Chocolate-It's What's for Dinner

OK I must admit after I stopped saying "he Schnapped Me*" a million times, I got down to serious business and made this recipe. It was a pretty rich, delicious hot cocoa. I didn't have the pretty candy canes** to add to the mix for the photo op, but even without them, it was pretty darn good.  I added slightly more schnapps to the mix, 1/4 c was certainly not enough. The original recipe was for 8, I halved it and it made 3 large mugs. I'm not used to having a hot cocoa party, so the 8 is a bit excessive even for me. He Schnapped Me Hot Cocoa (Adapted from Cooking Light) 6T cocoa powder 13.5 oz can coconut milk 1 c milk 1/4 c sugar 1t espresso powder 1t vanilla 1/3 c Pepperment Schnapps In a saucepan, whisk cocoa powder into a small amount of the coconut milk. Add remaining coconut milk, sugar, and espresso powder. Heat over medium heat until very warm (not boiling). Stir in vanilla and schnapps. Garnish with candy cane or marshmallows. *Seinfeld epis...

Now that the tomatoes are in full swing, it's time to make salsa. This is a good alternative to plain tomato salsa. I like this salsa a little more on the sweet side so you might want to use less sugar. The Sous Chef says he would like it with a little bit of heat. Either way it's still delicious. Nectarine Salsa 2 nectarines 2 T sugar 2 tomatoes 1 shallot Salt Peel nectarines and tomatoes If you don't have this handy-dandy peeler , I recommend you get one. Otherwise you will have to drop the nectarines and tomatoes in boiling water for a few seconds.  Immediately put them in an ice-water bath.  They should then slide out of their skins. Do a large dice on the nectarines and place in a bowl. Sprinkle sugar on the nectarines and allow the fruit to macerate for a few minutes.  Meanwhile slice the top of the tomato off and gently squeeze out some of the seeds. Large dice the tomatoes.  Finely chop the shallots. Add the tomatoes and shallot to the nectarine...