The original hed was "How many people does it take to prep for a date?" but I can dress myself so the apparent answer is three. One to go on the date and two to 1) make jokes/make photographs and 2) mix drinks.
I've had two second dates in the past 10 days. Coincidentally, both times two friends popped by: Kim and Priscilla. God love 'em. Last Friday they showed up to get me all tipsystoned and silly for one date. Date went swimmingly well.
I had another second date last night. Right on time, the GF's show up. I was cooking for JM; pizza (with cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil) and a Chocolate Mousse for dessert.
Pizza I can make in my sleep. But, since I'm not a sweets eater, the dessert could prove challenging. Mousse seemed like a good idea, not too crazy, perfectly portable, not messy.
It's easy. Melt chocolate, cream and butter. Whip cream. Combine. I got the recipe from the pastry chef at work. She's a very reliable source.
It was 5, the date was coming at 8. The gals and I were chatting while I made the mousse. I melted choc. cream and butter; whipped cream. But..... I walked away to find my drink and the damn choc mix broke! Nasty glob of gritty chocolate on the bottom, an inch of oil on the top. Shit shit shit.
Lucky me, I had about 50 years of combined food experience in my kitchen. I cursed and got another drink while Kim started to mend the mess (Priscilla was on the fire escape making pictures of her red boots). Kim beat in some cream and an egg yolk. I stopped cursing and joined in, fixing it the way I'd fix a savory sauce; reduce cream and slowly add the broken mess to the thick cream. Which is what we did. We then cooled the chocolate base and folded it into the whipped cream. Success! The mousse was mended and wonderful.
So was the date ;-)
Upcoming cooking challenges:
Pimento peppers, Gonna roast them and can them with olive oil. Should be yummy
Chocolate Mousse, gotta master the mousse before I make a very special, multi-part cake for another special guy (lets call him JL). Here's the cake link he sent me. I accept the challenge. I will attempt the cake.
