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Friday, March 11, 2011

Intensely Chocolate Triple Chocolate Cake w/ Hazelnuts Recipe w/ Lindt Chocolate

Back in February I was lucky enough Lindt Chocolate sponsored a Giveaway on my blog.  They sent me some Sinfully Delicious chocolate to try out and bake with.  I had some left after making a recipe for Chocolate Oblivion Torte w/ Raspberry Sauce

So I turned to my trusty cookbook, "The Cake Bible" by Rose Levy Beranbaum and decided to make the Intensely Chocolate Triple Chocolate Cake Recipe.  Let me first say this recipe is not for the non-chocolate lover!  This recipe will put any chocolate lover in a chocolate coma (in a good way!).

The recipe involved many different techniques, but was a fun experience with an awesome reward....

In order to make this cake I had to create four different recipes - one for Light Whipped Ganache, one for Moist Chocolate Genoise, one for Syrup flavored with Frangelico, and last for Chocolate sheets.

So here we go on my Super Dark Lindt Chocolate Adventure!

Ingredients for the Light Whipped Ganache:

8 ounces Lindt Bittersweet Chocolate
2 cups Heavy Cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Break the chocolate into pieces and process in a food processor until very fine.



Heat cream to the boiling point and with the motor running, pour it through the feed tube in a steady stream.  Process a few seconds until smooth.



Transfer to a large bowl of electric mixer refrigerate until cold, stirring once or twice.  Don't allow the mixture to get too cold or it will be too stiff to incorporate air.

Add the vanilla and beat the mixture just until very soft peaks form when the beater is raised.  It will continue to thicken after a few minutes at room temperature. 



**If the mixture gets overbeaten and grainy, it can be restored by remelting, chilling, and rebeating. **

Ingredients for the Moist Chocolate Genoise:

8 ounces Lindt Bittersweet Chocolate
1 cup boiling water
8 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 - 9" cake pans by greasing the bottoms and adding parchment paper over the top and again greasing and flouring the parchment paper.

In a heavy sauce pan bring the Lindt chocolate and the water to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly.



Simmer, stirring, for five minutes or until the chocolate thickens to a pudding like consistency. (It will fall from the spoon and pool slightly before disappearing.)



Cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with  the whisk beater on high speed for five minutes or until triple in volume.



Sift 1/2 the flour over the egg mixture and fold it in gently but rapidly with a large rubber spatula until some of the flour has disappeared.



Repeat with the remaining flour until all flour has disappeared.



Fold in the chocolate mixture until incorporated.



Pour immediately into the prepared pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Loosen the side of the cakes with a small metal spatula and unmold at once onto a lightly greased racks.  Reinvert to cool.





Ingredients for the Syrup flavored with Frangelico:
**Frangelico is a Hazelnut flavored liqueur**

1/4 cup + 3 Tablespoons of granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons of Frangelico

Directions:

In a small sauce pan with a tight fitting lid bring the sugar and the water to a rolling boil, stirring constantly.



Cover immediately, remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.  Transfer to a liquid measuring cup and stir in the Frangelico.



Ingredients for the Chocolate Sheets:

8 ounces of Lindt Chocolate

Directions:

Quick Temper 8 ounces of Lindt Chocolate and pour the chocolate onto six 12" long sheets of wax paper.



Cover with more wax paper and roll into thing oval sheets.



Chill briefly, until firm enough to peel off the paper.


Okay now for the grande finale..... 

Here is how to assemble the masterpiece.

First soak the Moist Chocolate Genoise with the Frangelico flavored syrup.


Place one of the Genoise on a cake plate and add 1 cup of teh Ganache on top, spread and add the other Genoise on top.


Continue to cover the cake in the rest of the Ganache and use the Chocolate Sheets to decorate the cake how ever you want.  Don't be afrid to be creative - it will look different every time you make it.


I also topped my Intensely Chocolate Triple Chocolate Cake with chopped Hazelnuts that I purchase from Pears Gourmet to add an extra crunch.

ENJOY!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap - I joined!!!

I am so excited to be part of another Mamarazzi's swap.  How cool a Favorite Things Swap.  This is going to be sooooo awesome.  Thanks Mamarazzi.


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Sunday, March 6, 2011

Lots to be Happy for this week on my List.



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I have A LOT to be happy for this past week.  First of All is my New Blog Design!!!  I love it!!!!!!  Thank you so much Samantha's Day. You did an awesome job!  It was like having Christmas all over again.

And I have joined up with a new Blog Swap thanks to Happiness is a journey for Janna. I received my confirmation email today - this is going to be sooo much fun.  I love swaps!

springswap

I actually have two giveaways going on at the same time!  That is so exciting for me as I am newer to the giveaways and I am have having a ball.  If you haven't already entered here they are again
Ricky & Lucy's Italian Seasoning  and Purex Softener

Plus, I just found out my parents are coming out to spend Easter with us!  Now the count down to Easter, How many more days???

What's on your Happy List?  Link up today.

Giveaway / Review Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse Italian Seasoning - Organic and Italian Red Sauce Recipe with Artichoke Heart Pasta

I am so excited to be doing a review and giveaway for a local Nebraska Business called Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse in Sidney, NE. They were kind enough to provide me with a jar of their Famous Italian Seasoning and a beautiful package of Artichoke Hearts Linguine  (DeCio Pasta).  So, I could try a few of their products out and share with all my followers what I thought.



First of all, I want to share how excited I was and still am when I found Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse online.   They opened in 2003 and specialize in Organic Herbs, Cleaning Products, and a Line of Bath and Body Products. 

Their Herbs are hand planted, picked and bottled in a loving manner.  I can testify you can SMELL and TASTE the difference in how these Herbs are taken care of from Birth to Market.  They have over 70 blends to choose from - so trust me you won't have a problem finding the perfect one or more to fit your needs.

The Herbs are grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, making them 100% vigorous for your well being.

I used Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse Italian Seasoning to make my Homemade Italian Red Sauce.



Thanks to Giada De Laurentiis' cookbook "everyday italian" - I have come up with my own rendition of a recipe that Giada calls Marinara sauce.  I love the fact it is packed with veggies for my boys and tastes awesome.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2  28oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 28oz can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse Italian Seasoning
2 dried bay leaves

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large box over medium heat.



Add onions and cook until the onions are clear, about 10 minutes.



Add the garlic, celery and carrots to the onions. Cook until all the veggies are soft, about 10 minutes.


Add the tomatoes, Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse Italian Seasoning, and bay leaves. Simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, approximately 1 hour.




Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.


I sometimes add sausage or pork to the simmering sauce to add more flavor and the flavorful meat can be served on the side with the pasta.
 
I am delighted at the difference Ricky and Lucy's Italian Seasoning made to my sauce - It really made it come to life!  I can't image making my sauce without it again. 
 

 
And the Artichoke pasta - it was out of this world - with a garlic background, and a hint of cayenne to finish this pasta.  It had the perfect texture and the color was beautiful.
 
 


I also make 3 or 4 batches at a time and freeze them in portions - so I always have homemade red sauce on hand.

Now on to the Giveaway--------

ONE Qualified person will win there own bottle of Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse Italian Seasoning.  A $7.50 value.

Giveaway is Open to US residents only age 18 or over. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to be eligible. This giveaway will close on March 14, 2011 at 11:59pm MST Time. Please leave a separate comment with email for each entry that you complete.

Mandatory Entry - Please go over to Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse's website and look around. Come back here to Fishful Thinking and let me know what product you would love to try or have tried!

Bonus Entries:

Follow Fishful Thinking Blog on Google Connect (one the right side of my blog).

Follow Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse on Facebook.

Leave on Message on Facebook that Fishful Thinking sent you and which product you would like to try.

Follow Fishful Thinking on Twitter.

Follow @RickyandLucysGH on Twitter.

Join Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse List via Facebook to review great monthly newsletters.

Check out Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse's Blog - and tell me which post you liked best.

Write up your own post about this giveaway along with live links to Fishful Thinking Blog and to Ricky & Lucy's Country Greenhouse and post it on your blog (leave link).

Enter to win Fishful Thinking's Purex Giveaway.

Tweet about the Giveaway: You can copy and paste the following Tweet over on Twitter once per day.

Copy and Paste Tweet:

U can #win @RickyandLucysGH Organic Italian Seasoning $7.50 Value on @busch0218 blog!  http://t.co/4JLctwv Ends 03-14 11:59MST

Please leave a separate comment with email for each entry that you complete -PLEASE!

Good Luck Everyone and Thank You Ricky & Lucy.


Friday, March 4, 2011

Blog Grand Re-Opening! Thanks to MiMi and Samantha's Day




It has been like Christmas this week thanks to MiMi's suggestion on my blog question reference wanting to have my blog professionally designed.  Thank you MiMi - I owe you big -


I'm not worthy!

As you can see - I made my choice on getting my blog professionally designed and I couldn't be happier! 

I selected - Samantha's Day



Words cannot express how HAPPY I am with what Samantha's Day has done for my blog. (there still maybe a few more tweaks along the way, but it is pretty much all done)  She is sooooo awesome to work with and kept me up to date on every step of this process.  She was and still is so patient with me, while I learned and still am learning about how a blog is set up. 



And my Goodness she was so FAST!!!!!                                                                                       


and.....

 I LOVE IT!!!!


I am absolutely amazed at how she can look at photos of people as well as pets and make a perfect fun computer image.  My boys love looking at the header and talk about what they are doing!  It is so much fun.

What a great week!!!!  So what do you all think????

Have you all entered my Purex giveaway!  If not check it out and enter to win today. And if you want to make my week EXTRA special CLICK HERE and learn about Purex - as for every click I stand a chance at winning $500 from the Purex Insider Club.  Thanks in advance.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Purex Complete Crystals Softener Giveaway 3 People will Win! $5.50 Value

I am so excited to be hosting another Giveaway!!!  I was thrilled to find out I was accepted to be a Purex Insider! Which now has given me to opportunity to share my knowledge of Purex products and share some of those products with my followers!

Entry information at the bottom of my post.

One new Line Purex has on the market is called Purex Complete Crystals Softener.  I was lucky and received a free sample from Purex and tried it out!  I love it and I am amazed at how long the scent remains!  Plus if you add a few of the crystals into your vacuum cleaner it makes your whole house smell fresh and clean!



So, What IS it?

Purex® Complete Crystals Softener is a tiny crystalized fabric softener that you add directly to your washing machine, in with your clothes and detergent at the beginning of every wash cycle to infuse fabrics with long lasting fragrance.




Why these crystals vs. traditional liquid fabric softener?

Purex® Complete Crystals Softener works differently than traditional oil-based softeners that coat fabrics with oily residue. It actually infuses fibers with long-lasting fragrance while softening at the same time. In addition, since you add it directly with your laundry, this means no more waiting for the rinse cycle, no messy residual gunk in your washing machine, and no more stains from spilling liquid fabric softener.

Is it safe?

Yes! – it is safe for all fabrics, including baby clothes, athletic wear, towels, and whites. Unlike other softeners, Crystals WILL:

• Preserve the flame retardant benefits of your children’s clothes

• Retain your athletic wear’s wicking ability which draws sweat away from your body

• Maintain your towels’ built-in ability to absorb water

• Keep your white clothing from yellowing and graying vs. using traditional softeners

The product won’t harm your clothes and is safe and convenient for the entire family! It is also safe for use in both Standard and High Efficiency (HE) washers.

Purex Complete Crystals Softener is available in three fragrances:

Fresh Spring Waters, Lavender Blossom, and Tropical Splash.

Now for the Giveaway information.....

3 Lucky Winners will be selected via Random.org.

Each winner will receive one coupon good for One 28oz bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener - Maximum Value $5.50 - coupon expires 12-31-11.


Open to US residents only age 18 or over. You must complete the Mandatory Entry to be eligible. This giveaway Ends 03/13 at 11:59pm MST. Please leave a separate comment with your email address for each entry that you complete.




*** Mandatory Entry - Vist Purex and tell me something you have learned + you can print off a great coupon to save on this new product!  *** 

Bonus Entries:

Follow Fishful Thinking on Google Friends Connect - on the right side of my blog

Follow Fishful Thinking on Twitter

"Like" Purex on Facebook.

Follow Purex on Twitter.

Tweet about the Giveaway: You can copy and paste the following Tweet over on Twitter once per day. Remember to let me know you tweeted.

Copy and Paste Tweet:

U can #win @Purex Complete Crystals Softener on @busch0218 blog! 3 Winners http://t.co/5EXy3cn Ends 03/13 1159pm MST #giveaways

Don't miss out on my other Great Giveaway for some awesome Spices!


Good Luck Everyone and Happy Laundry Day!






Win A Free Rudolph Food Product by Voting for National Pork Rind Appreciation Day + it helps Wounded Warriors

First of all I want to share a deep food love.  A love that thanks to my Grandma Helen, has continued over the years. 

I am not ashamed to say, from the tallest barn, sky scraper, or mountain

"I AM A PORK RIND LOVVVVVERRRRRR!!!!!"

A few months ago I found an excellent Pork Rind/Cracklins company on Facebook - Southern Recipe and Rudolph Foods . What an amazing company with a HUGE selection of quality PORK products.  I love there Pork!!!  They are fresh and MADE IN THE USA!!!!!



I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a Vlogger for Southern Recipe . So I make videos about my love of Pork Rinds and they send me free products to review.  They are still looking for more vloggers if anyone is interested!!!

I am in awe on how many different quality products they produce - I was lucky enough that they sent me a excellent selection of some of their products to try for free! (Original, Salt & Vinegar, Red Pepper, Chile & Lime, Hot & Spicy, Sweet BBQ) + in different forms (Cracklins - Curly, Dipper, and Strips and Pork Rinds)  Can I say now "I am in HOG HEAVEN!"

They had created a flavor for every taste, mood, and love.



Check it out!







 Pay attention everyone!  Here is where you can make a difference and Win Free Pork Rinds/Cracklins!

A campaign has been created in an effort to help Rudolph Foods consumers celebrate pork rinds as a quirky and nostalgic snack that encourages family togetherness and tradition. Now through Big Game 2012, Rudolph Foods and their Lee’s, Southern Recipe and Pepe’s brands, will be campaigning to make Big Game Sunday the official National Pork Rind Appreciation Day.


The pork rind brands are calling upon the public to help to make the National Pork Rind Appreciation Day campaign a success.


Vote today  - Your vote will go to help Wounded Warriors Family Support.org because for every vote $.10 will be donated.  Plus 1 in every 20 voters will win a Rudolph Food product

So your VOTE is a WIN WIN Situation - Please make a Difference today in a Soldier's Life!

      

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Liz & Janna's Spring Swap - Sign up Today

I am so excited I just signed up to be part of

springswap

Do you want to join the fun?  If so head on over to Happiness is a journey for Janna and learn how today.  Sign up dead line is March 9th so don't miss out!