Chocolate Holidays

If the Still Small Voice tells you to bake a chocolate treat for no good reason, then even if you are keeping track of every stinking calorie on mynetdiary.com, then you better damn well hurry up and get your butt into the kitchen. Besides, its a good excuse to break out the brand-new Chocolate Holidays cookbook - (ironically) acquired at Our Lord's second-hand store (D.I.) for a mere $2 - and make those beautiful "Breakfast Valentines".

Turns out Sundance is the holiday. And because you baked them, they will come. Scott shows up out of nowhere with his lovely, engaging L.A. and New Mexico friends/acquaintances, in town for the festival/holiday. And your house just happens to be picked up AND you just so happen to have delicious chocolate homemade treats. Add a quick pot of fresh coffee. Suddenly it is a spontaneous, serendipitous PARTY. Who knew you could have so much fun, meet such cool new interesting people, and not even leave your house (or get out of your stinky outfit/pajamas that you wore all weekend)? I love magic chocolate.



Chocolate Scones from Chocolate Holidays by Alice Medrich
makes 10

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 T baking powder if using Dutch-process cocoa, or a scant 1 t. baking soda if using natural cocoa
1/4 t. salt
10 T. unsalted butter, melted, hot
1 egg, cold
1/4 c. plus 2 T. cold milk

barely sweetened whipped cream for serving; creme fraiche, jam or berries (optional)

- preheat 400
- mix dry
- mix butter and cocoa to smooth, add egg and milk; pour wet over dry and fold just until moistened
- pat into 10x5 rectangle and chill in wax paper 15 minutes
- cut out 8 hearts, use scraps to make a couple more
- bake about 12 minutes; serve warm or room temp, plain or dressed.