River and Sage ran fevers all day today. I ran ragged.
Tonight called for self-medicating in the form of chocolate.
While making the Cup o Choco,
I realized that so much of what I was using,
I was given by someone.
And not just given, but really thoughtfully given...
Rainbow wisk from Libby.
I coveted the one in her kitchen just loudly enough that she gave me my very own!
World Market ramekins from Cecilia.
She searched high and low for these gorgeous babes.
The recipe is from Charlene.
She made it when she served us an amazing brunch at her house last time we were in KC. I've made it several times since, and its basically fool-proof.
The pan I baked them in was from Pam for Christmas.
My KitchenAid mixer was from Grandma Myrta as a wedding gift.
The flour came from the kind Cargill folks at the museum on Saturday.
The coffee Ryan brewed for me this morning before he left for work.
Heck, even the stove Mom and Dad threw in when we bought the house.
I don't "parent my kids with scripture". Ever.
(breathe...step down from the soap box...breathe again...)
But I do often say to them "If we give, we must be generous." We've talked about how much we're given every single day by God and people and nature and just all of life. And what a treat it is to give, and to give freely. So I do remind them often that generosity is a natural overflow of what we're given.
Stopping and taking stock, though, of how generously I've been treated....its humbling.
Ok, here's the recipe:
(Think brownie batter, only smoother. Yes...its that yum.)
1 1/4 c. sugar, divided
1/2 c. baking cocoa
2 Tbsp. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. water
heaping 3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. brewed coffee
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 egg white
In your KitchenAid, combine the eggs and egg white and let it go to town whisking them together while you do the rest.
In a saucepan, combine 3/4 c. sugar, cocoa, flour, and salt. Stir in the water. Whisk it while bringing it to a boil. Let it boil, while whisking, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips, coffee, and vanilla.
Back to the eggs....gradually add the remaining 1/2 c. sugar. Let it whisk for another 3 minutes or so.
Fold together the chocolate mixture and the egg mixture.
Put into 6 ramekins, coated with cooking spray. Mine are 6 oz. If yours are 4 oz., you could get 8 or 10 out of it. Place in a baking pan with a rim. Add 1 inch of water to the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or just until the centers are set.
Speaking of gifts, I guess this is my present to myself for tomorrow morning.
Oh well, it was worth it.
And this is just for fun. I have no idea what they're playing....
