February – The Month for Lovers, Hearts, Chocolates and Flowers

February is a good pick-me-up month to follow January, which can sometimes be a low time for us after the excitement of the holidays. So, let’s get to the kitchen and make something chocolate and ravishing, well sort of ravishing – it’s chocolate and easy.

Chocolate Shortbread

1 cup flour (unsifted)
½ cup butter
½ cup powder sugar or ¼ cup super fine sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup cocoa powder

Preheat oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream the butter, add sugar and vanilla until well blended, sift in flour and cocoa until the mixture forms into soft dough.

Cut the dough in half and shape it into two rounds. With your thumb and finger, pinch the dough around the edge and prick all over with a fork. The pattern should resemble the bottom of a petticoat. If you would rather shape the shortbread it into hearts, go for it!

Bake for 30–35 minutes on a cookie sheet. Lightly score the shortbread into wedge slices. Remove from oven. While it’s still warm, completely cut the shortbread into wedges. Let it cool and serve.

There are so many different variations of Scottish shortbread and petticoat tails are just another version of this delicious butter cookie. Petticoat tails originated in Edinburgh around 1560 when Mary Queen of Scots arrived back from France. Her French chefs modified the traditional Scottish recipe for shortbread and produced small thin cakes called “petites gatelles” (little cakes), which later became known as petticoat tails. Although, some believe that the origin of the name came from its shape as the cakes resembled the petticoat hoops worn by the ladies in old Scottish Court. Either way, they are delicious. Yum!

Not all of us have that special someone in our lives, so I think it’s time to be nice to ourselves. Now that the shortbread is ready, sit down, pour yourself a glass of red wine and enjoy your chocolate shortbread. Tomorrow buy yourself some flowers, and don’t forget to take a quick peak at Lavinia’s new lingerie. The brown lingerie is very appealing too.
It might just be what the doctor ordered.

Love is in the air. Love is everywhere!

Enjoy the moment, enjoy the month.