Pi Day, Pie Day

Pi Day, 3.14 or March 14th is a day to celebrate both the math in our lives and the great food in our lives. I can't think of another day that is really just about math and food. What an interesting mix. I think that all good baking requires a bit of math, making a pie on Pi Day seems to be a great way to celebrate.

I have procrastinated and I haven't picked my pie yet. I could always go to the store and BUY a pie, but that just doesn't feel right to me. There are so many types of pies, too. And of course, everyone in my family likes a different kind of pie. There are fruit pies and pecan pies and fluffy creamy pies. I'm leaning, this will be no surprise, to a pie that has some chocolate involved.

My husband, David, suggested I make a savory pie, like a quiche. That could be good, but I would probably be the only one in my family to eat it. It is too time consuming to make a pie that only I will eat.

Maybe I'll just have to make up a new pie. This one will be vegan, so that my Ella daughter can eat it, have fruit, so that my Ada daughter will eat it. Alas, it will have to have some chocolate so that I will want to eat it. I hope it turns out. Regardless, it's a great way to enjoy March 14th!

Yours in chocolate,

Emily
The Truffle Lady

Tuesday Tip: Bark at the Walls

It's January and you may find yourself snowed into the house. Do not despair because a chocolate moment is close at hand. Making bark may be one of the easiest things that you can do with a bag of chocolate chips. The idea behind this recipe is that I will give you inspiration and you will make the recipe to your taste. Therefore, the possibilities are endless. You can make one kind this week and another type next week (when you are snowed in again.) Feel free to experiment, it's that kind of recipe.

Emily's Bark

1 bag of chocolate chips (12 oz.)
1 cup of (pick one):
roasted pecan pieces
roasted almond pieces
walnut pieces
peanuts
1/2 cup of (pick one):
dried cherries
raisins
shredded coconut

or
1 1/2 cup of your favorite cookie crumbled into pieces
i.e. oreos, chocolate chip, graham crackers, ginger snaps, etc.

or
1 1/2 cup of one of the following
pretzel pieces, crunchy cereal of your choice, granola,
thin mint candy or candy canes in small pieces

Take the bag of chocolate chips and empty into a large microwave safe measuring cup or small bowl. Stick into the microwave on power 8 for 1 minute. Stir and put back in and do the same. Stir until completely melted. Add your combination of ingredients. I made the roasted pecan and dried cherries version. Stir until all the ingredients are incorporated into the melted chocolate.
Take a square brownie pan and line with wax paper. Spoon your chocolate concoction onto the wax paper and spread out so it covers the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. Refrigerate. It should be ready in about a half hour or so. Whatever you don't eat instantly,cut into squares and put into an airtight container and stick into the fridge so you have a nice treat after the next round of shoveling.

Note: *I made the bark with pecan pieces. It is also possible to make the bark with whole nuts. I would not recommend using ground nuts for this recipe.
*Mix and match ingredients according to your taste palette.

What combinations do you like?

Yours in chocolate,

Emily
The Truffle Lady