"In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie

Happy Valentine's Day!

They say that chocolate is an aphrodisiac...  Why not try some chocolate today and see what happens?


Make my "In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie for your valentine today.  They will never guess how easy it was to make!  It's a tasty, creamy dessert!

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

"In the Mood" Chocolate Mousse Pie


Serves 8


1 9" prepackaged pie crust
2 1.4 oz package of Chocolate fudge sugar-free pudding mix
1 2/3 c low fat milk
1 8 oz container of whipped topping
2 T mini semi-sweet chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Bake pie crust according to package directions.  Remove from oven and cool.


In a medium bowl whisk pudding and milk until mixed thoroughly.  Fold half of the whipped topping into the pudding mixture, and fold until well blended.


Spread mixture into pie crust.  Top with remaining whipped topping and sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.  

Raspberry Balsamic Chicken

Romance is in the air!

I'm a hopeless romantic.  I admit it, I am.  I want the romance, I treasure the memories.  I'm sappy!  I've even gone so far as to plan romantic moments...or at least steer them that way and hope they turn out!  I know, I'm really hopeless.  So it's no wonder that I adore Valentine's day.  I believe that you should express your love everyday.  But Valentines, is just a designated day to celebrate all the love you have for friends, family, and that special someone.

I think I've read too many romance novels.

One thing that is romantic to me is serving a dish that signifies love.   My take on Raspberry Balsamic Chicken is just that, romantic.  Certain items scream romance, raspberries being one of them.  The sweet tart flavor is perfect paired with balsamic vinegar makes a wonderful sauce.  The best part other than the taste...it's quick and easy to make.  Baking the chicken is a great way to eat healthy and it lends to a moist and tender chicken.

This would make a wonderful dinner for that special night.  What do you like about romance??

Some step by step pics for you.

A nice, romantic dinner!

Raspberry Balsamic Chicken

1 t. canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c seedless raspberry jam, or sugar free raspberry jam
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1/4 t black pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small saucepan add oil and, garlic.  Cook for 30 seconds.  Add raspberry jam, balsamic vinegar, and pepper.  Bring to a boil, turn heat down and simmer for 3 minutes until it reaches a glaze consistency.  Reserve half of the sauce and set aside.

Spray a baking pan with cooking spray.  Brush chicken breasts with remaining glaze on both sides.  Place inside the baking dish.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Serve, pouring reserved glaze over chicken breasts.

Banana Stuffed French Toast

It's almost Valentine's Day...!

While I love the holiday I don't particularly buy in to all the retail hype surrounding it.  Don't get me wrong, who doesn't love flowers?  But to buy a dozen roses for $80.00 for this special day, when you can get the same for $25.00 next week just doesn't make sense to me.  Then there's the restaurants.  Around here they all have a special 3 or 4 course meal (planned out for you) at a pre-set price of $80 to $100 per person.  I don't know about you, but I like to select my meal, and again, the price on a "normal" day would be around $40 a person.  It just doesn't add up for me.

That is why we usually celebrate Valentine's in a different way.  Sometimes we spend a whole day doing fun things like visiting a museum, or going to Descano gardens.  Something "we" like to do.  Often, we just went to Vegas and that became our Valentine's trip.  All of these are nice and special, but I don't also love the times we stayed home to enjoy a nice quiet meal.  It's so special cause it's made with love!

This dish is great to make for your loved one...can you say breakfast in bed?  Or brunch if you will.  Banana Stuffed French Toast adds a little flair to the ordinary!  The flavors of the banana spring to life and dance in your mouth!  This dish is made using your oven, so it does most of the work!  I hope you try this recipe and surprise someone special in your life with some homemade loving goodness!

Some step by step pics to help you along.

 Oh my!

Banana Stuffed French Toast

adapted From BHG

Serves 2

2 eggs

1/2 cup low fat milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 1-inch-thick slices French bread

2/3 cup thinly sliced banana

Maple syrup or powdered sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet lightly with nonstick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until well mixed. Set aside.

Cut a horizontal pocket in each bread slice, cutting from one end almost to, but not through, the other end.  Fill  pockets with banana.

Dip bread slices into egg mixture, coating both sides. Place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden, turning once half way through the cooking time. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar or serve with syrup. Makes 4 slices.