraordinary lady. You can even host a mother daughter tea party inviting over your close friends with their mothers and daughters. As you sip tea and nibble goodies have everyone share a favorite childhood memory with mom or this is another opportunity to create a cherished journal by having everyone write a special message, memory or decorate a page for mom. You can also add some fun by combining this tea party with the tea and hat party. This is just a wonderful way to celebrate and honor mom on her special day.

Time for Tea Party Resources

Bonjour Gourmet - Your one-stop online tea resource. They offer several gourmet and organic varieties of tea including St. Dalfour, Yogi, Teas of India, Stash Tea, Teas of Japan & China, Exotica Tea, Chanakara Teas, and World-Class Loose Teas. They also offer many tea accessories such as the perfect tea spoon, tea strainers, mesh tea infuser spoons, the u-handled honey spoon, teapots and presses, teapot cookie cutters, and make your own T-Sacs. They even have honey and agave nectar sticks that sweeten teas with just a pinch and squeeze.

All Us All the Time - A place for whimsical and unique fill-in party invitations. They also have cute tea theme notecards or printable invitations that can be used for menu writing or for crafting instructions as well as decorative tent place cards for your table. You can also find adorable tea theme party favors such as magnets, buttons, compact mirrors, bookmarks and journals.

Colorado Cravings Cookbook by Gail Riley - Has a wonderful section on a High Altitude Tea Party Colorado style with lots of delicious recipes such as Buff Orpington Chive Egg Salad Sandwiches, Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Trout Pate, and Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones.

The Twelve Teas of Christmas by Emilie Barnes - A delightful book overflowing with tea party ideas and decorating tips for the Christmas holiday as well as scrumptious and easy recipes for Sweet Tea Spread on Brown Bread, Cucumber Sandwiches, Cream Cheese, Celery and Walnut Sandwiches, and good old Sugar Cookies.

Tea Time, Tradition, Presentation, and Recipes by M. Dalton King - A small little book overloaded with presentation tips, history of tea, and simple recipes such as Smoked Salmon Sandwiches, Ham Salad Sandwiches, Cranberry Nut Bread, and Chocolate Crinkles.

Time for Tea Party Basic Scones Recipe

You will need:

1/3 cup margarine or butter
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 egg beaten for batter (can use egg substitute)
4 to 6 tablespoons of milk (can substitute skim milk or half and half)
1 egg beaten to brush dough (can use egg substitute)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together in a bowl, the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the margarine or butter into this mixture with a pastry blender until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in 1 egg and just enough milk so the dough leaves the side of the bowl. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times, then roll or pat 1/2 inch thick. Cut into diamond shapes with a sharp knife and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet; brush the scones with 1 beaten egg. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and let cool. Serve with butter and preserves or honey if desired and of course, tea. Makes 15 scones.

Alternatives: You can also add either a 1/2 cup of currants, raisins, blueberries, or cranberries when mixing in the egg and milk.

February 2007 Tip - Strawberries Ducale Recipe

Strawberries Ducale Recipe

I hope everyone's New Year is starting out spectacular and only gets better through out the year. As we start out a new year of tips for decorating, party ideas, craft projects and recipes, let us not forget about those tips from 2006. If you are looking for recipes for Swedish pancakes, fruit pizza, home-made ice cream, watermelon soup, Spanish rice, pumpkin pie, whole-wheat pie crust, snoball cookies, and party and decorating ideas, be sure to visit our tip 2006 archives, see the directory above.

We are starting off the 2007 year with a sweet treat in honor of Valentine's Day which is right around the corner. Strawberries Ducale is a luscious dessert that can be shared romantically by two or joyously with a group of friends. If you are planning a party for Valentine's Day come visit our entertaining page full of Valentine fill-in or printable invitations, place cards, disposable party coasters and drink charms, or looking for Valentine stationery and gift tags visit our seasonal page for a whimsical selection of hearts, kitties, and Valentine pirate skull. Meanwhile enjoy this recipe for Strawberries Ducale, which is quite simply fresh strawberries with 5 small bowls of delicious chocolate, creams, sugar and liqueur to dip them in.

Strawberries Ducale Recipe

You will need:

12 fresh large ripe strawberries, washed, left whole, top stem removed
2 oz powdered sugar
2 oz sour cream
2 oz whipped cream (whipped and fluffy)
1.5 oz Gran Marnier
Chocolate Ganache:
- 2.5 oz dark semi sweet chocolate, chopped fine
- 1.5 oz heavy whipping cream
Five 2 oz china or glass ramekin bowls

Place Gran Marnier, sugar, sour cream and whipped cream each in a separate china or glass bowl. Prepare chocolate ganache as follows: Heat to boiling a couple inches of water in a small pot. Heat heavy whipping cream in a plastic or glass measuring cup in microwave just long enough to make it rise as it heats, about 10-25 seconds. Then place the finely chopped chocolate in a mixing bowl over hot water and add warm cream, mixing well with a whisk. Once chocolate has melted remove from heat immediately. Place the chocolate ganache in the remaining china or glass ramekin bowl and serve with the other 4 bowls of creams, sugar, and liqueur for dipping the strawberries. A very simple and elegant dessert that is easy to make and will earn you rave reviews from your Valentine and friends.

Note: If you are in a rush, chocolate syrup heated in the microwave will work too, but not quite as luscious as the chocolate ganache.

Bonappetit and Happy Valentine's Day!


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