Talk Talk Talk Take Two

[Virgil Reality]

Let's start fresh.

White, dark or milk chocolate? Carob or other substitutes? Is it really true that chocolate and wine don't mix?

[Gg]

Red wine and dark chocolate are DIVINE together as a matter of fact! Let's all have some!!!! Right now!!!!

[cat]

Generally, for me milk chocolate gets my vote. Not sure if it goes as well with red wine as what dark chocolate does. Wow, Carob, I've not had that for a long time. I do like Nakd vegan Bars, they are really yummy....

www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk/store/nakd-nudie-bars/default.aspx

I do like the sound of dark chocolate and Tia Maria. Althought that could be abit too much.

[Gg]

(Dark) chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne!!!! Yeah baby!

[cat]

Is that something you have a lot of Gg? ;-)

Does sound like something that would be eaten at Wimbledon when the tennis championships are happening.

[Gg]

Only thing in my refrigerator!

[cat]

It sounds really nice! Although, given Virg's earlier post about chocolate and wine not mixing well, I can't help thinking that chocolate dipped strawberries and Champagne won't go together. Strawberries and champagne, yes definately, but not chocolate strawberries and champagne.

I could be completely wrong about this though.

[Gg]

Baby, you don't know what you're missing!

I site, as evidence, a scene in PRETTY WOMAN when Richard Gere offers Julia Roberts strawberries with her champagne. No chocolate in the scene, but, well, you get the argument!

[Gg]

AH! Another scene from a film to back me up...In UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN Sandra O and Diane Lane are eating brownies and drinking white wine... Diane's character is asked if she bakes the brownies while in the nude and she replies" never in the nude...always in a thong".

Does everybody call them "brownies" or is that an American thing? If you don't have brownies in your country, whoever reads this, I will leave you a recipe!!! Eat them with a glass of wine! Or milk...or tea...or coffee.

[cat]

I'm definately familiar with strawberries and champagne (mentioned it briefly in my last post), and yes, it does sound REALLY nice.

Loved the quote you posted from the "UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN" film. Funny! They are called Brownies over here. Thorntons make some really delicious ones. Please do post the recipe for yours though baby!

[Gg]

duh, Gg, got all caught up in it! You are right Cat, I see right there in front of my nose your admission of champagne and strawberries.

The base recipe:

(remember to wear your thong)

2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teasthingy vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup (Ghirardelli) sweet ground chocolate and cocoa
2/3 cup flour
1/4 teasthingy baking powder
1/4 teasthingy salt
1/3 cup (ghirardelli) milk chocolate chips


cream the sugar and butter, in a separate bowls mix the remaining dry ingredients the add to the sugar and butter. Mix in eggs, one at a time. When the batter is together, mix in the chocolate. You can also add peanut butter chips (not thinking of anyone in particular there, but if you LIKE Reese's Peanut Butter cups, well... )

bake until they smell irresistible and a knife comes out clean.

Pop open a bottle of Pinot and have at it.



I also make this version called "BOYFRIEND BROWNIES"
...they work every time...

spread the base brownie batter (you can leave out the chocolate chips in this manifestation) on the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish. Cover with a basic Chocolate Chip Cookie. Bake and you'll find the two matters merge and lace around each.

My basic chocolate chip "cookie" recipe is:

2 ¼ c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 c softened butter or butter flavored shortening (shortening makes them lighter)
¾ c white sugar
¾ c packed brown sugar
1 t vanilla paste
2 large eggs
2 c semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream white sugar and butter/shortening. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients. combine the two bowls and add eggs, one at a time. When the batter comes together add the chocolate chips.
Spread onto of basic brownie batter and bake. (Alteration!)

These are really good with coffee (with or without Bailey's Irish Cream) or a black tea.


If you're a beer drinker, this one is a hit:

1 cup Guiness
1 stick plus 2 T. butter
3/4 c unsweetened Cocoa (German noir is my favorite, but Italian is good too)

2 c superfine sugar
3/4 c sour cream
2 eggs
1 T vanilla paste
2 cups white flour
2 1/2 t baking soda

melt butter into the beer, whisk in coca and sugar. Combine with mixed dries. Beat sour cream and eggs and add it to batter. Cook in greased spring form. Let cook completely. I like it with spiked whipped cream. Choose your poison, but I like brandy. You can also whip together cram cheese, heavy cream, and sugar to personal taste for a frosting.

It's pretty darn lovely with Guiness -- go figure

I must sound like a very large, raving alcoholic

[cat]

LOL.....Gg, your Brownie recipe post above has been the most entertaining thing I've read within the last few days. I now have a vision of you passed out on your kitchen floor, caused with all the inbetween drinking, whilst your making your said Brownies.

[Gg]

that sounds about right...

[caz]

It has to be milk chocolate and pepsi for me!.....I don't drink, I don't like the taste!

[Gg]

milk chocolate is much better in the UK and Europe in general that in the US. From my experience!

not drinking the right things, obviously!

Ever tried a nice Moscata?

...I really need to stop sounding like an alcoholic... I'm really not


I am addicted to coffee though