Recipes, Roommates and Showers

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Individual Chocolate Lava Cakes

CHOCOLATE CENTERS
1/2 bar Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet baking bar
1/4 c heavy cream

CAKE
Nonstick cooking spray
1 bar Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet baking bar
1/2 c unsalted butter
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/3 c sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c cake flour

Fruit and Whipped Cream Garnish (Raspberries or Strawberries are good)

First you melt the 1/2 baking bar and cream in a double boiler (a pot filled with water and metal bowl works just fine too!) Whisk the mixture gently to blend. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Then roll into balls, about an inch wide keep refrigerated until needed.
To make the cake you: heat the oven to 400 degrees. Then spray down 6 ramekins or custard cups (I actually used a muffin pan and it made 11 perfectly sized and proportioned lava cakes) with the cooking spray. Melt the remaining chocolate and butter in a double boiler and whisk to blend. Place eggs, yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a mixer bowl. Mix together medium speed for about 5 minutes or until thick and light. Then fold in the melted chocolate mixture and flour by hand until just combined. Then divide between the prepared molds and in the middle of the batter pouring, place a chocolate ball. Bake for about fifteen minutes, or until the cake is firm to the touch. Let it sit in the oven for about 5 minutes, run a knife around the edge of the mini cakes, and then invert upon a plate. Drizzle with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and I fanned strawberries.
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Today I was so lucky to go to my old roommates bridal shower. Kelli and Robbie are going to get married on October 23, 2009. We were so excited to have seen the fruition of their relationship, and wish them all of the luck in the world as their two lives become one! Of all thirteen roommates that I've had 7 of them are now married (yes Kami you are included as a roommate). I just have to say I love married people. :)

The other picture is of my recent haircut.

Today I gave out to Kelli and also whipped up a batch of my famous cookies. I'm still debating on whether I am going to give out that coveted recipe online or not. I'll let you know when the deliberation is over.

I've recently discovered the Artist Owl City, and their song Fireflies. I'm in love with it. I highly recommend them.

I've recently happened upon a definition I love for peace:

Peace is that all is well with that which matters most.

And finally good luck with all of your endeavors whether they be great or small.

Day Number One

This is my family. Mom, Dad, Brother, and Me in Vatican City during summer 08. We love to travel! Our family loves doing things together. I miss them so much while I'm out here at school.

I'm the oldest with my younger brother who is basically the worlds best brother. Ever. His birthday is coming up soon and I am in a quandary of what to get him at the moment.

On the topic of Birthdays, today, actually yesterday I guess, was my roommate Larissa's birthday. We wanted to invite some of our friends over, celebrate her day and play some games. I also wanted to create some kind of culinary masterpiece for her cake ...item. So I attempted to make individual Ghiraradelli Chocolate Lava Cakes, with drizzeled chocolate and strawberry fans. They tasted very good but the problem was that we didn't put in enough of the chocolate center so they didn't burst forth as does lava. So my grade for the overall plate was a C+ for presentation, A- for the taste, overall effect B-. I promise next time to have a picture.

And finally, I only have one thing left to say that has actually been common in my study these last few days for my class and that is:

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. . . . If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."—The First Presidency

And finally good luck with all your endeavors whether they be great or small.