Hot Fudge Sauce

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 to 4 Tablespoons Jack Daniel's whiskey, (optional)

Heat the cream and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. When the sugar is dissolved, add the butter, chocolate chips, and bittersweet chocolate and stir over medium-low heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the salt. Remove the fudge sauce from the heat and stir in the Jack Daniel's. Keep warm until ready to slice and serve the pie, or cover and store in the refrigerator up to 1 month. The sauce can be reheated in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat as often as necessary.

Pasta with Mushrooms

I made this recipe when we had the Degan's and Moore's over for dinner. All the mushroom lovers enjoyed it, and Alex has requested it as a staple recipe. You must try it, and a word of warning, it does have a spicy kick, yum!

Pasta with Mushrooms

4 Tablespoons butter
2 small dried chilli peppers, chopped, seeds included
14 ounces sliced mushrooms, such as field, shiitake or button
3/4 cup vegetable or mushroom stock
3/4 cup cream
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
14 ounces fetteccine or linguine
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped basil (I used whole leaf spinach instead)
cracked black pepper and sea salt

Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the butter, chilli peppers and mushrooms and cook for 5+ minutes or until the mushrooms are brown. Add the stock, cream and lemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering, place the pasta in a large saucepan of lightly salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain. Toss the pasta with the mushroom sauce, Parmesan, basil (or spinach), pepper and salt. Serves 4.

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

I was reading my Bon Appetit' magazine and saw this recipe and wanted to try it! It sounds delicious!!

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

2/3 cup Pomegranate juice
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup Cointreau or other orange flavored liqueur
3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/2 Tablespoon powdered sugar
Ice cubes
4 lime twists

Place first 4 ingredients in cocktail shaker. Add ice; shake to chill. Strain into Martini glasses; garnish with lime twists.