Baby it's cold outside.........

Around this time of year, Tony and I have the honor to be involved with a great organization, Taste of the NFL.  They put on a great "party  with a purpose" the night before the Super Bowl.  The evening is all about hunger relief and this event benefits food banks in the SuperBowl city and around the country.  The evening is full of fun, food, wine and football.  35 of the country's best chefs are paired with alumni football players from each NFL team.  Tony was the chef from Indianapolis for 15 years before he passed the torch to Chef Greg Hardesty.  Now Tony is helping in a different capacity, he is a chef coordinator for the event.  A lot of work, but also a lot of fun!  The event is held in Brooklyn on Feb 1 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Pier 12. NFL Fans and foodies can gather among an estimated 3000 guests.  

I'm really excited about being involved and be able to travel to New York, but why does it have to be sooooo cold!  Usually the Super Bowl is held in a warmer climate, even Indianapolis was warm (er)! It will still be a great time and for a great cause!  And my girls will be there, yeah!

We are hoping to check out Eataly in New York, Arthur street in Brooklyn and who knows where else we end up...I'll have stories to tell.

Because it is so cold, I found a great recipe to warm your bones....and your sweet tooth

From one of my favorite Chef/authors, Lidia Bastianich

Chocolate Soup

4 cups whole milk

1/4 cups all purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar, grated or chopped fine

Peel of 1 orange, in thick strips

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup cocoa powder

Toasted brioche or plain cookies, for serving

Bring the milk just to a simmer in a sloped sided medium pot.  Ladle about 1/2 cup of the milk into a small bowl and whisk in the flour to make a smooth paste.  Whisk he flour paste back into the hot milk until smooth.  Add the sugar, orange peel, butter, vanilla, and salt and bring back to a simmer.

Pour cocoa powder into a medium bowl.  While whisking, gradually pour about 1 cup of the hot milk into the cocoa.  Whisk until smooth, then whisk the cocoa and milk back into the pot.  Bring the soup to a simmer, whisking constantly and making sure you get into the corners of the pot.  Let simmer until thickened about 3 minutes.  Strain through a sieve into a clean pot.  Serve hot in bowls, with brioche or plain cookies for dipping.

Try to stay warm, and hopefully Spring is right around the corner!!