Feb 13 2008
Happy Valentine’s Day
It’s February – out with the January blues and in with reds Hearts Chocolates, fudge and roses, wine and red lingerie. The month for romance and chocolate lovers.
I love February. It’s not just a month for lovers, it’s a time to be nice to yourself. Don’t wait for someone to buy you flowers, when you are passing the flowers stand or in the market buy yourself some flowers, put them on your desk at work or in your kitchen, it’s a great pick me up. A drop of bleach in the vase will keep your roses fresh a little longer.
Here are a few helpful hints:
If you are planning a meal for that special someone and you don’t want an unpleasant odor in the room, simmer a small pan of vinegar, or add vinegar in the water. If its fish make sure you wash the cooking implements with vinegar.
If you light candles and the wax gets on a wood surface, you can soften it with a hairdryer. Once softened, remove the wax with a paper towel and wash with vinegar and water. If the wax gets on your linen, remove as much as you can with a butter knife and place fabric between two blotters, such as a paper towel or napkin and press it with a warm iron. If the color from the candle stains the fabric, try some dry cleaning solvent and wash immediately.
If you spill red wine on your linen, you can pour some white wine over the stain immediately or later. You can also make a paste of baking soda and water and leave on to absorbed, while spraying with a little water intermediately.
I am concluding my note with a chocolate lover’ delight – my favorite recipe for rich fudge brownies:
Brownies:
4 eggs
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of butter (2 sticks of butter)
4 squares of unsweetened chocolate
1 cup of flour
Fudge Topping:
2 cups of sugar
1/3 cup of butter
1 can of condensed milk (12oz)
1 cup (8oz) semisweet special dark chocolate chips
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, prepare a 13×9 inch pan, buttering pan thoroughly. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan, let cool, and gently fold into egg and sugar mixture. Slowly add flour, mixing thoroughly. Pour into pan and bake for 25 mins, do not over bake as brownie should remain moist. In a separate pan, melt your butter slowly adding sugar and condensed milk stirring constantly over low heat for about 5 mins ,add chocolate chips mix thoroughly and beat until smooth, it should be a nice smooth consistency and not thick. Remove from heat pouring (should pour easily) over the brownie immediately. Time the cake to come out of the oven just seconds before the fudge mix is done. Allow to cool. Put in the freezer to set. Cut into one inch squares and enjoy!
Remember … if you are one egg shy for a recipe, substitute I teaspoon of cornstarch.
Don’t forget to check out our website at LaviniaLingerie.com for that someone special you!
Amore!
