For Your Valentine

Do you know why Valentine's Day is synonymous with roses and chocolate? Uh, I don't know about roses but I do know the Aztec's believed chocolate "was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power". I guess that takes care of that doesn't it!

If you're looking to increase your vitality or that of your significant other, you might want to take a few of these ideas into consideration for the special day of love coming up on Monday.
For instance try this Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie. The big guy much prefers pie over cake and this one is rich, creamy, definitely chocolaty and was a big hit as his birthday dessert last year.

Of course, if cake's your thing, do what I did in December and pipe the cream filling over a thin layer of chocolate cake in individual foil cups. The flavor's almost the same and they're rather easy to eat all toadied up in their own little package. They were pretty darn popular at our Christmas party too.

If you aren't interested in either cake or pie, the filling's just lovely on its own in a large bowl. I mean what's more romantic than a mousse with two spoons?

 

Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie (from JBug’s Kitchen)

Chocolate Crumb Crust: Preheat oven to 350

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

 Mix together ingredients until well combined. Press into a 9” pie plate. Bake in 350 oven for 8 minutes. Cool completely.

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon butter

Melt chocolate chips and butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well, then coat bottom of cooled crust with an even layer of chocolate. Cool in refrigerator to harden.

Chocolate Cream Filling:

1-1/2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tablespoons corn starch

1 egg

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup whipping cream, whipped

1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries

In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup milk until hot. In medium sized bowl whisk together sugar, cocoa powder and corn starch. Slowly add 1/2 cup cold milk. Whisk until well combined. Whisk in egg. Gradually pour hot milk into mixture, whisking well to combine. Transfer contents of bowl back into saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking often for about 10 minutes or until thickened to a pudding consistency. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Transfer to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on top of pudding to keep it from forming a skin. Refrigerate until cool.

Beat cream until it reaches stiff peaks. Fold gently into cool pudding mixture.  Arrange raspberries on top of chocolate covered graham crust. Spoon filling on top. Refrigerate until set (at least 2 hours or up to 1 day in advance).

Chocolate Ganache

6 ounces dark chocolate, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon sugar

Place chocolate into a small bowl. Heat cream, butter and sugar in microwave until boiling. Pour over chocolate in a bowl, cover immediately with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove cover, and stir well to make sure chocolate is evenly melted. Set aside to cool in refrigerator until almost hardened.  When almost hardened, beat with an electric mixer until light, fluffy and smooth (about 3 minutes). Spoon into piping bag and decorate top of pie as you wish. Download Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie

 

 

 

Comments

[Mary]

What a glorious creation. It really sounds fabulous and looks delicious. It is a perfect special occasion dish. I can't wait to give it a try. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

[pam]

This looks amazing!

[Nanan]

You had me at chocolate - then you threw in graham crackers and raspberries!!!!! OMG - heaven!

[June]

Hey all - believe me, try it and you'll love it. It is really special!