X is for Xtreme

OK I'm in a rush again. I work Saturday's so posting on this day is killer for me. Today's letter was x which as I'm sure you know limited me in what I could do for food. So I decided to go xtreme today....What's more decadant and xtreme than chocolate?

The following recipe is for the chocoholic. This chocolate milkshake is perfect for the hot weather we are about to have



Xtremely Chocolately Milk Shake
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
Chocolate Ice Cream (belgium chocolate or dark chocolate works great)
Milk
Chocolate syrup
Mini chocolate chips/sprinkles.
Whipped cream


In blender place ice cream, cocoa powder, a generous amount of chocolate syrup, and milk. Blend till smooth. Start off with small amounts of milk and add till you get your favorite consistency. In a tall clear glass swirl chocolate syrup along the walls of the glass. Pour in milk shake and top with whip cream and a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles.

E is for Espresso

So I debated today about what I wanted post food wise. There are the obvious choices of eggs and eggplant or the lesser thought of endive and escarole. But today I decided to appease my coffee loving friends. I would like to note that I personally do not like espresso/coffee nor do I like the smell of it. However I do understand why so many love it.


Espresso is low in calories and high in caffeine. So it can make for a great wake me up perk but in some it can cause irritability, stomach problems, head aches, and restlessness.



For today's recipe I decided to harken back to my college days. I had a roommate who adored coffee. Morning noon and night you would find her drinking it down like it was the last cup of coffee in the world. I remember one summer her making herself some popsicles with a leftover pot of coffee. Of course being college students she added some Kahlua to it. So here's to Amber where ever she may be.Warning the following recipe is for adults only as it contains alcohol.

Icy Espresso Kahlua Pops
3 cups cooled espresso
1/2 cup milk (may omit or adjust to your favorite level of lightness)
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons Kahlua (may omit or change level to preference)
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons light brown sugar (may adjust to favorite level of sweetness)

Mix together all ingredients and pour into either molds or dixie cups. If you use dixie cups just gently place aluminum foil over top then poke Popsicle stick through the center. The foil will keep it in place so that it freezes in the middle of he pop. Freeze overnight until solid.