ArtSees Diner - Truffle Fudge

Truffle Fudge by Mary E

• 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk 
• 16 oz of 60% semi-sweet chips 
• 7 oz of whipping cream 
• 7 oz of marshmallow fluff 
• 1/2 cup of butter 
• 1 tbsp of vanilla 
• cake pan
• parchment paper or aluminum foil
• non-stick spray 
• nuts, add-ons or other such tasty treats

Before you make the fudge mixture, prepare the pan. Line it with either parchment paper, foil and non-stick spray and set it aside.

Melt all of the ingredients together except for marshmallow fluff and vanilla. Get it smooth and creamy and bring it to a temperature that establishes large popping bubbles but not a full boil.  Keep stirring it on medium heat for a few more minutes.

After about 6 minutes total from the first signs of melting add in the marshmallow fluff and stir until there are no signs of the white stuff.
Then add vanilla. Remove from heat.

If you are going to add other ingredients, evenly layer the bottom of the pan with whatever extras you are going to use.  I layered Sam's baking add-ons of white chocolate chips, cranberries and macadamia nuts. Next, carefully pour the hot fudge mixture over the baking add-ons so as to not displace the layer. Then I let it cool for 12 or so hours.

Trick to cutting it in perfect squares: Now that the fudge is completely cured and set - lift the fudge out of the pan on the foil or parchment paper. On a flat surface, Using a large pizza cutter roll and cut the fudge into small squares.

Tip: Go ahead and try other chips, flavors and adornments.

The Melting Pot _River North; Not what it use to be...

The eve of Mother's Day, 2015,  my daughter's and I went for our traditional "Daughter's Day" dinner. Many years ago when all three of my daughters were in college, I decided to mutually honor them as they are the reason I am a mother. While I realize there are many sides to that story, the fact remains, we celebrate our existence together. It is how we do things. So, this year it was decided that they would bring "us" to one of my favorite leisure dining experiences. The Melting Pot in River North, Chicago Illinois. So, now for my review...

What can I say, pots of melted cheese and chocolate, right? Well I have to admit the food was decadent, delicious and exactly what we came for. The "circuses;" well, it felt far too much like a circus. It has been some time since I was at (what was one time my fav, place) I spent a lot of time near Dearborn and Ontario.  Aside from the overall deterioration of the area, (very different from a couple years ago) the decline of the establishment is apparent too. From a dirty bathroom, (when your feet stick to the floor and the locks and hooks on the doors have been jury rigged) to the children freely wandering around I was beginning to question my high ticket decision to bring my daughter's to "my place." Our waiter was a very entertaining chap and good at what he did. There was no one busing the tables, no one ensuring we had water. Seriously 4 hours later and 2 glasses of water? The M-P needs to get with it, update, clean up. Oh, the food and the waiter 5 stars...the rest 1.5. Time to go to Geja's. 

canela chocolate y crema con tequila _ Casa Noble

Es muy delicioso! canela chocolate y crema con tequila - Casa Noble

On July 24th in honor of National Tequila Day, I interviewed Jose Hermosillo, 7th generation, tequila maker and owner of Casa Noble Tequila. Since that time, I have had the pleasure of experiencing Anejo, Reposado and Crystal Casa Noble Tequila.

Tonight I dabbled in a little mixology. Although I have taken Jose's recommendation to indulge in a clean sampling of Casa Noble and enjoyed it immensely, I am finding myself desiring a movement away from the typical margarita. Regardless how you indulge, Casa Noble is smooth, clean, fresh, alive. Casa Noble Tequila is some of the finest tequila I have had the pleasure of indulging in. Well, tonight I ventured away from clean and created a remarkable mix...Simple:

1/3 cup of half and half

1 ounce of dark chocolate

1 tbsp of vanilla

2 tbsp of simple sugar

1/4 tsp of cinnamon

4 to 5 ice cubes

2 shots of tequila, (I chose anejo) The deep caramel hue, bold rich taste and rich body holds up well to the ice

Place the chocolate, vanilla and half and half in a mug and heat for 1 minute/25 seconds. Stir vigorously... then blend all of the aforementioned ingredients into a shaker. Rapidly shake until almost all of the ice is melted. Pour into glass and let sit for about 5 minutes. The tequila when blended with the cinnamon really melds all the flavors together. Serve!

I can imagine that Sambuca and Grand Marniere would add fruit-filled essence, but, not entirely necessary.

South Bend Chocolate Cafe in downtown Mishawaka, Indiana

Mary and I had a wonderful time performing at South Bend Chocolate Cafe in downtown Mishawaka, Indiana last night. The steady stream of customers indicated quality cuisine. The employees where cheerful, responsive, and easy on the optic nerve.

The real icing on the cake of our experience was the carryout food that was part of our compensation, greedily devoured in the car on the way home. I can say without reservation that my ham and cheese sandwich was easily the best I've ever had out. The ham was obviously real ham as opposed to lunch meat ham. It was perfectly balanced by a fine, expertly melted cheese. Though it was too dark in the car to see what I was inhaling, my tongue relished the slightly toasted and buttered bread, which was no ordinary bread at that.

Google maps tells me we're 43.1 miles from 117 S Main St. in Mishawaka, Indiana. My taste buds tell me there ain't no 43.1 miles high enough to keep me from enjoying another fabulous sandwich there.

And to think that we didn't even get to the chocolate itself! Do make haste!

Patricia's Chocolates, A New ArtSees Diner Favorite

It was a wonderful Saturday. Like many Saturdays,Steve and I look forward to our drives up Red Arrow Highway. We visit either St. Joe's Michigan or South Haven. (We often times stop off at many places along the way as well) This particular day we chose St. Joseph Michigan. As we drove into town I saw the White Pine Winery Tasting Room, and it called me by name, "Mary, Mary!" I meandered in and Steve went across the street to a book store, (his favorite thing to do.) I was quickly treated like royalty by Sandy and she began to talk her wine. She is the co-owner with husband Dr. David Miller. We shared some conversation about wine, my desire to become more knowledgeable about wine, and especially regional wines. It was after sampling their amazing wine that I was introduced to Patricia's Chocolate. In particular the "Vintner's Choice" I purchased my own little treats to enjoy with my new bottle of White Pine Wine. I chose the Red Wines selection and enjoyed for a couple days nibbles of Blueberry~Tellieherry~ peppercorn Ganache, and Plum~Current Ganache, Cherry~Hibiscus Ganache, Allspice ~Balsamic Ganache, each one perfectly placed and decorated with intricate little designs. I once again felt like I was royalty!