Recipe: Coffee Orleans

Getting your morning beignets at New Orleans Cafe du Monde, a cherished tradition - Image by wallyg via Flickr

From Denny: When I think about the many trips to New Orleans and ordering this show-stopper coffee at one wonderful restaurant or another. Great fun to do for your family and friends on a holiday like the Fourth of July! Yeah, we're a bunch of show-offs here in Louisiana! :)

From: About.com

"A flaming coffee drink that will impress at a party. Maybe a little too showy for your typical morning coffee, but a wonderful spiced recipe when serving coffee cocktails for a crowd."

Ingredients:

•1 cup coffee

•1 orange

•5 Tablespoons cognac

•5 Tablespoons benedictine

•1 teaspoon brown sugar

•3 cloves, whole

Preparation:

Strip off a large piece of orange zest, and poke the cloves into it. Place in the bottom of a mug, with the brown sugar. In a saucepan, mix the cognac and benedictine and heat through. Light the alcohol and pour (flaming) into the mug. Fill mug with coffee and serve.

Recipe: Italian Chocolate Soda

Another chocolate soda version, looks yummy! - Image by rho.doras via Flickr

From Denny: Whew! It's so hot here it's 101 degrees F. in the shade! Sitting in front of the fan while I blog - and, oh, yeah, the air conditioning is on full blast too. :) Enjoy this quick chocolate fix on a hot day! Now everyone say after me, "Ah, chocolate comfort food!"

From: About.com

A sparkling drink with a hint of chocolate and cream. Even with the heavy cream, this is a very refreshing recipe for the heat of summer.

Ingredients:

•3 Tablespoons chocolate syrup

•3 Tablespoons heavy cream (I use low fat milk as a substitute)

•Crushed ice

•Club soda or other sparkling water

Preparation:

Add syrup and cream to the bottom of a glass and mix well. Add crushed ice to nearly full, and then top off with club soda.

Video: Nutritious Chocolate, the New Super Food?

From Denny: Looks like the news industry is just now catching on to what you and I know about our beloved chocolate: it's a superfood! What took them so long? :) Check out this informative chocolate video about a new chocolate product packed with antioxidants. Beats taking vitamin pills hands down for weight loss especially!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Funny Photos: Chilling in Bed with a Couple of Cheetahs

From Denny: Talking about chilling with your cat peeps! :) This South African lady, Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen, took in 4 orphaned cheetahs, 5 lions and 2 tigers. Cool lady!



OK, I double dare you to tell these cats to get off the kitchen counters! So much for learning "house manners..."



Who says cats and dogs can't get along? :)

Just click on the title link to take you to the UK's dailymail online page where it was featured a few days ago.

Recipe: Hot Fudge Coconut Pudding

From Denny: We all know and love the folks over at the Hershey's Chocolate kitchens! As a child I learned to bake from their simple recipes and have been loving chocolate ever since. Are you as big a fan of chocolate and coconut as I am? Usually, when coconut is in a recipe I reduce the sugar level - here I would only use 1/3 cup as opposed to what the recipe calls for: 2/3 cup. Your sweetness level is your choice; some folks like things really sweet.



Hershey's Chocolate Cookbook

(Featured in the Romancing The Chocolate Amazon store, just click on the title. Found dozens of various Hershey chocolate cookbooks. These guys have been busy over the years! I have several of their books on my shelves.)

Hot Fudge Coconut Pudding

From: “Hershey’s Chocolate Treasury: A Special Collection From America’s Chocolate Authority”

Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 (3-1/8-oz.) pkg. vanilla pudding and pie filling mix, not the instant mix variety

3/4 cup flaked coconut

1-1/2 cups boiling water

Vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Combine flour, 2/3 cup sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt in large mixing bowl.

2. Blend in milk, oil and vanilla. Stir in nuts.

3. Spread in greased 8-inch square pan or 1-1/2-quart shallow baking dish.

4. Combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, dry pudding and pie filling mix and coconut; sprinkle over batter.

5. Carefully pour boiling water over mixture; do not stir. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; serve warm with vanilla ice cream.