Calling All Chocoholics!

"My beloved is mine, and I am his" Song 2:16


Happy early Valentine's Day to you all! Ah, L' Amour, who would we be without it?! Love is what makes the world spin on its axis, (ok, I know, not really!). But, it is what has helped to shape our world and society. Where would we be without all the famous love stories? If you know me, you are probably snickering right now. Seriously, us woman thrive on love stories. Lifetime would have never been able to launch their sister channel, LMN, if it wasn't so.
Just think of all the romance novels gracing the shelves of bookstores and homes alike. I know I have my share of them, hardback, paperback and piling up gradually in my Kindle! The romance literary industry is one of the most profiting industries in the publishing world; (FYI).
Imagine growing up without knowledge of Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Paris and Helen, Lancelot and Guinevere, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, and my personal favorite, Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett.
Whether you are aware of it or not, one of these famous literary couples have to some extinct helped to shape your view of romantic love.
I can one up this! Love applies to so much more than that between a man and a woman. Our hearts love so deeply with our children, family and even special friends. But, the greatest love of all came from our Father in Heaven and that of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Christ loves each and every one of us that he gave his life, enduring unimaginable pain and torture both physically and internally. He did this just so YOU will have the opportunity to know and live for Him. I pray you do, and for those that do not yet, for open eyes, hearts and minds. He is waiting.

I must admit that we don't go all out for Valentine's Day in our house. We do have special treats for the boys and I usually cook a nice meal for us. This year, however, my husband and I must have been thinking on the same page because he got me a facial and I got him a massage! Ironically, the day I got his massage, a gift certificate came for me in the mail about the facial. We were going to surprise one another, but since I got the mail and opened it before he came home, the surprise was spoiled. So we went ahead and exchanged our gifts. I guess now all that's left is the dinner. Not sure what I will be serving, but you can bet that for dessert we will be having this incredible flourless chocolate cake! It is scrumptious! I must warn you, it is super rich but oh so worth it!




Vanilla Bean Flourless Chocolate Cake

1 vanilla bean
4 eggs, seperated
3/4 cup butter, unsalted
1 cup sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (I use Giradelli)

* Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate at 30 second intervals. Meaning, to stir every 30 seconds so you don't burn the chocolate. In a seperate bowl, scrape the vanilla bean and mix together 1/2 cup of the sugar with the four egg yolks ; add yolk mixture to chocolate and stir well.

Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then slowly add the remainder of the sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. *Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature, you should have no problems resulting in stiff peaks. Fold chocolate mixture in and pour into a 9 inch round cake pan or into individual souffle ramekins.

Bake 40 minutes , or until a toothpick comes out clean when stuck into the middle of the cake. Cool completely before serving. Great served with strawberries, raspberries, cool whip, ice cream or just a dashing of powdered sugar.