26th Dessert Exhange - Sunday, February 5th @ 4PM

Hello! I am hosting the next dessert exchange at my place in Niles (near Superdawg). There is a ton of free parking. I'm not far from the Blue Line or UP-NW Metra at Jefferson Park (a bus comes within 3 blocks of the house). I'm limiting the party to 9 people, including myself.

***Be warned*** I have a kitty. He likes to be nosy and will likely beg for a pat on the head, then later he'll find a spot in the middle of the group and flop over.

There is a vague, unenforced theme: Chocolate! Spices! It's almost Valentine's Day after all, and we talked about being woefully short on chocolate during the 24th exchange. But as long as something sweet is involved, your treat will be welcomed with open arms.

Here are the basics on the exchange:
1) I’ll serve dinner, followed by the dessert tasting.
2) Bring one recipe size of any dessert – no doubling or tripling of recipes necessary.
3) Bring containers to transport your desserts home.
4) Come hungry!

Dinner
Cheese and Tomato Galette, possibly
Oven-Roasted Pepper Tart with Prosciutto and Goat Cheese (even dinner is pie!)
Clementine Green Bean Salad

Attendees
Me - Clementine Cream Pie and Sweet Chocolate Mystery Thangs
Ms. Ingie - Pink Peppercorn Pavlova with Strawberries, Vanilla Cream, and Basil Syrup
Cathy2 - Poo-Free Chocolate Cream Pie...or maybe jam cake
izzy - Chocolate Flourless Cake with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Sauce
suef - Dunno with Chocolate in It
justjoan - Pecan/Bourbon Layer Cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting
Cookie Monster - Cherry Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Cookies

I'll be there. Haven't decided on anything yet, but I'll go with the Valentine's theme.

Pie Lady: Thank you for the invitation. Your theme is intriguing, so I would like to join you. I will accept the chocolate and spicy challenge - and probably bring a spicy fudge. Thanks for hosting! I look forward to meeting your kitty too. mrsm

Oh sure mrsm, don't come to my house, but go the month after.

Hi,

After having finally seen The Help, I am tempted to make a chocolate cream pie. I promise not to include anything expelled from my body for that special something.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

After having finally seen The Help, I am tempted to make a chocolate cream pie. I promise not to include anything expelled from my body for that special something.

Regards,

This is a much different movie than I envisioned.

Thank you for hosting. Please include me. I will do chocolate flourless cake, more like a fudge fix. It is from a Julia Child recipe. An old one. Very dense. With whipped cream on the side. And raspberry sauce on the side. How romantic is that?
And thanks for the 4pm time start.

Finally registered on LTH myself so no longer going through Joel's name.
I will try to make it to the next one. Not far from home but I have a crazy weekend. I have no idea what I am making yet, but it will have chocolate in it.

Also, I know you asked for the peanut butter pie recipe, so I am posting it here.

Crust:
1 package (11 double crackers) graham crackers
2/3 cup of peanuts
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons melted butter

In a food processor chopped the peanuts, then add the crackers and sugar and process until fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse until just incorporated. Press mixture into a pie pan.
Blind bake crust at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.

Peanut butter layer:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup cream

Melt butter and peanut butter together (I do this in the micro but you can do it on the stovetop) Stir in vanilla and sugar until smooth. Reserve 1/4 - 1/2 cup of mixture. Add the cream to the remaining filling and mix until completely combined. Spoon filling into the crust and gently spread it evenly over the bottom.

Chocolate layer:
1 lb dark chocolate
1/4 cup cream
2 eggs
4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 egg whites
1 cup whipping cream

Melt the chocolate. Cool slightly. Stir in 1/4 cup of cream, 2 eggs and 4 egg yolks.
Beat 1 cup of cream with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
Beat egg whites until stiff.
Stir egg whites and whipped cream into chocolate.
Pour over peanut butter layer in pie.
Take the reserved peanut butter filling. Roll out and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the shapes on the top of the pie for decoration.
Chill
Whip additional cream to top if desired.

I think I've decided to make: Pink Peppercorn Pavlova with Strawberries, Vanilla Cream, and Basil Syrup from "Bon Appetit Desserts."

The recipe can also be found here:

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/05/pink_peppercorn_pavlova_with_strawberries_vanilla_cream_and_basil_syrup#ixzz1k0aWLAa8

Everything sounds delightful so far!

please add me to the list. just curious: why 4pm not 5? joan

justjoan wrote:please add me to the list. just curious: why 4pm not 5? joan

We were talking last time and with the time change and lousy weather, it's easier to get around when there's still a little daylight.

You're on the list!

I was sorry to miss last month's exchange and Feb. 5th is my birthday, so I already have plans. Hope I can make it to the next one!

I am RSVPing for Cookie Monster.

Happy Birthday Laura, albeit a bit early. Have a special dessert.

Two more spots open...

Hi,

I'm glad this is beginning at 4 PM. I'll be there, though I will be leaving on the early side.

Ingrid - bring the ladle from the soup exchange, it's mine.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I'm glad this is beginning at 4 PM. I'll be there, though I will be leaving on the early side.

Ingrid - bring the ladle from the soup exchange, it's mine.

Regards,

I'll be bringing your ladle and Izzy's sheet pan.

if i don't change my mind, i'm planning to bring one of my favorite cakes: pecan/bourbon layer cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting (does not contain cranberries). justjoan

Pie Lady-- Don't forget the Money Shots!

Thanks, SueF, for reminding me to send my address. If you didn't get an email from me, let me know!

I don't think I'll have time to make Drunken Hos this time around, but I'll save them for next Valentine's Day. Instead, there will be a colorful array of cookies and brownies to go with the pie.

Pie Lady, my apologies but I will not be able to attend after all. Hope you all enjoy!

Nooooooo!
Hope to see you at the next thing!

Thanks for posting about the Giant Penis Cookies
I will be making my Cherry Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Cookies.
Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
Should I bring bread or an adult beverage?

HI,

Due to convenience, I might be shifting to another dessert: jam cake.

Regards,

HI,

I found the recipe used in the movie, I will do it their way: Minny's Chocolate pie

Ms. Ingie - please bring your camera to document today's desserts. My camera is unavailable.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:HI,

I found the recipe used in the movie, I will do it their way: Minny's Chocolate pie

Ms. Ingie - please bring your camera to document today's desserts. My camera is unavailable.

Regards,

Thanks for bringing chocolate pie; I was so looking forward to it. I will grab the camera now and put it by my purse.

I'm disappointed with the Bon Appetite Pavlova recipe. Next time I'll substitute my tried and true.

Have fun ladies. I am looking forward to the pics. You got great weather for this event.

If there is anyone who attended tonight who hasn't eaten their Pavlova yet, please take a picture. I took pictures of everything except my dessert.