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Love Thursday: Radicchio

Happy Love Thursday!  For more images and thoughts about love, click here.

Tuesday's Table: Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes

Rich, dark chocolate.  Cool crème fraîche.  The tang of sweet strawberry.  

A hot, oozing, gooey molten center.

Oh yes.  Oh yes, indeed.

This is what it looked like before I sunk my fork into its sinful little center:

And you can whip this whole thing up in about 30 minutes -- making one impressive and easy dessert.  I'll break out this recipe anytime I need something impressive in a pinch.

It was perfect for tonight's dinner (following some cheese and roasted tomatoes and bruschetta, and a little bowl of Lemony Risotto).  Happy Early Mother's Day, Mom!

Miniature Molten Chocolate Cakes

(Adapted from GOOP.com)

3 Tbsp butter, plus more for the ramekins

3 ounces, or 6 Tbsp, dark semi-sweet chocolate

2 eggs 

2 egg yolks

1 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus 2 tsps

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

5 tablespoons crème fraîche

1 tsp vanilla 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

2. Generously butter four 4-oz. ramekins.

3. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a small glass or metal bowl set over a small pot of simmering water. 

4. Take the chocolate and butter mix off the stove and let it cool a bit while you whisk together the egg, egg yolk and 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar in a separate bowl. 

5. Whisk in the melted butter and chocolate, and then the flour.

6. Fill the ramekins and bake for 8 to 9 minutes. The edges and top should be just set.

10. Meanwhile, whisk the crème fraîche together with the remaining teaspoon of confectioners’ sugar and the vanilla.

Remove the cakes from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Invert onto dessert plates and serve each with a spoonful of crème fraîche.

Friday Zen: Be Kind. Eat Good Food.

I've been feeling a little run-down lately for various reasons.  But then a good friend reminded me that while we can't control the outcome of things, we can choose to go out and have a fabulous dinner with a dear friend in the meantime!  So we did, and I instantly felt better.

Happy Friday Zen, everyone.