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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

{Our Liz & Telepathy + AMAZING Chocolate Recipe!}

When our Liz came to visit us in December, she had a PERFECT gift for me. Sheer Telepathy... she and I LOVE red beets. So naturally she picked out a perfect high end linen & silk table runner with red beets on it; made in Israel. She must have gotten to know me very well over the past 43 years... Just look at the photos as this will reveal some AMAZING Chocolate Recipe (listed below). HOW did Liz KNOW?! When scrolling down you will learn more about this silk table runner...
The pure linen & silk table runner with the beets. Well, I made the beets into a romantic Valentine's Day setting for both of us to indulge in. A French Point A La Ligne rose candle for setting the mood.
My favorite rose silver flatware from Germany, see Johanna Gehrlein's book about it named: Rosen-Bestecke.
AMAZING Chocolate hearts presented on an Italian heart shaped plate...
A better view of the gorgeous high end linen & silk table runner from Liz Vedder...
Beets and Chocolate? 
Read on to discover an AMAZING Chocolate recipe!
Heart healthy and great for diabetes type 2.
The lovely 1950 Rose Silver pattern is stamped AMD 800. It is from Adam Manns & Sohn from Dörnigheim near Hanau, Germany. Information can be found on page 88 in Johanna Gehrlein's informative Rose Silverware book. Link is shown already in text above.
Yummy chocolate heart, dusted with cocoa; moist and rich ̶ though LOW Calorie! 
AMAZING recipe follows below!
Our own concoction of a heart healthy chocolate/coffee, named CHOCOF. Made of Dutch processed cocoa, mixed with decaf instant coffee and milk powder.
Look at the rose detail on the spoon...
Pastry server in AMD 800 silver Rose Pattern from Adam Manns & Sohn, Germany.
Detail of the upscale linen and silk runner, with meticulous stitching...
It is hilarious but because Liz LOVES red beets so much (as I  do!) she got this runner and obviously the sales person had no clue about what she was selling to her. 
These are the 'SUPERFOOD' pomegranate fruits!
Got a comment from a dear bloggerfriend: Ger from Hoorn Des Overvloeds
THANKS GER!
Liz did present this lovely linen & silk table runner in a clever window-bag.
Hand made in Israel
Love the label with the appropriate markings for linen and silk as well as cleaning instructions etc.
This was published in the April 2011, Costco Connection

Way below, I've typed the recipe as well, so you can use the translator for other languages.

It is heart healthy and excellent for diabetes type 2 patients; without any sugar.

Both, Pieter and I were impressed by its taste! 
Baked on Sunday afternoon, I had to let it cool down and only on Monday the photos got made by daylight.
Guess that I did even lower the 62 mg of sodium by using Trader Joe's 1 mg sodium French beets, instead of the canned varieties with10% sodium!
TIP: when blending the ingredients don't add the whole-wheat pastry flour (Whole Foods) right away but put it atop the red beans and beets so it will not stay behind in the bottom of the blender.
I used the French Demarle puffed heart shaped silicon form for a half size sheet pan. The full sheet size is available on line: Flexipan Puffed Heart. 
Red Velvet Chocolate Squares
Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
½ cup chopped canned beets, drained
7 ounces (about 1 cup) canned red beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup liquid egg substitute
3 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
¾ cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons natural red food coloring

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Combine the beets, cocoa powder, egg substitute and flour in the bowl of a food processor.
Process until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through.

Add he agave nectar, butter, vanilla, almond extract and food coloring. 
Process until all of the ingredients are combined, about 1 minute.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes, turning the dish halfway through the baking time. Turn down the temperature of the oven to 300 and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a little bit of soft batter clinging to it. It should not come out clean ̶ if it does, it's overcooked.

Let the cake cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Then put it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. When it's cold, cut it into 12 squares and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers. Makes 12 bars (106 calories each).

Tip: I've experimented with these squares many times in my kitchen. What I discovered is that, unlike most baked items, these squares taste best after being refrigerated for at least 3 hours. Chilling the bars coalesces the flavor and stabilizes the texture. Enjoy them cold, and you'll enjoy them more.

Per serving (each bar): 106 calories, 1.5 g fat (1 g sat/0 g mono/0 g poly), 2.5 mg cholesterol, 62 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.
♥♥
Wishing each of you a Happy Valentine's Day and may it spill over onto all 365 days...

Related links:
Costco Connection April 2011 with recipe for AMAZING Chocolate

25 comments:

  1. Hello my sweet friend Mariette:
    I also wish you and Pieter a very Happy Valentine's Day and may it spill forever in your life!
    Your table set is just beautiful! everything seems so delicious, the table runner is just lovely.
    And the recipe you are sharing with us... just...WOW!!!! this is a MUST try recipe, thanks for sharing it, I already save it and I will try it as soon as I can.
    Send you a big hug with lots of love, your friend
    Laura <3

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  2. Liebe Mariette,

    bei dir sieht es wieder zauberhaft schön aus.

    Herzliche Grüße
    Elisabeth

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  3. Dearest Mariette,
    what a lovely post!
    Those chocolate hearts look delicious! Thank you for the recipe for the chocolate squares! Hmmmmm ...Yummi! I think, my husband will love them :O)

    Wishing you and Pieter a lovely and wonderful Valentine's Day and may it last for the next 365 days!

    Sending love and hugs,
    Claudia

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  4. Alleen al voor de show!!! Hihihi...ze zien er zo mooi uit!
    Wat een mooie taartschep en ook je vorkjes mogen er zijn. Ik kijk al steeds op rommelmarkten naar zoiets uit! Eens, kom ik ze tegen!! Vast en zeker!

    Rode bietjes zijn aan mij niet besteed, ik vind ze altijd zo naar zand smaken!!Gezond zijn ze geloof ik wel!

    Ook voor jou, een heel fijne Valentijnsdag!!
    We doen er niet aan, maar ik ga vandaag eens extra aardig zijn voor iedereen en een compliment uitdelen. Als we dat nu allemaal doen!Ziet de wereld er meteen anders uit, denk ik!

    Liefs van je nichtje uit Panningen

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  5. Happy Valentine's day....♥.. ♥... ♥....Love Ria......♥.. ♥... ♥....

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  6. Grazie per la ricetta....che gola!!! Buon San Valentino anche a te cara Mariette!!!! Anna

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  7. Buon San Valentino!Che bella tavola!Baci,Rosetta

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  8. Dearest Mariette,

    I believe I have gained 5 lbs just looking at your wonderful yummy photos. Oh those chocolate hearts! Mmmmm!

    Now if you will excuse me, I must go run around the block.

    Wishing you a day filled with love!
    xo Catherine

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  9. Dear Mariette,


    Thank you so much!


    Wishing you the same.


    Happy Valentine's Day!


    Georgianna

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  10. Ahh that looks gorgeous Mariette, a feast for the eyes and for the senses!! if only you could fly over on a magic carpet and make some of these delicious treats for me right now.I am devouring them with my eyes as we speak ;-))
    Have a wonderful Valentine's day, you two love birds, and I am sending much love XXXX
    Bea

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  11. Dearest Mariette,
    what a fun to see those precious silverware on your table. AMD made really heavy and beautiful silverware and I love the way, you present those flatware. Antiqued silver pieces have been always expensive but with the raising silver price they have now Royal prices. And how cute are those placemats and so perfect with the amazing chocolate recipe. You amade a stunning Valentines Day and I hope, you and your family enjoyed this day very much.
    With best greetings, Johanna

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  12. Beets??? Wow ... I will have to certainly try these.. thank you for sharing the recipe. Wishing you a wonderful St. Valentine's Day with Pieter and your furbabies!

    That is a lovely table runner... Thoughtfulness, love and friendship.

    Many Blessings, xo Celia (HHL)

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  13. De chocolade harten en rechthoeken zien er heerlijk uit Mariette! Hier in Rotterdam staan de chocoladehartjes ook op tafel!

    Ik wens jou en Pieter een fijne valentijnsdag toe!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

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  14. Mariette, a most wonderful Valentine's Day post filled with a beautiful table setting, mouthwatering chocolate goodies and your good cheer. The table runner Liz gave to you is lovely. It looks very well made and especially fine. Oh my goodness ... I can't wait to try those Red Velvet Chocolate Squares. Mmm, mmm! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with warmth and joy!

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  15. Dear Mariette,

    Happy Valentine's Day, to you and Pieter and amen to that, with having love every day of the year.
    Love your post, the pretty runner and the heart shaped treats. Many thanks for sharing the recipe, we bought some beets at the grocery shop, so look forward to trying this.

    Sending love & hugs
    Carolyn

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  16. I have heard of a tomato soup cake before, though I've never tried it myself, everyone raves about it. But never, ever have I hard of this blending of ingredients for chocolate. I've got to try it out just to see what it's really like. Your tablesetting with the cloth is very beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful day. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

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  17. Happy Valentine's Day Mariette! Wow, low cal chocolate? Amazing! And it looks lovely also! How nice that you have such great, long lasting friendships:)

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  18. Hi Dear Mariette,
    Happy Valentine's Day to you and your sweetheart. Love your table runner, the recipes and the gorgeous silverware. Everything looks so inviting for the perfect day. I love beets and will try this one for sure.
    Love to you, Celestina Marie

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  19. Thanks for sharing your beautiful post , lovely photos joann

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  20. That looks like a great recipe - I am definitely going to try it. gosh I love that silverware, especially the pie server. thanks for your comment on my lychee post. It is funny how tastes of certain foods can bring back wonderful memories.

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  21. Just stopped by to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

    Your silverware is breathtaking and so are your pictures.

    ♥hugs♥

    mo

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  22. Oh what a perfectly lovely Valentine post Mariette!

    You have a wonderful friend in Liz who knows you so well after 43 years!!
    This is such a coincidence you have a recipe for Red Velvet Chocolate Squares because somewhere in the last few days I have read about this on another blog - please don't ask me where!!!!!

    Take care and enjoy another piece of that special chocolate square just for me!!!

    love
    Shane

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  23. Dear Mariette the previous comment is from me!!!
    Sometimes Blogger does that to me if I still have my Gmail open... grrr sooo annoying.
    Sorry
    love
    Shane

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  24. Dearest Mariette,
    So sorry for my belated Valentine Greeting, what a lovely post for the day♡♡♡
    I enjoyed them vey much, my friend.

    Lots of love and hugs to you, xoxo Miyako*

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...