Mornin’ dear ones! πŸ™‚ How was your weekend? Were you relaxing your heart out or dashing about doing fun things? I did a bit of both and it was just what I needed.

I was able to take that new trail in the woods when Mums and I went hiking at Berthusen Park. It was gorgeous!! The forest is old growth and wonderfully dark and cool. Back in 1883 Hans Berthusen single-handedly cleared 100 acres of dense forest for farmland, but kept 20 acres of it as virgin timber so he would remember what the land originally looked like. In 1944 he left it to the City of Lynden so future generations could also remember. I love that.

We’ve had perfect fall weather all weekend with brilliant sunshine and gently breezes sending crisp leaves skittering over the pavement and tumbling across the lawn. Saturday was spent in town running errands and stocking up on groceries. It was one of those months where nearly all my basics were depleted and needed to be replenished. I confess grocery shopping is one of my favorite chores. It’s so fun to wander the aisles and choose delectable things to concoct even more delectable things. πŸ™‚

A while back I picked up an enormous slab of Belgian bittersweet chocolate at Trader Joe’s, and yesterday I used half of it to make these decadent pots de creme with Southern Comfort. Oh my. Best eaten in small portions, these desserts are outrageously rich and delicious, and keep the house smelling heavenly for hours. I made mine with coconut milk and sweetened them with agave so I feel utterly guilt-free indulging. πŸ™‚

Speaking of agave, a couple of months ago, BetterBody Foods & Nutrition sent me a sample of Xagave to try and I keep forgetting to tell you about it. πŸ™‚ Sweeter than sugar with a very low glycemic index, agave has been my non-sugar sweetener for a while now. I love that the Xagave brand is completely organic and that they sell a cookbook full of ideas for using agave in every day cooking. I use it in everything from sweetening my tea and whipping cream to tossing with fruit for pies and tarts and substituting for sugar in much of my baking. For more information on agave in general and the Xagave brand, visit their website here: http://www.xagave.com/

What are some ways that you make your cooking healthier?

PS – My new article on Cancun is up at The Travel Belles today! Click here if you’d like to see it. πŸ™‚

Southern Comfort Pots de Creme
(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

7 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, cut in pieces
1 cup coconut milk
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp Xagave (more if you like your dessert sweet)
2 Tbsp Southern Comfort (or rum)
Pinch of black salt (or any other kind :-))

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Add chocolate and coconut milk to saucepan and melt over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Beat together eggs, agave, Southern Comfort and salt. Pour into chocolate mixture stirring constantly.
  5. Pour into ramekins, custard cups or any small oven-proof vessel.
  6. Place in baking pan and pour boiling water to within 1/2 inch of the tops of ramekins. Bake 20 minutes.
  7. Cool a few minutes, then cover and refrigerate.