Chocolate....

[rowangolightly]

Wanna make this soon; came from the McCormack site, but of course, I'll use Penzey's spices, thankyewverymuch!

Easy Spiced Cabernet Chocolate Molten Cakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 tablespoon Cabernet Sauvignon or other red wine
1 teaspoon Penzey's double vanilla extract
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon Penzey's cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Penzey's ginger, ground
1/8 teaspoon Penzey's cloves, ground (optional)

This one looked good too:



Smoky Sausage & Peppers with Apple

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 sweet white onion, cut into thin wedges (1 cup)
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips (1 cup)
1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Paprika, Smoked
1 package (13 ounces) apple chicken sausage, cut diagonally in 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup thinly sliced peeled apples
1 cup apple cider
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Thyme Leaves
1/8 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection™ Red Pepper, Ground Cayenne


Directions:
1. Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onions and bell pepper; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add paprika; cook and stir 1 minute.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve over rice, if desired.

Test Kitchen Tip: Use 1 package (16 ounces) precooked smoked sausage or kielbasa in place of the apple chicken sausage.

(Snarky note; I'm amused by the way they capitalize everything to make it look more snazzy. Betcha they charge twice as much for the "Gourmet Collection" as they do for their regular sawdust, er, spices that are so much poorer quality than Penzey's!

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

2. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in wine, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and yolk. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour batter evenly into prepared custard cups.

3. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute. Carefully loosen edges with small knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately.

Make Ahead: The chocolate mixture can be prepared up to 10 hours ahead of time. Pour the batter into prepared custard cups; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Comments

[ladybarnard.livejournal.com]

Hmm...that sausage one looks like it could be diet-friendly. I'd be inclined to use a combo of fat-free chicken broth and oil...cutting the oil to about 2 teaspoons. And of course, Penzey's spices. I've asked for a Penzey's gift certificate for Christmas!!!

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea. And yes, Penzey's gift certificate is how I got started...when I was new here and Bruce's girls had no idea what to get me!

[marence.livejournal.com]

That's almost exactly my molten chocolate cakes - except use good cocoa instead of flour, and sub whatever's on hand for the wine. And use my fresh-ground allspice/cloves/nutmeg with a lot more cinnamon.
But what are Penzey's spices? And (Googles quickly) is it worth a 45 minute drive crosstown to find out?

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

That's a definite YES that Penzey's are (is?) worth a 45 minute drive crosstown. Once you discover it, you'll never go back. Do yourself a favor and get one of their cinnamons then compare it to your regular store cinnamon....

You're lucky that you have a store that close; I do all of my shopping via catalog because there isn't one in all of OK. The one in the KC area opened just as I was leaving there for her, doggonit, but I stop in there when ever I get the chance when I'm up visiting in Kansas City.

[bessofhardwick.livejournal.com]

I put on 5 pounds just reading this post. Then ladybarnard posted, and I put on 5 more.

Sighs.

And smiles.

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

*LOL*

Ain't it grant that we really can't put on weight from just reading the recipes?

*hugs*