Aaaaw… February, the month of love and chocolate! Well, I guess I will be buying chocolate.
Before I get into February, I want to tell you my January adventure of being a “vagablonde”. I flew into Las Vegas (I haven’t been there for over forty years) and went to see my old friend Marcia Boubon and her two grown kids that went to school with my kids. Scott, I heard some new stories to share with you! I visited the Bellagio and Caesars Palace, I was very impressed. I lost $2.00 in the machine…
Left for Lake Havasu, and met with friends Donelle & Gregg. We ran into the Strukel’s from Side Lake at the first bar we hit! I didn’t know that Johns nickname was Apple, (apple strudel) only on the Iron Range! The next morning Marcia drove home and Donelle and Gregg drove me to the Sundance RV Park by Parker Arizona where friends Brian and Rachel are living in a motor-coach. I had four nights at the Bluewater Casino, which is about 15 minutes away from Brian and Rachel’s place.
Everyday was an adventure going to the Desert Bar (an outpost in “nowheresville”, on an awful dirt road), where you are looked at in awe if you have been there before, ha!
Trying to impress the Grandchildren, this Grandma went “razoring” in the desert! That didn’t work so well, just sayin…
A razor is a very expensive four wheeler that seats 4 and has Bose speakers, a/c, etc… Maybe I’m exaggerating a little. I’m wearing a white jacket (dress for success) and off we went! We crossed the highway and headed to the dunes! They looked like mountains to me, so I kept my eyes closed. I had forgotten that I don’t like heights and I don’t even like ferris wheels. I thought I was going to race across the flat desert like Lawrence of Arabia. NO! Brian goes straight up in the air and tells me the machine is so heavy it can’t flip! We stop at the top of the mountain (Rockies?) and Brian tells me to come over and sit in the drivers seat for a picture, I said, “Brian, if I step out of this machine, my foot would go down a 1000 ft. embankment”. Well, my expensive adventure lasted six minutes with my eyes closed and I loved every minute of my adventure and thank everyone for being so nice to me!
Now for February and Chocolate!
Kooking with a Kook! (yes, that’s me…)
The Aztecs and Mayans were the first to recognize the potency of chocolate, celebrating the harvest of the cacao bean with festivals of wild orgies. (Okay, let’s not go that far.) The Aztec ruler, Montezuma, reportedly drank 50 cups of chocolate each day to better serve his harem of 600 women. Obviously a tried-and-true staple for lovers, chocolate now has backing from the scientific community. Besides the jolt of caffeine served up in a piece of cholcolate, this candy also contains PEA, or phenylethylamine, the very same molecule that courses through the veins of one who is in love. So, let’s hear it for chocolate and love!
Here’s 2 Loved Chocolate Recipes for y’all
Recipe #1 Chocolate-Stuffed Crescent Rolls
2 oz bittersweet chocolate
1 (4-count) package crescent rolls
1 egg yolk
1 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp sugar
Cut chocolate into 4 pieces (about 3″ long. Unfold the crescent rolls
Place 1 piece of chocolate at the wide end of each piece of crescent roll dough and roll up. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Mix the egg yolk, milk and sugar in a small bowl. Brush on the rolls, then bake according to the package directions. Cool for 15 minutes before eating.
Recipe #2 – Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles
4 oz bittersweet chocolate
3 – 1/2 oz almond paste
1 Tbsp strong hot coffee
1 Tbsp hazelnut liqueur
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
Chop the chocolate in a food processor until finely ground. Add the almond paste and process until smooth. With the motor running add the coffee and liqueur. Process until the mixture forms a soft ball. Roll mixture into 3/4″ balls. Sprinkle with the cocoa powder. Place the ball in small paper cups and chill.
Enjoy these recipes and have a great valentines day! Even if you are alone, be grateful for everything you have including life.
When you are downtown Hibbing, MN, you must check out Johnson’s Floral. They have great gift ideas and wow, the Turtles are awesome!
That is a lot of information so until next month, keep smiling.
Mona Meittunen Abel
Recipe Diva / Former Go-Go Dancer
