Monthly Archives: March 2014

Mar11

Venezuelan Chocolate Pancakes

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This recipe is an homage to brunch, which is one of those occasions when anything goes; in other words, be as indulgent and naughty as you like because it is certainly not the time to count calories or grams of fat. Feel free to add blueberries, nuts, and sultanas if the fancy takes you. The syrup can be made days or even weeks in advance and stored in the fridge.

Venezuelan Chocolate Pancakes

PREP TIME: 5 min
TOTAL TIME: 40 min
SERVINGS: 4-6

Ingredients

For the Pancakes
1 ounce Venezuelan 100% (unsweetened) dark chocolate, grated
1 1/3 cups buckwheat or spelt flour
1 large organic egg
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon light muscovado or brown sugar
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
unsalted butter; melted, as needed

For the Syrup
pinch of sea salt
Scant 1 cup pure maple syrup
3 1/2 ounces 70% dark chocolate, chopped

Directions

1. Place all the pancake ingredients (except the butter) in a blender or food processor and process until a smooth, thick batter is formed. Leave the batter to rest while you make the syrup.

For the Syrup

1. Dissolve the salt in 2 tablespoons water in a saucepan over a gentle heat, then add the maple syrup and bring to a simmer. Pour over the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and whisk well until smooth.

For the Pancakes

1. Heat a crêpe pan or nonstick large frying pan until quite hot and grease with butter. Spoon 1/4-cup portions of the batter into the griddle, spacing them well apart.
2. Cook over medium heat until you see bubbles on the surface of the pancake, then carefully turn over and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
3. Place the pancakes on a plate and cover with foil until you have cooked the entire batch.
4. Serve the pancakes laced with the warm syrup – be generous as the pancakes soak up a lot!

Credit: Adventures With Chocolate

Mar10

Why I’m Missing Candice Glover!

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Well, American Idol sure sucks so far this year. And I am so confused… I am waiting for some breakout surprise act, but until then, there’s always Candice Glover!! #musicfriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!

Mar10

Escada Fall 2014 RTW Collection

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Escada released their Fall 2014 lookbook and once again, they delivered an elegant and commercially appealing collection. I love the jewel toned palette, and the relaxed and thoroughly modern silhouettes. #fashionfriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!!

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Credit: Style Pantry

Mar10

Seeking Execution

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Seeking Execution

Seeking execution is a man
Who wants to die again
Without consequence – does not consider
Pallbearers of his conscience

A fugitive of personal crimes
Runs from the man
He cannot be –
His front looks real
But it dilutes and cheats him of substance

The ordinary man turns himself in
Like a “latch key” abusing free time –
He will decline appeal and gamble
That the verdict brings him pleasure
His reflection shows the line-up
That looks back on him without live rounds
Ready to destroy his character

Mar9

Peter Jensen “Faye Dunaway” Inspired 2014 Fall Collection

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Faye Dunaway’s many glamorous film characters was the inspiration behind Peter Jensen’s 2014 Fall Collection. This collection also features the Beverly Hills Hotel Pool as the backdrop. #fashionfriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!

Fay Dunaway Inspired

Credit: Fashion Pantry

Mar9

Chocolate Lasagna

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Take a look at this gorgeous Chocolate Lasagna. I am an OREO cookie fanatic, so those cookies layered with COOL WHIP, pudding and cream cheese make for an extraordinary dessert. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM you are in for a treat with this one!

Chocolate Lasagna

PREP TIME: 20 min plus refrigerating
SERVINGS: 24

Ingredients

35 Oreo Cookies
6 tbsps butter (melted)
8 ozs cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsps milk (cold)
12 ozs Cool Whip Whipped Topping (thawed, divided)
4 ozs chocolate instant pudding
3 1/4 cups milk (cold)

Directions
Process cookies in food processor until fine crumbs form. Transfer to medium bowl; mix in butter. Press onto bottom of 13×9 inch dish. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Whisk cream cheese, sugar and 2 Tbsp. milk in medium bowl until blended. Stir in 1 ¼ cups COOL WHIP; spread over crust.

Beat pudding mixes and 3 ¼ cups milk with whisk 2 min.; pour over cream cheese layer. Let stand 5 min. or until thickened; cover with remaining COOL WHIP. Sprinkle with additional crushed OREO cookies if desired. Refrigerate 4 hours.

How to Easily Cut Into Squares:
Place dessert in freezer about 1 hour before cutting into squares to serve.

How to Soften Cream Cheese:
Place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese on microwaveable plate. Microwave on HIGH 15 sec. or until slightly softened.

Mar9

Sunday Reflections

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Isaiah 41:6 Each one helps his neighbor And says to his brother, “Be strong!”

Take Every Chance

Mar8

E&B World Music Showcase

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Happy International Women’s Day! It’s been a perfect day for listening to an assortment of African music. #musicfriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!

Prophets of Da City (POC) is a hip hop crew from Cape Town, South Africa. They are composed of about eight members, though the exact membership fluctuates frequently; these include Ishmael Morabe (vocals), Mark Heuvel (dance), Shaheen Ariefdien, Ramone and DJ Ready D. Their style uses elements of hip hop music, reggae and traditional African rhythms. Their albums include Our World (1990), Boom Style (1992), Age of Truth (1993), Phunk Phlow (1994), Universal Souljaz (1995), and Ghetto Code (1997). They are currently signed under the independent record label Ghetto Ruff. Credit: Wikipedia

Nomfusi was born in the township of KwaZhakele in the Eastern Cape. Her single mother, Kwazibani (“Who Knows?” in English) raised her while her father languished in jail for 21 years. A domestic worker by day, Kwazibani was a sangoma (African medicine woman) with a gift for music. Nomfusi would accompany her mother to the weekly sangoma rituals (“Intlombe”) where Nomfusi would develop her musicality by dancing and singing for hours. Today she is a two time SAMA nominee, Metro FM Award nominee and has multiple local and international tours under her belt. Credit: Wikipedia

Sonny Okosun (January 1, 1947 in Enugu, Nigeria– May 24, 2008 in Washington DC) was a musician from Nigeria. His surname is sometimes spelled Okosuns and first name Sunny. He was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s to mid ’80s.

His first band, The Postmen, was formed in Enugu in 1965. In 1969 he joined Melody Maestros, a band led by Victor Uwaifo. From 1972 to 1974 he led a group known as Paperback Limited and then formed a new band, Ozziddi. From then on, he released several albums either with Ozziddi, or solo recordings.

His 1977 song, “Fire in Soweto”, became a major international hit. He was featured in the anti-apartheid album Sun City, and his song “Highlife” was in the soundtrack of 1986 film Something Wild. His mainstream success started to fade in the late 1980s, but he continued his career as a gospel musician under the name Evangelist Sonny Okosun

He died aged 61 on 24 May 2008 at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC. His musical styles ranged included reggae, highlife, Afro-funk and gospel among others. He made music in the Edo language, Igbo language, Yoruba language and English. Credit: Wikipedia

Mar8

Valentino Fall 2014 RTW Collection

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Valentino’s fall collection was yet another master class in showing a diversity of themes in one collection, that managed to maintain continuity despite the mash of ideas. The show opened with a decisively mod theme. Optic patterns and bold graphic colors eventually gave way to more familiar territory, with subdued yet structured pieces infused with jacquard filled butterflies, and billowing caftans.

The show progressed into hallmark pieces, like delicate tulle and chiffon maxi dresses with lace and embroidered floral and animal motifs. The entire collection promises to be coveted by the sartorial set. Ultimately we think that Valentino can do no wrong. #fashionfriendsofTenaciousM Enjoy!!

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Credit: Style Santry

Mar8

Dream Treat -Loaded Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

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This cheesecake is for chocolate lovers. A chocolate-chip-filled center is surrounded by a a crust of chocolate chip cookies and topped with delicious chocolate shavings. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!

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Serves: 8 Edit

Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 50 min

Ingredients

Crust
1 package(s) (16 ounces) chewy chocolate chip cookies

Cheesecake
3 block(s) (8 ounces each) cream cheese
3 eggs
3/4 cup(s) sugar
8 ounce(s) semisweet chocolate chips

Topping
1 cup(s) sour cream
4 teaspoon(s) sugar
1 teaspoon(s) cocoa

Garnish
1 bar(s) (4 ounces) semisweet chocolate

Directions

1. For Crust: Line the bottom and side of a spring form pan with cookies. Place cookies so the tops of them are facing out.

2. For Cheesecake: Preheat oven to 350°F.

3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy. Add chocolate chips and beat until mixed in well.

4. Pour mixture into chocolate-chip-cookie-lined spring form pan. Bake for 40 minutes (be careful not to overbake), cool, then refrigerate. The cheesecake will thicken in the fridge.

5. For Topping: Mix sour cream, sugar, and cocoa in small bowl. Spread on cheese cake and refrigerate.

6. For Garnish: Make chocolate shavings from chocolate bar. Cover cheese cake, with shavings just before serving.