February 13, 2012

6 Chocolate Recipes and $100 off Rouxbe

Despite my passion for chocolate, I have never been a huge Valentine’s Day fan. I try to ignore it, not because I am cynical about love, but because I believe affection, gifts and surprises should be dictated by the heart, not the calendar. Or at least that’s my normal stance. But Rouxbe Online Cooking School is having a limited-time-only Valentine’s Day special and I think it’s worth promoting.

Why? Because:

a) Life’s too short to eat bad chocolate. Rouxbe has a fabulous section on chocolate, including how to read a label. Watch the trial video in the Rouxbe widget at the bottom of the post before you buy your sweetheart chocolate. I guarantee you and the recipient will be happy with the results.

b) Unlike my gym membership, I actually visit Rouxbe’s on a regular basis. I use it to refresh my memory, learn new skills and further my culinary education — which may be in part why I’m not at the gym as often as I should.

c) I want to plug some of my old content using the Valentine’s Day Chocolate theme as an excuse.

The fine print: I’m a Rouxbe affiliate. As such, I can offer you specials like the $100 off a Rouxbe Online Cooking School one-year membership or e-card. And hugs. Here’s how it works. You sign up for the membership. They give you unlimited access to their site for a year. I give you a hug.

The deal: Buy a Rouxbe e-card or a new membership before midnight PST on Feb. 14 and save $100 off the unlimited-access Annual Tuition Plan. Treat yourself or a loved one. Then surf Rouxbe content 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s kind of like the all-hours gym that way. Only without the sweat socks.

And for those who love chocolate, here are some links to recipes from my archives.

Triple-Chocolate Brownie Cookies. This one’s from Mairlyn Smith’s Healthy Starts Here! and is one of those recipes where health nuts and chocolate addicts can gather at the table in peace. The biggest worry with this recipe is that people will fight over who gets the last morsel. If in doubt, I do. It keeps things simple that way.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are nothing like Mairlyn’s healthy treats. Butter, and lots of it, form a base with white flour and chocolate chips. Nothing redeeming here. Other than taste. I made these for my cousin Donna who came all the way from Seattle for my sister’s wedding. Yes, they’re that kind of treat.

Double-Double Chocolate Cake: This Canadian classic is a ribbon winner from The Harrow Fair Cookbook by Moira Sanders and Lori Elstone. It calls for a Tim Horton’s double-double. If you can’t buy one, a strong brewed coffee with double cream and double sugar will do. While the coffee is usually reserved for adults, the cake pleases kids and grown ups alike.

Chocolate Wontons: When chocolate and caramel isn’t enough, add a chunk of banana and deep fry. This Bob Blumer special got me eating banana without complaint, which is quite the accomplishment. From his amusing and mind-bending book Glutton for Pleasure, this is for those who like to eat dessert first.

Chocolate Chipotle Brownies: Like a little heat with your chocolate?These sweet, smoky and slightly warm brownies are a wonderful mix of tastes. The backstory on these involves seduction — Cherly at 5 Second Rule‘s photos made me do it. The results? Brownies and a $112 ice cream maker. But that’s another story for another time.

Raspberry & Rhubarb Galette: This one doesn’t actually contain chocolate, although you could add some. I’m putting it here for those rare creatures who don’t like chocolate. Like my Dad. It’s one of his favourites, so I’m including it for the berry and fruit lovers in the crowd.