They say it's your birthday...

That is, according to that famous Beatles song.  Today happens to be mine, and yes, and I still have five minutes to go until it's officially past (or, at least I did when I started writing this!).  The nice thing, though, is that my birthday always carries on throughout the rest of the week, due to belated well-wishings and tardy presents.  We call these "extended birthdays" in my house, and I happen to enjoy receiving unexpected greetings and such just when I thought everyone was done giving them.

Today's special dinner menu included Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Linguine, sautéed greens, a lettuce and herb salad, and a superb bottle of Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles.  Oh, and let's not leave out one of my favourite desserts: Tiramisu!

More on that tomorrow, since there is something else that I've been bursting (pun fully intended) to share with you all:

Introducing "Wicked Good Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cups" from Bakerella!

One of my brothers eagerly showed the recipe to me after seeing these the other day (ha, I know it's just because he was hoping I would make some...).  Clever idea, no (though, I must admit I'm a tad worried about the finished products tasting like Latex... Gag!)?  I love that Bakerella involves her children in the process.  Gosh, it really saddens me that my niece and nephews aren't nearer, or they'd definitely be in on the party!

'Don't have your own munchkins yet?  Then take this opportunity to bless one of your friends who is a busy mama by offering to borrow hers for the afternoon.  Balloons + chocolate + ice cream & sprinkles + playing in the kitchen with little people sounds like a good deal of fun and laughs to me!

Oh, and speaking of sweet Bakerella (A.K.A. Angie Dudley); please be praying for her, as she is desperately in need of a kidney transplant.

What are your thoughts on these unique pudding cups?  Will you be making some, or does the very idea turn you off?  Can you think of a better shape/tool to make the chocolate bowls with than a balloon?

Well, I'm off to sweet dreams (which will—funnily enough—probably be chocolate or sugar-related)... Goodnight!

The Case of the Mysteriously Vanishing Cookies

Tonight's entry may have been heavily influenced by the Miss Marple mystery I watched earlier; or perhaps, it could really be legitimate.  Either way, I bring you a most curious dilemma.  You see, I've made these treats twice in the last two weeks (in a double batch, even!), and every time, they end up disappearing.  Poof!

The only solution is to make them for yourselves and find out what happens.  Oh, and report back to me, if you please, as confirmation that I'm not imagining things.  (That would be a most welcomed relief...)

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies


Yields: 16 cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup brown sugar 
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg, beaten 
• 1 cup peanut butter (either crunchy or creamy will do)
• 1 cup chocolate chips

MY ADD-INS: 

• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together, and drop in one-inch spoonfulls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.  Cool on cookie sheets for 3-5 minutes, and then serve. 

 

 
Peanut butter + chocolate?  A heavenly combination, indeed.

Valentine's Day decadence

Here is an easily-put together dessert that is as healthy as it is supremely satisfying.  Best of both worlds, don't you think?

Oh, and I neglected to add a final optional step!  If you're feeling extra fancy, melt a tad more chocolate (say, a darker brown or white) to drizzle over the tops of the chilled/already-dipped strawberries.  They will look like this (don't click unless you can handle all the chocolate-y goodness -- I'm on overload right now!).

Now, I am a devoted brown chocolate lover (the darker, the better, in my book), but if white chocolate's your thing...

For similar Valentine's-themed recipes, have a look at these for inspiration:

♥ Bon Appétit's Valentine's Featurette

♥ Epicurious' Valentine's Menu

♥ Food Network's Valentine's Featurette

♥ How adorable are Jamie Oliver and his wife, Jools?

(GF scrumptiousness below, but check these out even if you're not avoiding gluten)

♥  Elana's Pantry Gluten Free Valentine's Day Desserts 

♥  Ginger Lemon Girl's Gluten Free Valentine's Day Recipes 

♥ Gluten Freeda's Valentine's Desserts 

In other news (though it ties in with the recipe above), I recently concocted a Mexican hot chocolate drink (which undoubtedly needs perfecting, so if you have any tips or happen to be from down South...).  Can you imagine my delight when I came across Sippity Sup's Chile Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries?  That's right, amigos... CHILES.  This spicy twist just may have awakened a dangerous trend in my kitchen (and my heart)...