I got inspired by Julie and Julia and decided to do a year long food project. I am cooking (or eating) my way through a year’s worth of food “holidays”. I’m hoping I’ll learn something new, make things I’ve never attempted to make before and, of course, have fun!

Well, I guess I should also add that I hope to not gain a million pounds. Every day I’ll cook the food for that day’s holiday So, I’m wondering, do any of you have a food project that you started this year? Have you ever done a food project like this before and how did it turn out? 

 A cup of hot chocolate in my favorite mug brings me comfort and seems to make everything better.

Tired of hearing about the snow? Take a breather, stop time for a moment and make yourself a cup of hot chocolate. And I don’t mean you should combine hot water with some powdered brown mix. Try the old fashion way on the stove.

It doesn’t take much longer and the difference is phenomenal. Try this recipe. It’s a warm, luscious, smooth tasting cup of chocolaty goodness made with REAL chocolate. It will make one very large mug or two cups to share. Warning: this is not for the lactose intolerant.Combine milk and cream in a small saucepan and warm on the stove until just beginning to simmer. I use half and half cream and skim milk as that was what I had in the fridge. It’s important to use the cream for that smooth creaminess consistency but if you want an even richer taste, you can use whole milk instead of skim milk.

In the meantime, take your chocolate and chop into small pieces. Because of my love for dark chocolate, I used Callebaut dark chocolate. You can use milk chocolate if you like but the darker the chocolate, the richer the taste. Chop the chocolate into small pieces with a sharp knife. Don’t try to cut large pieces off but work around the edges of the chocolate shaving off smaller sections continually turning it. Once the milk and cream is just beginning to simmer, remove the pan from the stove and add the chopped chocolate reserving a tablespoon of the smaller shavings. Stir the chocolate in until it’s melted. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir.

Pour into your favorite mug. For those who want even more decadence, top with whipped cream (please don’t use cool whip) and the reserved chocolate shavings. Sit in your most comfortable chair, sip a taste of this rich, warm, creamy chocolate bliss and allow yourself to forget any stresses you have. It works for me!Here’s the full recipe:1 and 1/4 cup of milk (skim or whole)
1 cup of half and half cream
4 ounces chocolate, chopped (dark bittersweet or milk or combination)
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional garnish if desired - whipped cream and 1 tablespoon chocolate shavingsHeat milk and cream over low heat on stove until just beginning to simmer. Remove from stove and add in chopped chocolate reserving one tablespoon of smaller shavings for garnish. Stir until melted. Add in sugar and vanilla and stir to mix. Pour into serving mug and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.  

As I was finishing up my weekly cooking demo last Wednesday, there was debate amongst some of the attendees  as to what is the difference between a ”chef “ and a “cook “ ?  I tried real hard to put my thoughts to words but I couldn’t exactly hit it on the nail as being a chef encompasses so many things .

So I called some of my chef colleagues and asked for their input as well .  So here it goes.  

A Chef  is a person who is at best half crazy.  He is extremely creative, moody, temperamental, and insane.  A chef works long hours and the job is both physically and mentally demanding.  He is a perfectionist who will stop at nothing to see his vision through to completion.  A chef creates works of art that will be devoured within minutes of having been created. It is often times a thankless profession . There is always someone who is ready to knock you down and tries to control and mold you into what they want you to be. You have to be extremely confident to the point of arrogance to get your way.  You have to have a thirst for knowledge and a never ending passion for the game or you will not last long in a kitchen.

Tim Jones

A Chef is someone who can transit his goal, enthusiasm, creativity & experience into a position where he continues to provide the strategic and tactical leadership critical to retaining valued customers of an organization.

A chef from some where in California

In this day and age a chef is a skilled cook, a mentor, a showman, an accountant, a human resources director, a supporter of green practices, an entrepreneur and finally a visionary.

  A chef from the DC area