Foodie Friday: Molten Chocolate & Cayenne Pepper Lava Cake with Campari Berries and Chocolate Ice Cream!

Its Foodie Friday! We are about to take this Foodie Friday thing to the next level! You will all about our new and improved Foodie Fridays next week but this week one of our featured Chefs the awesome Chef Simeon Hall who you have seen here before is sharing one of his delectable sweet recipes. The heading of this post alone should make you salivate!

Photographer- Scharad Lightborne

Stylist- Lerielle Cole

Model- Shani Holland

Location – Valentines Boathouse Restaurant, Harbour Island, Bahamas

People often ask me why I became a chef and the truth is very elementary. I did it to meet and feed girls. Okay, so besides being genetically and socially predisposed coming from a family of cooks, that is my honest answer. I grew up feeding the women in my family and I loved to see their faces illuminate whenever I shouted, “dinner is ready!”. Fast forward 20 years later, as a professional chef nothing beats that same radiance whenever I cook for any female.

This love for food and pleasing my audience has morphed into a book that connects and follows a couple through the recipes of the first date to the night she says ‘I do.’

30 recipes every man should cook his woman™ is a cookbook novel.  The recipe below is a simple dessert that every man should have in his arsenal and it is made from CHOCOLATE!

 Enjoy this VANBLOGZ exclusive sneak peak and check me out at www.simeonhalljr.com for private cooking lessons and other amazing culinary services.

Molten chocolate and cayenne pepper lava cake with Campari berries and chocolate ice cream!

Ingredients-

1lb 2 oz bittersweet Graycliff chocolate (65%)

1lb 2 oz unsalted high quality butter

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

10 farm fresh eggs

7.75 oz table sugar

7.25 oz all-purpose flour

Directions:

First, preheat your oven to 370°F

Melt one pound plus two ounces of bitter sweet, 60% chocolate and one pound plus two ounces of unsalted butter in a metal bowl over simmering water, make sure that the butter is incorporated fully. Add one half teaspoon of cayenne pepper for the kick needed.

In a separate Kitchen Aid mixer or using a hand-held blender mix ten medium eggs with seven and three quarter ounce of sugar until the mix has doubled in volume and has a lighter color. Then measure out seven and one quarter ounce of all-purpose flour.

Very gently fold in the chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar blend. Finally add the flour without deflating the mixture. This mix can be baked immediately or held in your refrigerator for up to a week. Simply remove the mix about two hours before and bake according to the baking steps.

Using a 4 ounce baking vessel, cupcake tins or silicon baking molds place three and one half ounce of the cake mix into the baking cup and bake for exactly 7 minutes. Remove and immediately serve.

For the berries, rinse one quarter cup each of quartered strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and add to a mixing bowl. Then add one cup of Campari, one half cup of cranberry juice and one quarter cup of grenadine. Set aside and allow to marinate overnight.

To plate this dessert, unmold the warm cake and add one scoop of your favorite brand of chocolate ice cream on top of the cake and finish with a heaping tablespoon of the macerated berries. The secret of this dish is the fact that the outside of the cake will be fully cooked and the inside will flow like ‘lava’.

 

Mmmmmmmm ... mmmmmmm! How is that for a hot late night dessert? Please share your photos and reviews if you give this recipe a try! Be sure to check out Chef Halls website he is truly passionate about what he does and it translates in the food he puts out ... and that's AAALLLLL GOOOOODDD!!

Celebrities are People Too

It is everywhere! Celebrity "news". I often wonder why we are so eager to know what is going on in the lives of people who are exactly like us but just better known .... and in most cases slightly richer.

We feel so entitled to know who they are dating, who cheated on who, why they broke up, what they are wearing (or what they aren't wearing), what they're driving, where they live, how they party. I mean we are literally living these peoples lives with them. Why are we so interested to know the ins and outs of their lives?

I know some of you are going to say "It comes with the business" or "Any publicity is good publicity", but I disagree. Why do we care? What value does it bring to our lives and how are we able to be so insensitive to what goes on in the lives of celebrities?

For instance at the BET awards and several other performances, Robin Thicke dedicated his performance to his wife Paula Patton. My timeline was flooded with "He so thirsty" , "He is annoying". While I am not in anyway excusing what he did I think it is commendable that he continues to disregard what people think of him bottles up his pride and expresses his love for her and regret for what he did. How many of your significant others did that when they messed up?

 

They have been together since high school he made a mistake and he is sorry for it. Come on guys that is literally the love of his life. You know how we have those songs that remind us of certain times in our life? Whether it be a happy time, a time when we were falling in love, a bad breakup. It just so happens he can make his own songs and create the playlists that we tend to use for our lives.

We continue to disregard that these are real people with real problems in their real life.

We chime in on celebrity relationships because you know everything that the media puts out is true and we are fully up to date to what's happening, so we obviously have the knowledge to express our views right? (That was major sarcasm)

How much of what we read or see on television is the truth and the WHOLE truth? We very rarely hear from the actual person when "the tea is served". But should someone comment on anything in our lives we are quick to say "Don't talk about what you don't know" or "Ask the source" or one of my favorites "You don't know me". Ahhh the irony of it all.  

Beyoncé changed the lyrics to one of her songs during a performance at her and Jay-Z's combined "on the run" concert insinuating that Jay-Z cheated on her. Do we know this to be true? Nope. But Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship is just too good to be true right? So something must be going on in their relationship even if we have to make up something. Like "Solange fought Jay-Z in the elevator because he beats her" ....

Will and Jada Smith allow their kids to express themselves they way they like. We criticize their parenting excessively. To the parents out their ... what is your reaction when someone tries to tell you how to raise your kids? What is your reaction with STRANGERS try to tell you how to raise your kids? ... Truthfully yes the kids dress very "different" but they seem to be pretty respectful kids. Some of the children that actually belong to us do worse things than dress weird. Get a grip!

 

You would swear I know a celeb personally but I don't. However I try to put myself in the shoes of others and try to have an unbiased view. I honestly feel sorry that celebrities sometimes have to walk on eggshells everywhere they go because if they hug someone of the opposite sex everyone is going to speculate that they are dating. Must be a tough way to live.

I hope this will help whoever reads it (including myself) to be a little more mindful of the way we make jokes and comment on peoples lives. Just like you and me some situations are hardly funny and are really tough for us.

Put yourself in a celebs shoes... Those shoes may be expensive but they are very difficult to walk in.

Friends on the Same Page

Have you ever heard the saying that goes something like "Watch the company you keep"?
I always took heed to that saying because it is true... people portray you by the company you keep. However now that I am married and the mother of a beautiful baby boy I have learned the importance of having a circle of friends who are all on the same page in life as you are.

 

Since marrying my husband we were introduced to a group of couples who are all on the same page. Either married, getting married, having kids wanting kids, building homes, creating businesses and so on. In one way or the other each couple is on the same page.

This would have never been important to me until we all starting spending more and more time together.

 

As time went on I learned that having these couples as close friends benefits my husband and I in more ways than one. Not only are they fun to hang out with but when we need suggestions or advice we have 5 different opinions to feed off of. The advice I get from this group is not just their opinions but this group has such strong relationships with God that very frequently advice is followed with scripture.

 

These people have now become more than friends but now they are apart of our lives and my child's life. These are the people that my babies will look up to and who's kids they will grow up with.

 

 

Both the guys and the girls have created what's app groups (separate groups of course, because us ladies need to speak about lady stuff and rant about our husbands from time to time) and while I cannot vouch for what goes on in the guys group besides planning impromptu guy outings ... this group for us girls has become like a sister hood of the traveling pants type of deal.

 

We share our struggles and successes ask advice, vent and chat about recent events and of course the latest on our reality TV shows. Truth is these ladies keep me calm and sane when things begin to become overwhelming. Its also good to know that sometimes you aren't over reacting ... or when you are.

 

While its important that you don't share every gripe or problem in your relationship I think there is always a time when we really need advice.

 

We all have our friends outside of this little circle but I am grateful for this group of people and I'm excited about how we continue to grow into a little family.

 

 

Be wise in your choices on who you associate yourself with and who you let your family hang around. You may not be as lucky to find a group as cool as this one but if you are wise in your decisions you may find a group that's a close second.

 

 



Tagged Tuesday: My 8 Summer Essentials

It is summer ... Wasn't it just Christmas?

It's that time of year when everywhere you go will be invaded with school children who have nothing better to do with their time ... Those were the days huh?

Although there is really no such thing as a summer break when you're living in "the real world" there are a few things I need that atleast make me feel like there is a change in season and for me to cope through the hottest time of the year. 

1. A swimsuit - Have you felt the heat? It is going to be a very hot summer and I must have a swimsuit to go on the beach at least once a week to cool off. 

2. Air Condition - DUH! Because who in the world can handle the sweltering heat every single day? Not this girl. 

3. Bright Make Up Pallets - Its summer time ... time to use some bright fresh colours and be fun! I am a culprit of always wearing the same face when it comes to make-up but I like to change it up in the summer and be one with the season. My favourite pallet right now is I-Divine Pallet Acid by Sleek Make up. Its very pigmented affordable and has loads of cool summer colours. 

Get It Here!

4. Watermelons - I know its odd but watermelons are my favourite fruit and they are the SWEETEST in the summer. I go crazy with watermelons in the summer. I can eat a whole one all by myself. Not to mention they are pretty good in a cocktail. Who doesn't like a summer cocktail? 

5. A Vacation - I hate traveling in the summer but I always need to do at least a quick weekend shopping trip mid year I.E Summer to get the edge off and do a little shopping. 

6. Summer Maxi Dress - These things are just the coolest especially in the summer. Not only is it my go to outfit when I really can't bother it is very "cool"and versatile.  You can wear it on the beach as a cover up or you can dress it up and wear it for a night on the town and not sweat profusely. (Yuck)

Get it Here!

7. Shorts .... and lots of them - Walking around in this heat in long jeans? No BUENO! 

8. A summer Jam - Summer seems to be the time that all artists put out their best hits and every year there is that one song that takes me back to a particular summer. So far my summer song is Shakira's "La La La" The theme song for the Fifa world cup. We are all Fifa World cup crazy at work so I'am hearing this song often. Summer has just begun and this can quickly change.

My essentials are not outrageous at all. I think all of have those things that make us say "Hey its summer time!" What are you Summer essentials? 

Its Tagged Tuesday! Check out my girl's Summer Essentials 

http://www.annisbubble.com

Tagged Tuesday: What have I done for myself lately?

What have I done for myself lately? Good question....

Being a new Mom I have not yet learned how to evenly share time for my husband, baby and me. This process is proving to be more difficult than I thought.

At present I am in dyer need of a visit to the salon and just a day to relax by myself of with the girls but I cant help but feel like I would be abandoning my family if I do. Does this feeling ever go away?

I know in order to keep sane I am going to have to let go and take some time for myself.

My husband and I went out together without Kaiden for the first time last weekend and while we had a great time and I loved spending that quality time with my hubby I couldn't wait to get back to my baby. During our dinner I was texting my aunt to find out if Kaiden was ok even though I knew she is fully capable of taking good care of my precious gift (otherwise he wouldn't have been there)

During this phase of my life I learning the importance of taking care of myself in order to better take care of my family and that goes for all aspects of my life.

I have learned that doing something for myself does not only mean getting my hair and nails done but it also means taking care of my mind, body and soul. I have made so many excuses about why I cant start working out and I cant make a healthy meal for myself because I have Kaiden.

There are a host of things I want to do for myself from haircuts to education but I have to learn to stop making myself handicap and learn how to live this new life with my baby.

I don't know if I will ever not feel like I'm neglecting Kaiden when I'm not with him but I am slowly learning how to deal with those emotions.


What have I done for myself lately? Not much of anything, but that will all soon change.


Tagged Tuesday: See what these dolls have done for themselves lately!

http://www.petulaw.com/2014/06/tagged-tuesday-what-have-i-done-for-me.html

http://www.annisbubble.com/2014/06/tagged-tuesdays-what-have-you-done-for.html

Tagged Tuesday: I'm Glad I'm Not a Kid in 2014

Ahhh the 21st Century... The years of new technologies and futuristic living. Awesome right?! Maybe for us but there a series of reasons why I'm happy I'm not a kid in this century. I'll apologize to my baby when he's old enough to know that it's sincere. 

1. Social Media
Of course this is first because social media is the root of everything wrong with the world. But mostly parents of the 20th century post EVERYTHING on social media which often include not so flattering photos of their kids

Poor Kid

2. Toys like this exist
Why? Seriously ... how much fun can a pet rock be? 

3. Fashion
The trends of today are terrible ... when our kids look back on what they chose to wear 10 years from now they will be so sad ....

What is this pant??? ----> 

4. Vocabulary
I mean really the words twerk and selfie has a home in the oxford dictionary .... why?

5. Technology
While this has two sides too it ... all of the technology the kids of our time have at their disposal is scary at times. With all the computers, tablets and video games our kids sometimes miss out on the really fun parts of childhood. 

6. Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber are celebrities
No explanation needed there.

While every year and every century has there advantages from the last Im sure you can think of at least two reasons why you aren't a kid in the one you're in. Imagine what our parents lists would look like!

It's tagged Tuesday! Check out Anni's Bubble take!

http://www.annisbubble.com/2014/06/tagged-tuesdays-i-love-80s.html

10 Things Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet

"What am I going to wear???"

Im sure we all ask ourselves this question at LEAST twice a week. Looking at a closet filled to brim with various tops, dresses, pants and shoes we just can't come to a decision. So what do you wear when you feel like you have nothing to wear?

Here are my 10 go to items that I think should be somewhere in every womans closet even if you have to really dig for it.

1. A White Blouse 
A white blouse can be worn with all colored pants and any style. Whether you are off to work with a dress trouser or going to do errands in some jeans. A white blouse can be dressed up or down.

2. A Black Blouse 

For when you don't feel like wearing the white blouse! :D

3. A Tank Top

This is for when you want to look cool but use little to no effort. A tank top any style or color is easy to pair with a simple jean pant or short. Hey even get crazy and use a printed or colored pant. Throw on some cool bulky jewelry and voila you my friend look awesome.

Forever 21

4. A Romper

Here's what I love about rompers. It's all in one; you throw it and that's it. I love me a piece that I don't have to find something to go with it. There are tons of different styles of rompers casual and dressy.

Sexydresses.com

5. Maxi Dress

I have like 12 of these in my closet but one will do the trick. I live by maxi dresses, they are so easy to dress up and you can change the looks effortlessly with a simple blazer, jean jacket or cardigan. Love these things!

6. The Little Black Dress

Ugh. I know what you're thinking "Is it really necessary" YES it is! You wont think it is until you have that one upscale party you have to attend and you are scrambling around in your closet trying to find something that's appropriate. 

express.com

7. A Business Suit

Your everyday life may not require you to wear suits, but every woman should have at least one in her closet ...just in case!

8. A Blazer

Blazers are a staple in my closet. I wear them to work and I can dress them down with jeans and flats to go out for a nice casual dinner or outing.

9. A Nude Heel

Not only do these babies elongate your legs and make your feet look SUPER sexy. Nude shoes can be paired with pretty much every color and outfit.

10. CONFIDENCE

Last and certainly not least. Be confident! You can have on a million dollar outfit but it is worth nothing if you don't love yourself first!

What are your closet must haves?