Stay for Dinner

STAY FOR DINNER: Family and friends gathered around the table, enjoying each other's company over good food, blessing the meal and each other...some of life's best moments. On this site I'll share with you some of the best and the easiest of my extensive recipe collection, as well as new (to me) recipes and my latest experiments. I'll recommend substitute ingredients and alternate ways to prepare most of the dishes so you won't stress over following the recipes to the letter. Now draw everyone into the kitchen to share a glass of wine or iced tea with you while you cook. Engage your spouse & kids or last-minute guests by delegating the slicing & dicing, pot-stirring or table-setting. Get creative and use what's on hand to reduce time-sapping trips to the store. Relax and enjoy the process of spreading a feast before your loved ones.

Chocolate Torte - Put Your Cardiologist on Standby

Back in the late 70's, this recipe was shared with my mother by the choir director at her church in North Florida. Let me tell you - if you love good food, just go to church in the Deep South. You just can't be fed better anywhere on God's Green Earth than at a southern church's quarterly Eatin' Meetin'!

This recipe is elegant enough for a candlelit Valentine's Dinner for two, a family holiday meal or for having important clients over for dinner. And it's so delicious that an old friend remembered & requested it for our first dinner together in 20 years!

NOTE - I'm posting this recipe by request, but be aware that it has uncooked eggs in it. Eat at your own risk!

CHOCOLATE TORTE
Makes an 8x8 pan - double recipe for a 13x9

Line bottom of pan with a graham cracker crust. You can make your own or buy graham crumbs at the grocer's and follow the instructions on the box.

In electric mixer, combine:
1/2 lb real butter, softened and whipped at high speed
2 c confectioner's sugar, sifted (add a little at a time at low speed)
3 eggs at room temperature (add one at a time until fully incorporated)

Add:
3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts

Pour into pan on top of graham crust and smooth. Chill until firm (about 2 hours) or freeze. Great recipe for making ahead, but take it out of the freezer a couple of hours ahead of time.