This is a luscious dessert; with all things sinful. Let your teeth bite into a layer of dark chocolate, and pleasure yourself with the soft soaked intoxicating  interior; the kind that makes you close your eyes and feel that warm feeling running through you. A decadent dessert, perfect for the holidays and parties.

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Yes we have said adieu to summer, there is a slight nip in the air, & I love it. My yard  looks bathed, happy & fresh. Finally it is sinking in that Fall is here.  The tomatoes are growing, so are the bell peppers & hot peppers & other little things.

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(A little update here:  Since this post has been in my draft, I had to add this before I posted.. for I am thrilled today. Michelle picked my Blueberry Gelato for the Host Award, DMBLGIT September 2009. Yaaaa:-D)

I waited all summer very very patiently, but at last my dreams came true.

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The kids are back to school. Summer is at the tail end; in Texas we will still have a few weeks of heat  & then the more pleasant weather creeps in. Hot it is here, but I still feel sorry to see the summer go.The Labor Day, almost officially announced that summer will be gone soon, & gone will be the delightful fruits, berries, the warmth & the colors.

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A local street food of Italy, in the Liguria Region, Farinata is definitely a comfort food that feeds your soul too. It is thicker than a crepe, thinner than a pancake, more like a thin crust pizza base & can be eaten like a pizza – plain, stuffed or topped. Very similar to the Indian Lentil Crepes like Chillas & Adais, Farinata is a GLUTEN FREE delight, made of chickpea flour.

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Pasta meals are easy, quick & easily adaptable the way we want & with whatever we have at hand. Pasta, esp. spaghetti please my kids very easily & have become a thing to turn to quite often during the weeknights. I never buy store bought pasta sauce. It might take me extra 10 -15 minutes to make the sauce at home, but it is really worth it. The best thing about pasta is that they can be the delish all inclusive one pot meals, which means I do not have to cook anything else, other than may be a side salad.

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We are big time Garlic eaters. Some of you must already be running away:-D but yes we are. Raw garlic might stink but roasted garlic is much mellowed down & beautifully aromatic. They are smooth & creamy & jazz up a lot of food without too much work. I love to eat them straight roasted, use them in breads or on breads, big time in pasta & pasta sauces, soups, or just as appetizers – try them with pepper & salt, you will be amazed.

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A phone conversation, & a Home Delivery gone wrong…

It’s Friday evening…After pulling thru’ the 5 long weekdays, it’s finally here. Chilled Beer (lemonade for kids) & an evening out with friends in a local pizzeria is one option, the other one being having a quiet family time with a pizza home delivery. So one of these Fridays we opted on having that Oh! so precious (Quiet? no way!) family time & some thought of “custom pizza”.

I put the beer cans in the refrigerator, hubby goes up to pick a movie which we hope we can all enjoy together (mind it we have kids), & I pick up the phone and dial the number while I fish out the Pizza Coupon… here starts the drama-If you are like us ( “Picky Pizza People”) you would know what I am talking about.

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It is a hilarious time on the dining table when the little children are eating spaghetti. Funny & messy too, but once in a while I let my kids have that messy time while they eat, for they do enjoy the spaghetti while they are having fun.  Those long unmanageable strings hanging down from the fork & then from their mouth and the intentionally “ZOOOOP”, when they all disappear inside at one shot behind that gleeful smile. For some reason when it is spaghetti, they always want to feed themselves. The twinkling mischievious looks, the sauce studded mouth & a full tummy.. well it is worth it.

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Back to Pre School basics – Red & Blue makes Purple. For almost a month I had been brainstorming to cook something purple or black. Harini’s (sunshinemom) FIC event of this month almost made me loose my sleep. Whenever there is a challenge, I do not feel like cooking something which I have done before. It is always more fun to experiment & come up with something new. Thats the whole purpose, isn’t it?

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