Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

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Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

In ancient Greece, Muses were beautiful goddesses who inspired great creativity in literature, painting, dance, and music. A visit from the Muses, along with their gifts of inspiration and genius, were coveted by every artist with a vision. Great poets lusted after the perfect words; artists dreamed of the right shades and subtle tones; and musicians yearned to hear lithe melodies and swelling harmonies. Inspiration was a gift the Muses bestowed upon you, often without warning. The Muses would visit as they pleased, blessing a sacred few with true beauty while ignoring the pleas of the struggling or desperate. The Muses were wild and untamed, never to be controlled or willed upon.

Nevertheless, many great poets would call upon the Muses in their work, hoping to be blessed with their gifts of wisdom and virtuoso as they put pen to paper.

"Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy..." -Homer

Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

After studying a great deal of Latin and, in turn, ancient Greece, I often find myself wishing for my own visit from the Muses. I imagine them lounging around above the clouds, holding in all the creativity, the genius, the beauty, that will ever be written, painted, or spoken. Shall we sweep down to Kristin and peer though her camera lens today? They will discuss among themselves. No? Perhaps tomorrow. I heard Adele is writing a new song...

Of all the gods and goddesses, the Muses were revered by the artists above all. In my own occasional pits of creative despair, I have no trouble believing this affirmation. Often my photography simply refuses to match the beautiful images I've conjured up in my mind. The beauty is lost in translation somewhere between my vision and the click of the camera's shutter.

Words escape my fingers when I sit down to write. Sometimes I imagine that if I can ever express something so succinctly, so accurately, I can hang up my apron and my work will be done. Yet, I feel the Muses grant no one that pleasure.

Even so, I feel the Muses heard Homer's call when he composed The Odyssey, blessing him with the expression "child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn." Years later, this simple phrase still sends a shiver through my mind—I could not write such a perfect description if I lived a thousand years.

Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

Despite my personal struggles with the mythical Muses, I like to imagine they hold a real presence in this world. For anyone who pursues artistry, knowing the Muses are out there is like taking a collective sigh of relief. The Muses take away the responsibility of creativity or genius from ourselves. They bestow these gifts alone. If the words do not flow, I am not to blame. If another one of my recipes fails extraordinarily, the Muses must have certainly played a hand. And, if the photographs of this Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake don't quite measure up to the images swimming about my head, we can always blame the Muses.

Perhaps they have taken the day off.

Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake

This Flourless Chocolate Rum Cake melts in your mouth like a rich, chocolate truffle. The cake itself is flourless (this is for you, gluten-free friends!) and sets using eggs and a hint of cocoa powder. With a heavy shot of rum, this cake is not for the kids. The alcohol does not bake out of the cake and your nose may feel a little tingly after the first bite. Imagine a chocolate rum truffle, make it just a little bit lighter in texture, and you have this sinful cake.

If you want to eliminate the rum, simply substitute it with 1/3 cup water.

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Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

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Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

When I worked in a small bakery, my first responsibility of the day was to fill the pastry case with hot, freshly baked scones. In the darkness of the morning hours, scones were simple enough for my tired mind to understand. Flour, butter, and baking powder—the essentials—were assembled at my right hand. The hum of the mixer accompanied by my practiced motion of tossing in the ingredients became the melody to the break of day.

Once in the case, there was only a brief moment of respite before moving onto the next task.

Roasted Pepper Feta Scones Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

Though the scones were simple enough of a task to my weary mind, I quickly grew tired of them. I resented the spicy peach scones for taking so much longer to assemble. The raspberry white chocolate tested my patience when the raspberries often gave the dough too much moisture (and the scones would bake up as flat as a pancake). The blueberry became a disappointment whenever the bright blueberry color would bleed throughout the batter instead of staying intact.

These scones became my labor of love. I worked hard to produce consistent scones, despite each varieties' quirks. On those mornings when I wasn't ready to face a fight with raspberry white chocolate scones (again), I started inventing my own flavors, with the ingredients hiding around the bakery. Apple cinnamon, white chocolate mocha cappuccino, and chocolate mint became hits among the regulars. These scones were the one item at the bakery I could truly call my own.

Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

Nevertheless, when my time at the bakery came to a close, I was in no hurry to whip up another batch of scones any time soon. After making thousands of scones by hand (and nibbling on too many stale scones destined for the trash), I think I've had my fair share for the next few months (or, to be honest, years).

However, since I rarely made savory scones at the bakery, they still intrigue me. Just about anything could end up in a savory scone—how was anyone supposed to choose? After a little creative thinking (and a craving for roasted bell peppers), these Roasted Pepper Feta Scones were born. Finally a scone that isn't just for breakfast!

Roasted Pepper Feta Scones

Roasted Pepper Feta Scones are buttery, light, and flavorful. Featuring roasted peppers, feta cheese, and green onion, these three flavors come together to make a scone that is as welcome at lunch time as breakfast. You may roast the bell peppers yourself or, for convenience, pick up a jar of roasted peppers at the local market. These tips for making mile-high, flaky biscuits also apply to making scones: check them out!

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Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

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Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

I grew up eating baked corn tortilla chips. My mother made them purposely whenever she served up chicken tortilla soup. She seasoned them with a dash of salt and served them crisp and hot, fresh from the oven. We used them to scoop up the soup, rarely needing to pick up our spoons. The first time she made them I was in awe. Though I eat tortilla chips all the time, I never made the connection between the chips in the bag and an actual tortilla sitting on a baking sheet.

You could say it was a revelation of sorts.

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

While this may be a new idea to some of you, for others it is a reminder that you can and should make your own corn chips. They can be made sweet with a dash of cinnamon and sugar or savory with spices and herbs. I made three different types of chips when I set out to bake them yesterday. The first were made with a light sprinkling of salt and a dash of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The second group I sprinkled with a few dried Italian herbs. The third group of corn chips was seasoned with dash of seasoning salt (Lawry's brand). Though these are just a few ideas, I imagine that freshly cracked pepper would go perfectly on just about everything.

Be careful when seasoning the chips, however. A little salt goes a long way.

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

While I enjoy them with a bowl of chicken tortilla soup, they certainly wouldn't go amiss with a bowl of hot and hearty chili. These tortilla chips are also lovely dipped into a dish of homemade salsa or a warm pot of spicy queso.

You may be having a Super Bowl party, looking forward to the big game to cheer on your favorite team. Or you may be in my shoes, excited for chips, chili, and sitting down to the best commercials of the year. Whatever end of the spectrum you fall, I hope you enjoy your evening and definitely eat your fair share of salsa.

How would you personalize your corn chips?

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

These Baked Corn Tortilla Chips are crunchy, fresh, and come straight from your oven. They are easy to make—simply cut a corn tortilla into strips or pie wedges, lightly spray with cooking oil and season however you please. After spending a few minutes in the oven, they come out crisp, hot, and ready to eat. Not only are these chips healthy because they are baked, but they are equally at home near a bowl of dip or a bowl of soup.

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