Off The Counter: A Guest Post, Featuring a Flourless Chocolate-Pomegranate Cake

 

Please welcome today's guest blogger, Gretchen from Kumquat.  As a registered dietitian, food stylist and mother, Gretchen knows a lot about balancing an accomplished professional career with motherhood.  She's also an authority in making what one eats both healthy and beautiful.  Her featured sweet recipe makes a perfect treat for Valentine's Day.  Take a look:

i feel so honored that the always-creative and talented debra of cocoon has asked me to contribute to her lovely blog today. my name is gretchen and i feature all gluten-free recipes on my blog, kumquat (www.kumquatblog.com). back in september, i was so thrilled for debra to make this delicious contribution (http://www.kumquatblog.com/2011/09/roasted-carrots-garlic-and-sausage-with.html) to my blog as a guest post. debra is drawn to beautiful and delectable savories. i on the other hand can't quite get enough sweets. so that is what i'll share today.

this chocolate cake is a no-doubt crowd pleaser... it is decadent, rich and heavenly. i've actually lost count of how many events i've brought this one to, though i do know that by the end of the evening the plate is always empty. to me, the beauty of this dessert is that it is naturally gluten-free and requires no unusual ingredients. trust me, as a gluten-free eater, it is always super exciting to know i can eat the dessert at the party. but also nice to know one dessert will make everyone happy, whether they are gluten-free or not!

because this cake is souffle-like, it will rise to a beautiful bouffant in the oven. when removed from the oven, the center will fall and crack the top a bit. that's perfect... and then as it chills, the interior of the cake will become a truffle-like, chocolatey heaven. the pomegranates add a delightful little burst of juiciness and i am in love with the color palette they present.

so indulge... you'll be so happy you did.

Flourless Chocolate-Pomegranate Cake 16   ounces semisweet baking chocolate (i used ghirardelli) 1     cup unsalted butter 1     tablespoon fresh pomegranate juice 1/8  teaspoon salt 8     large eggs, separated 1 1/2 cups sugar Fresh pomegranate seeds

Preheat oven to 350`. Combine chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until chocolate and butter melts together, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in pomegranate juice and salt, and let cool a bit. Beat egg whites in a large mixing bowl with high speed of an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks and sugar in another large mixing bowl with medium speed of an electric mixer until thick and pale. Fold one-third chocolate mixture into egg yolk mixture. Gently fold in one-third of beaten egg whites. Fold in remaining chocolate mixture and egg whites. Pour batter into a greased 10-inch springform pan. Bake at 350` for 30 minutes or until edges are set and and center is still wobbly and not set. Cool to room temperature in pan on wire rack. Cover and chill 8 hours. Remove sides of springform pan before serving and sprinkle top with pomegranate seeds. Yield: one 10-inch cake.

Wow, we can't wait to taste it!  Thank you, Gretchen,  for sharing this deliciously sweet recipe with us.

  Click here for more of Gretchen's tasty recipes.

Refresh. Renew. Repurpose: Cocoon's Design Approach

For a few years now, we’ve helped people redecorate their homes with their own “stuff”.  Whether on a budget or a time constraint, some clients just need a swift makeover for their spaces.  Some had just moved into a new home, others were about to sell theirs and some just needed to edit, reorganize and refresh their cocoons.

These projects have brought us so much satisfaction and positive feedback, that I’ve decided to make the “one-day makeover” a permanent design service for Cocoon Home Design.  Read a few of the testimonials from past clients and take a look at some of the spaces we transformed in just a few hours.

"Natalia and Debra transformed our life by making our home so much more livable and enjoyable.  Using their amazing sense of style and organization, each of the rooms they tackled gained a new level of beauty.  We fell in love with our house after the simple and smart changes they made to it."  Natalia Andalo--Westwood, Ma

"I've had three face lifts from Cocoon.  One in my living room a few years ago, last summer at my Cape cottage and recently,  my refreshed study in Boston.  It is like working with a whirling dervish with a magic wand.  They are non stop energy with an amazing eye for clean lines.  I can't believe the transformations with the same stuff.  Truly amazing!!!"  Barbara Torrey--Boston, Ma

"In the span of just a few hours, Cocoon Home Design revolutionized the way this of five does life.  Our main level floor plan went from being confined and over-accessorized to spacious and composed, using only pieces we owned.  No more tiny toes being stubbed or little elbows knocking things off tables-dare I say the boys are fighting less.  I am now sitting in front of the fire in my quiet house and I LOVE what I see and feel.  Thanks again for helping me."  Carrie Zarechnak--Oakhill, Va

If your space is feeling a little tired, a bit cluttered and somewhat uninspiring, it's time for a quick jumpstart to make IT and YOU feel whole and new again.  A quick makeover can make all the difference.

Many thanks to Natalia, Barbara and Carrie for allowing my blog readers into their homes and writing such lovely testimonials about our Cocoon Home Design team.

Click here to find out more about Cocoon Home Design services or email me:  debra@cocoonhome.com with any questions.

Window Shopping: Bergdorf Goodman

Whenever I'm in NYC, a must-do is to check out Bergdorf Goodman's window displays.  During this past visit, oranges and pinks dominated their grandiose displays.  Take a look at a few of my favorites:

See last spring's window shopping trip by clicking here and here.

'Til Monday

This week's 'Til Monday features a photo I found on Pinterest.  I was looking for a relaxing image, and instead found a magical one.  Hope you're having a weekend full of magical experiences.

This week is going to be very exciting!  We'll have a guest  Off The Counter post by Gretchen from Kumquat, I'll take you window shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, reveal Cocoon Home Design's new services and share some Valentine's Day ideas for your loved ones (big and small).

So stay posted...

Off The Counter: Pomegranate Kid Cocktail

This week's Off The Counter was inspired by my son Benjamin's desire to create a cocktail.  He informed of me of this having already cut a pomegranate in half [by himself] and retrieving the cocktail shaker from a kitchen cabinet.  Reacting quickly to his sudden burst of culinary exploration, I gathered the only other fruit on hand and we began blending the Pomegranate Kid Cocktail, a frothy combination of pomegranate and persimmon fruits.  I warn you:  this is not a neat endeavor.  Pomegranate juice will stain just about anything except for (thank goodness!) my high-gloss kitchen walls.  Do wear aprons and prepare the fruit in the sink to contain the very red juice.   Take a look at how it turned out: