Chinese Food And Kitties

 It's funny how animals have certain human or people food they love.Cats are especially guilty of this. They will eat anything and everything that their pet parents have.

This was true for my little king Otto who passed early yesterday morning. He had his favorites, chicken skewers from our local Chinese restaurant, Popeye's and anything from Acme or Stop and Shop.He did have to stick to his urinary tract diet. a special food hey never really too to . He had been in an dout of the animal hospital with various UTI infections. The staff there knew him well and even then I went to they nearby Stew Leonards to get him fried chicken.I'd eat the crunch skin part while I'd cut up the meat for him to eat. Like anyone else, he hated hospital food. He loved stealing Nutri from the other cats and he adored his Friskies broths and shreds. It was human food though that Otto adored. He'd come out when one friend would visit us and we'd order.I;d always order chicken skewers for him and for Lucky .Otto would devour a whole skewer's worth of chicken. He loved those crispy  crunchy pieces.He also like East Wok's shrimp in lobster sauce but not as much as with chicken.

He also went wild for Popeye's I'd always get the three piece dinner, eating the leg and part of the wing there along with their crunch coating . Everything else would be for Otto and for Lucky too. Both loved the succulent juicy meat.I 'd make sure they received as many pieces as they could eat - which for cats were a lot.As with any cat Otto loved his ham so I would buy the containers of ham ends from my local Acme, They were solid chunks that had t be sliced into little pieces for easy eating. Otto would eat piles of these along with the chopped turkey Acme also sold. He also had a fondness for Country Crock plant based butter as did Lucky. Both loved receiving teaspoons of it after they had their meds. Otto also did  love frosting . He licked an entire tablespoon of buttercream that I had scraped off a cupcake. Cat parents however have to be careful with how they feed their kitties treats. It's fine once in a great while but not too often.I know I overindulged Otto but he was irresistible. I could not resist his kitty charms.

Cat parents should be diligent with feeding their babies the right food. It can result in  a lot of diseases such as heart and diabetes. A treat is good every once in a while.

For my beloved Otto, here's to all the chicken in heaven you're having.

Special Days Special Meals

 It is tough to celebrate anything these days. Restaurants have only limited capacity or offer dining in bubbles or tents which may or may not have heating. Your best bet is creating a birthday or anniversary lunch or dinner is at home. It can still be festive with special recipes and treats. Best of all you can control the menu for the small event.

The one thing about creating a special meal is deciding what you want. If you love grilled steak, then get the barbecue out and start grilling,. Make the cuts fancier with a round of garlic or herb butter melting on top. This is an easy mix of pressed garlic or milled herbs blended with butter and then the whole mix is shaped into a log and chilled until serving. It's then slicing the roll into half inch thick coins to be put onto the meat. You can also make these flavored butters for lobster or shrimp too as well as for salmon or tilapia. What to serve with the steak? Hasselback potatoes!! These glammed up spuds are the perfect accompaniment and can be easily made. You can use any potato for them, from Yukon Golds to Russets to Red Blisses. It's then  continually slicing each one twelve to fifteen times right before you hit the potato's bottom. Each slice should be about a quarter of an inch wide. Brush the entire spud with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake for thirty minutes and then brush them again with more melted (or flavored butter) to ensure crispy edges. Add a side dish of string beans almondine for added lushness. This classic French dish is the perfect marriage of slivered almonds and green beans with garlic and lemon zest. Finish with a rich devil's food cake with a ganache topping and whipped cream or a cinnamon laced apple or pear galette.

Of course a birthday or anniversary can be fun.One of the easiest fun dishes to make is bruschetta. This , in in its' simplest form, is chopped tomatoes mixed with basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This is spooned over oiled and toasted rounds of Italian and French bread. You could liven it up with a few hot pepper flakes or sweetened with chopped bell peppers. A variation involves cannellini beans and sun dried tomatoes or just the beans and grated lemon zest mixed with olive oil. Another idea is a charcuterie platter, perfect for a family of four or five. A board or large plate can hold a variety of different cold cuts. Think favorites such as salami and mortadella along with the fancier prosciutto. Have cheeses everyone likes, such as sharp cheddar and Brie. You could serve all of this with water crackers but they taste delicious with Italian or French . bread. Sparkling wine such as Prosecco works but you can also crack open whites wines and light bodied reds. Mexican food is a fun and tasty way to elevate any celebratory dinner. Think about shrimp or London broil stuffed fajitas or tacos instead of the usual ground beef or chicken. These two meats can also be incorporated into a big cheesy nacho dish too.End with spicy Mexican chocolate cupcakes and Kahkua spiked coffee.

You don;t need to eat out to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Fancy and fun dishes can be made at home . They're even better than any offering from your favorite eateries..

Cleansing Foods

Once you do a cleanse it's important to maintain that "cleanliness" in your body. That means strict dietary changes however they're for the best. What should you eat? What should you avoid?

Tomorrow I do my gallbladder cleanse. It may take more than one to thoroughly flush out my liver and gallbladder (most gallstones actually begin in the liver and should be called liver stones). It would be so easy to go back to old habits and favorite  but bad for me foods. Maybe occasionally I can have butter and white breads like when I order from Panera. Possibly I could have cold cuts now and then along with sandwich cookies. Yet I cannot make a diet of them as I've done in the past. Luckily I have gone off French fries  which are just super bad for any digestive organ. It's now cutting out the Popeye's any of the fried chicken along with tuna in olive oil. To soothe my gall bladder along with the rest of my digestive tract, I have to give up sugary foods and drinks. Again luckily I have a Soda Stream where I can make organic sodas with water and freshly squeezed fruit juices (I'm looking at a homemade cherry one). Snack candies like Tootsie Rolls and Milk Duds will be replaced with cherries and blueberries. Even avocados are off the table too, They contain too much fat.

There will be a new diet once my gallbladder and liver are thoroughly cleaned.  White flour products are definitely banned. Home bakers should take heed with this and consider rye or barley flour to bake your breads. The great flour and baking supply company ,King Arthur has these and they can even be used for cakes and cupcakes. This also applies to rice, where I'll be cooking more with brown rice and whole grains like quinoa along with veggie and bean based pastas. As for meats, cold cuts will be eliminated and a sandwich with freshly cooked meat will be subbed in. Subway can make up heroes with fresh chicken mixed with sliced veggies.I live in a semi vegetarian household so there is no dairy. I can have oat milk ice cream but with fresh cut fruit like strawberries or peaches. Tofu is also good for gall problems so I can still have Gardein products from their hamburgers to meatballs. Dining out will be tricky but it can be maneuvered. There's always grilled chicken salad with a simple vinaigrette or a variety of veggie sides sauteed in olive oil and garlic.



Any cleanse is exciting but also a chance to start anew. It's then just cutting out the bad foods while embracing the good. It's the best way to live for you and your digestive tract.

Treats From Your Kitchen

Now, more than ever, our kitchens are the most important rooms in our house. We can create good meals and fun snacks for ourselves. We can also brighten up others' lives with our creations. It's time to uses those ovens and stove tops for culinary gifts.

A hot meal is always appreciated. If you know someone , whether family or friend, who is struggling to put food on the table, then treat them to a full meal. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Think crockpot or Instapot sauce with pasta. Include a loaf of crusty Italian bread and a container of a lovely mixed salad, chock full of such veggies as broccoli and cauliflower. If you're a whiz at dough making, then make dough for pizza and calzones. Include sauce and cheese along with ricotta and ham for the calzones. Chili is also an easy make that can be doubled and even tripled. This is a great gift because the dish can be stretched with more meat or beans, allowing it to last and be repurposed for several meals. Any pasty or empanadas would be a nice change up. Cornish pasties can be filled with meat, veggies and cheese. A fun combo anyone would like is a filling made up of cheddar and onion. You could also create feta and spinach puffs using phyllo dough.

A fruit plate is a tasty and healthy choice. You can create your own Edible Arrangement. You just need cookie cutters , wooden skewers and chocolate chips. To get the chocolate as glossy and smooth as what Edible Arrangements uses, add coconut oil  to the chocolate for a shiny finish. If you're not that creative , then think about a homemade fudge. Fudge recipes can be as simple or elaborate as you want. You can whip up one that only requires chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk. Make it yummier with walnuts or chopped almonds added. For a sophisticated cook a white chocolate caramel fudge laced with pecans. Haystacks are another fun treat and it's an easy microwave make of melted chocolate chips mixed with toasted coconut. Then they're just dropped by the spoonful onto waxed paper or a greased cookie sheet. A tin of homemade cookies is always appreciated. Of course chocolate chips are the preferred favorite but if you can, vary them with some peanut butter and sugar cookies too. A box or container of cupcakes is always welcomed. Have the kids decorate them with cheery notes and decorations. These are the perfect leave on the step surprise for any first responders in your neighborhood.

A creative gift from your kitchen is much appreciated these days, it could be a got meal or a sweet treat. Any food is wanted and given from the heart.

The All Inclusive Backyard Party

The warm weather is the best time to get to know your neighbors. No one is cooped up. Everyone is out and about. Why not take it a step further and have an all inclusive backyard party. Friendships can be forged. recipes can be changed. Best of all lessons about inclusiveness can be learned.

Of course the most important part is the planning. Unlike a block party which requires a permit three months in advance, a backyard party can be put together even in a week.Put aside time on a Friday or Saturday for a meeting of where it will be held.It doesn't necessarily have to be in the biggest yard. You could set up tables  and folding chairs in the driveway and leave the backyard for contests and games.  Secondly, write down a list  of who's bringing what.The menu should be an all inclusive one, with neighbors and yourself cooking up family or ethnic dishes. Remember that neighborhoods are international these days and there are going to be a lot of delicious dishes from around the world. Encourage people to bring their family's best recipes. Also consider dietary restrictions and allergies for both adults and kids. It's up to the planning committee if alcohol will be served. Serve it if everyone is OK with it. Usually barbecues or outdoor meals usually call for just beer for the grown ups and soda and juice for the kids.The same goes for meat which certain religions forbid. You may want to go for an all vegan bash.

Apart from neighbors bringing in their family dishes there should be typical summer foods too. Have plenty of hot dogs and burgers for the kids and diehard barbecue lovers. Different sausages such as brats and Italian sausages can be cooked for something different. If you're making the last make sure you have sauteed peppers and onions too for a good hoagie sandwich. Your neighbors may bring over unusual  with non traditional meats like mutton or goat. Embrace the difference. You and your family will expand their culinary tastes as well as you picking up a new recipe.Also have some classic American sides like macaroni salad which is easy to make. If that's one dish to make too many consider picking up a tub of it from your local supermarket or deli.  Throw in potato salad and coleslaw too, if no one is making those. A fun dish that's universal is roasted corn. Have differently flavored butters, such as lemon and tarragon on hand for easy slathering. As for  desserts, you can't go wrong with watermelon wedges. They're refreshing and a favorite. You could buy a Sno Cone machine and make frozen treats for everyone. They're only $44 on Amazon and will probably used many more times. Homemade ice cream cake is another treat as are homemade ice cream cupcakes.

A neighborhood backyard party is a fun way to meet the neighbors and try new dishes. Barriers can be torn down and new friendships forged. It's also a great way of celebrate the summer.

Mix Versus Scratch

There is a huge controversy going on right now -and it's not what baby box Sussex will be named. It involves cakes mixes versus the all natural scratch cakes. Both have merits.Both have their detractions. What's a home baker to do?

Scratch cakes have been around since Roman times when special breads were baked with honey, butter and eggs. The18th, 19th and the first thirty years of the 20th Century saw housewives mixing ingredients such as eggs, flour, sugar  and butter into crude pans and baking them. They were eaten no matter how they turned out. The 1930's saw the birth of cake mix and it took twenty years for it to be a household staple.Now there's an internet controversy about which is better. Many home bakers- especially moms of young children - prefer using scratch recipes. The ingredients are natural plus they can change the recipe to suit gluten and allergy problems.One of the pluses of the internet age is that there are tons of scratch cake recipes from basic chocolate and vanilla to rum and strawberry flavors.Thanks to grocery stores , Amazon and King George's Flour ,all ingredients such as corn starch and vanilla pods can be found. Yet , despite  all this are scratch cakes better? Is the taste better? What about the crumb?

I baked both scratch and mix cakes during my lamb experiment.What produced a better bite? The box mixes, of course. As with scratch ones I could alter the recipe, getting rid of the vegetable oil, adding double the amount of eggs along with including a cup of cold water. The crumb was dense and moist, perfect for the lamb cake and a good foil for the super sweet icing that would frost the lamb.The baked vegan lamb was not that great tastewise. The recipe was from Vegan Cooking In Colorado which was taken from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World and modified. (I bought the cupcake book and will be experimenting with its recipes soon). To me there was too much almond extract - four teaspoons - that gave the cake a sickly sweet taste. The crumb was so delicate that the lamb's head fell off. Maybe the recipe would have worked  for cupcakes or layer cakes. The color was very pale too. There was no richness there. The mix cakes - all Duncan Hines blended with Dream Whip had this , possibly because of the addition of Dream Whip. I won't rule out homemade cakes yet when I want to impress  - then it's a Duncan Hines cake mix all the way.

What's the best recipe to use when making a cake? That's really up to the home baker. What works for one baker may not work for the other.As with cooking the answers lies with experimenting.

It's Still Winter, Eat Hearty

March usually brings about all things spring, from ads for lawn furniture and shorts  to the first delicate blooms. Yet it's still winter and that means warming food and drinks.Don't get the grill out yet - unless you want to cook in the middle of an ice storm.

What is great about the cold blustery winds of this month is that it brings on hankerings for comfort food. You can still make rib sticking stews and casseroles.If you're tired of what you've been eating for the past three months change up the recipes. Now is a great time to try that French classic cassoulet.This is a lush, flavorful blend of duck confit cooked with cannellini beans, onions and pork.Crushed tomatoes give it color and zing. Make it one cold Saturday night,and have plenty of toasted French bread to sop it up.If cassoulet is too much then stick with what you know and then vary it. Baked macaroni and cheese can be spiced up with everything from a sprinkle of paprika between layers to adding a layer of crumbled chorizo. Try adding julienned ham slices or bacon slices. Experiment with different kind of cheeses such as a sharp New England or smoked Gouda . Change up the pasta Sub in gemelli or rotelli instead of the usual elbow macaroni. Spaghetti, too, another great meal for a snowy day can get some variety too. Add kale to the sauce for some color and nutrition. Try a vodka - arrabiata hybrid sauce instead of the usual tomato one.

Cold March days are good for baking too. Since the month is associated with everything Irish, think about baking Irish soda bread.It's only four ingredients : flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. It's also an easy bake that requires very little kneading and no  proofing. You can add raisins to vary the flavor. Another Saint Patrick's Day treat is a batch of stout cupcakes. These are a fun activity on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon. It's basically a chocolate cupcake with a kick. Make a stout -fudge frosting to really liven them up.Stout can also be baked into brownies as a way to make the recipe exciting.March also brings about Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.Mardi Gras has the King Cake, a sweet and spiced  bread that's topped with a rich tri color icing and a plastic baby inside. Make it without the icing and baby for a breakfast or brunch bread. Shrove Tuesday is the same day as Mardi Gras. , March 5th. A hearty stack of breakfast for dinner pancakes would be appreciated and enjoyed by the whole family.Try your hand at thick ,hearty whole wheat or buckwheat ones.Try them as savory, stuffed with ricotta and ham or sweet with Nutella.

It's still winter. It's still time to make hearty dishes and desserts that will keep you well fed and warm. Try some cold weather classics while there's still a chill in the air.

Shutdown Support

We are in the middle of a rare government shutdown. Thousands of families are affected, thanks to a president bent on getting his ways. We need to support all those workers  in whatever way possible.

There are many ways to help out. Making a casserole or large shepherd's pie  is always welcome. It'll not only feed the family but also provide leftovers. Another idea is hosting family dinners or inviting the kids over for a Taco Tuesday or Meat Loaf Monday .  For a really nice treat, take them out to their favorite  restaurant. Getting together, even with the kids , is a great way to temporarily forget what's going on.It'll save on food bills for the affected families.Many families may balk at the idea of charity however there are a couple of ways around this. One is telling them you'll save them a shopping trip and shop for them. Tell them that they can pay you later when the shutdown ends. You can also give them a belated holiday gift in the form of a gift certificate for their favorite supermarket. $100 dollars may not buy a lot these days but it's enough to get the basics, from fresh fruit and vegetables to toilet paper and paper towels.If the whole neighborhood or family chips in, there could be close to five hundred dollars of gift certificates. This could last a couple of weeks  if those affected are frugal.

This idea can also apply to smaller food purveyors and restaurants.Bakeries can definitely help out with whatever overage they have. There are so many loaves and rolls  that will be turned into breadcrumbs.Even offering a free cookie or cupcake helps and brings even just a glint of  happiness.Family owned restaurants can give certain percentages off on lunches and dinners. Diners can follow suit as well.Since some food pantries will also be affected , smaller shops can donate meats, fruits and vegetables.Mid size companies that produce pasta and ice cream could also donate along with any of the artisanal  food producers.As for food pantries, a very good portion are welcoming those hurt by the shutdown.There's no shame in accepting help .It will just be temporary and food pantries can provide the sustenance needed during these hard times.

We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected by this shutdown.Unlike our government, we will be there for them.We will make sure they do not want.

The Best Grain Free Recipe Book

Grain free living doesn't have to have the limitations that normally go with restricted diets.Thanks to a new and innovative cookbook,those with gluten and grain allergies can not only have delicious meals but mouth watering snacks too. It's packed with advice, info and best of all those yummy recipes.

Laura Fuentes, creator of the Momables Meal plan where parents can get recipes and ideas delivered to their inboxes has written a cookbook similar to them. The Best Grain-Free Family Meals On The Planet (Quanto Publishing Group USA) is based on her experiences dealing with her own gluten allergies as well as her children's,They all needed healthier eating for a better life and that required less processed food and more natural.What is most helpful is the section, called Real Life and Food that  addresses picky eaters and what to do at social functions.She recommends bringing all the dishes out on he table and letting the kids choose what looks good to them.As for social functions it's best to bring a lunchbox or thermos. That way the hosts don't have the worry about guests reacting to certain dishes.Ms. Fuentes also has a list of essentials for a complete grain free pantry and how home chefs can clean out theirs. There is a section about where to get ingredients from , growing them to hitting farmers' markets to becoming a member of shopping clubs CostCo and Sam's Club  offer a trove of fresh produce  along with healthy oils and spices. She also recommends shopping online too. She writes about what tools to use and recommends getting a spiralizer, that fun kitchen tool, that turns zucchini into zuccheti along with the usual hand mixers and slow cookers.

The recipes are divided into sections, from breakfasts to lunchbox favorites. There are also  extensive chapters on family meals and snacks and treats. Kids won't have to sacrifice their favorite dishes , thanks to this cookbook. Breakfast recipes are silver dollar pancakes with coconut flour and blueberry maple breakfast sausages.There are also sorts of muffins ,from a peaches and cream one to a chocolate chip. Ms. Fuentes even has breakfast cookies and the exotic Middle Eastern egg and tomato dish shakshura. The lunchbox recipes are great for both school and those vacation days spent at home.Try the recipe for veggie falafels, made not with chickpeas, but with onion, cauliflower and zucchini.,bound together with almond flower.For a healthy lunch or snack make the seven layer Greek cups, loaded with feta, hummus and kalamata olives. Dinner recipes are equally fun . Kids and parents will love the quick mu shu pork and the shrimp scampi with spaghetti squash. There are recipes for zoodles or zucchetti.Ms. Fuentes even makes a ramen soup with them! Snacks and treats are many , each as tasty as the next. There are plantain and beet chips that will surely replace the bought potato ones. There are flourless bites made with raisins as the binder. These come in yummy flavors like cherry chocolate and apple pie along with coconut brownie. A homemade version of Nutella along with ice cream are also included as are grain free cupcakes with rich fudgy frosting.

The Best Grain-Free Family Meals On The Planet is a kitchen must have for those families with gluten allergies. The recipes are easy and tasty, sure to be family classics .Buy it today and start creating these grain free dishes!

A Cookie For A Veteran

Veteran's day was yesterday however it shouldn;t be for just one day. We should honor them year round.There are so many ways to do so, especially food wise Foodies unite and honor those who have fought for your freedom.

Bake sales are always a great way to help anyone.From school kids to church groups, a sale featuring homemade goodies is always a great way to raise money and awareness. You can even make patriotic flag or eagle cookies too, to remind people of why this event is happening. Patriotic cupcakes are also fun, especially if you ice them in the specific colors of our military forces. Candies such as fudge or chocolate dipped pretzel rods can also be on the venue. Set up coffee and hot water for tea urns along with tables and chairs for those who want to eat their treats right away.

Care packages have always fed our troops from the Revolutionary War to our current ones. You can easily make homemade cookies to remind the troops of home but also include gum and candy bars for a quick sugar burst. Sending healthy snacks like sunflower or pumpkin seeds along with fruit leathers can be better. You can have a variety of the last in different flavors. Add some batteries and cologne for some fun. Another idea is helping out at veteran's home whether in the kitchen or just bringing in coffee and cake for our retired servicemen.

Veteran's Day should be extended  to everyday and not just November 11th. Honor them with a bake sale or just hanging out at the veteran's home with some coffee and cake. The old saying of "an army travels on its' stomach "is true. Add to it  with your own spin/

Cupcake Nation

The cupcake has been in favor for a long time now. Everyone , from stars to soccer moms love it. It makes the perfect dessert along with making the perfect snack. The round shape and dome of icing remind us of happier times in our lives. Marcel Proust may have had his madeleines but we Yanks have our beloved cupcakes.

Cupcakes were born in the 19th Century. Their name derives from the fact that the ingredients were measured in cups as opposed to in pounds (hence how we get pound cake). Also ovens back then were not regulated and it took forever to bake an average cake. Home bakers found it easier to bake smaller cakes in what was known as gems or individual clay cups. The 20th Century gave us mass produced ones. The Hostess cupcake was introduced in 1919 but it wasn't until 1950 when the famous "squiggle on top" was introduced.

Cupcakes fell out of favor for a long time during the Seventies and Eighties. The Nineties ushered in the famous Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village.It reintroduced the cakes to a younger audience who had been fed factory made ones. Magnolia's cupcakes were different. They had a real homemade flavor, baked from scratch taste and topped with freshly made butter cream icing. Celebrities and their wannabes went wild for them and soon bakeries across Manhattan were imitating and even copying Magnolia's recipe. Thanks to this craze, everyone wanted cupcakes at their parties and get togethers. Williams and Sonoma, Target and even WalMart sell cupcake trees, tiered stands in which to prettily display the little cakes. Cupcake trees and pyramids are making their presence known at weddings with couples opting for cake s created out of four or five tiers of cupcakes.

The little treat has also been given gourmet status. Alongside of the traditional chocolate and vanilla ones , there are carrot, lemon poppy and red velvet. Nuts, raisins and chocolate chips have been added to give extra flair. Luckily the icing has remained the same with the traditional butter cream although the carrot and red velvet cupcakes have cream cheese. Sprinkles, pistachios and even gold dust (we're talking Hollywood cupcakes here) have been scattered on top.

Cupcakes are fun and easy to make. It's more time efficient to use a box of vanilla or chocolate cake mix. Icings can be easy as well. You can make your own (which tastes better than the canned stuff), using confectioner's sugar and butter as the base. Frosting can even be Cool Whip or pudding , depending on what you want to do. For butterfly cakes slice off the top of the cupcake , and split it in two. Ice the remaining cake and then stick the pieces in butterfly fashion into the cake's top. You can also ice these in a contrasting frosting and decorate to look like a butterfly.Another pretty idea is to swirl two colors of icing on top of the cupcake for a colorful pastel effect. This is perfect for showers or little girls' birthday parties. Of course for the holidays, nothing beats a cupcake party where you can dress up the cakes accordingly.

Cupcakes are sweet links to our innocent youth. They remind us that life can be fun and full of sweetness. There's nothing like treating yourself ot a homemade cupcake with a mound of butter cream frosting!!!!

Here is a recipe from The Boston Cooking School Cookbook My Mom bought it to add to her vast collection back in the Fifties. The recipes are still useful .

Chocolate Frosting

2 squares chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Put chocolate, butter and milk in top of a double boiler. Cook until chocolate melts. Stir well. Let stand until luke warm (about five minutes ). Beat in sugar until thick enough to spread.

If you want a richer frosting use cream instead of milk and add one egg yolk after chocolate has melted