The title of this post is about as unromantic as it gets, especially if you are cooking alone for a bunch of starving family members after putting in eight hours at the office. However, there is a way to make getting Valentine’s Day dinner on the table a fun experience.
I am a huge fan of Like Water for Chocolate. The 1992 film based on the best-selling novel published in 1989 by Mexican author Laura Esquivel had me from the first scene. I love that cooking is fully integrated in the film in a way that inspires viewers to whip up their own family favorites.
Why not bring the same passion to the table on Valentine’s Day? Instead of cursing the fact that you are in charge of cooking yet another celebratory meal, consider having the entire crew chip in to make the following sweet and savory Love Day treats:
CHOCOLATE CHILI
Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1-1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped tomatoes
6 ounces tomato paste
1 quart water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon Tabasco
2 tablespoons chili powder
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 bay leaf
Directions:
Cook ground beef and onion until meat is cooked. Drain fat.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, water, vinegar and Tabasco.
Stir spices, salt and cocoa powder together in small dish.
Add spice mix into the chili and add a bay leaf.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 2 hours.
Remove bay leaf before serving.
CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES
Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a mixing bowl beat all ingredients on medium low speed until well combined.
Add dough to parchment line baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool on rack.
Ingredients for Filling:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, add butter and marshmallow and beat until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Spread filling on bottom half of chocolate sandwich and place the remaining chocolate cookie cakes on top.
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