5 Fun Things Friday

1. Sunday Brunch at the Birchwood Cafe. With items such as the Pear, Parmesan & Black Barley Waffle or the Buttermilk Crepes (allspice-poached apples, caramel nutmeg mascarpone, cider vinegar reduction & candied walnuts), the place is a force to be reckoned with.

2. This hot chocolate recipe will keep you warm in more ways than one ;) It is absolutely DELICIOUS, reminding me very much of a certain Spicy Mexican Mocha.

Spicy Hot Chocolate

Recipe from Fork, Knife & Spoon
(serves 2)

2 cups milk
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1-1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2oz chocolate, broken into pea-sized bits (I used milk chocolate chips)

Whisk together milk, cayenne pepper, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, and sugar. Over low heat, bring to a boil watching carefully. Remove from heat, add chocolate pieces and cover, waiting two minutes and stirring until chocolate melts and incorporates into liquid. Add vanilla and pour into mugs. (BTW, I popped a few marshmallows under the broiler to give them that "fresh off the fire" feel.)

3. With it being Lent & all, I thought some of you might be interested in a new fish place or two. I've heard very good things about Mac's Fish-Chips-Strips in St. Paul and Cafe Twenty Eight in Minneapolis. Too, the Church of St. Albert the Great has been recognized by City Pages and a couple local news channels and has been referred to as THE BEST Friday night fish fry.

4. Looking for someplace REALLY SPECIAL to celebrate your wedding anniversary? Perhaps a second honeymoon? One of these Rhode Island beach cottages would make *the perfect* retreat for two.

5. The Smitten Kitchen. Love this website, especially this Pumpkin Bread Pudding recipe and these Homemade Pop Tarts.

Happy Friday!!