Down to my last Egg
Written by joythebaker on July 6, 2008 – 5:17 pm -
What do you do when you’re down to your last egg? Either cry about it or make Chocolate Pudding with Almond Whipped Cream. In my case, I did both.
I know this is only a food blog, but I’m sure you all won’t mind if I get something off my chest. I’m sad. I’m puffy eyed, in my pajamas all day, looking out the window at the beautiful weekend passing me by- sad.
It’s relationship trouble. My Mom called it “matters of the heart” which kinda put a smile on my face because she made relationship drama sound so old fashioned. Moms are good for that.
So, while I understand that this is totally out of place for my humble food blog, I hope you won’t mind me over sharing and asking for advice. Maybe you can help.
How do you do it? How do you keep a relationship alive and well? Tell me your love story because I think I need to hear it. Is it hard? Is it perfect? Is it completely neurotic?
I’m here asking for dime store advice. How do you make it work? In return, I have pudding to offer. It’s a lovely recipe. Now tell me what you think about love.
And on top of all the love woes, I was down to my last egg. I could have gone to the grocery store, of course… but some things just seem impossible when you’ve got the blues.
So here’s what to do when you’re down to your last egg, and you need some chocolate comfort in a cup. It’s perfect.
Chocolate Pudding with Almond Whipped Cream
adapted from Gourmet Magazine
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
pinch of salt
2 cups whole milk
1 large egg
4 ounces good semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped
Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and boil, whisking, until pudding is thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Immediately beat eggs lightly in a medium heat proof bowl, then very gradually add hot pudding to the egg, whisking constantly. Whisk in chopped chocolate until smooth.
Pour pudding into ramekins or custard cups and cover surface each with wax paper to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate, covered, until cool, at least 2 hours.
Almond Whipped Cream
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
2 drops almond extract
Put heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Slowly add the powdered sugar and almond extract. Beat cream until it stiffens and turns to whipped cream. Dollop on chocolate pudding
Tags: almond, Chocolate, comfort, homemade pudding, pudding, whipped cream
Posted in Recipes, Snacks, Thoughts | 61 Comments »
I’m new here (and trying the red velvet cupcakes tomorrow!!!) I feel like I can comment on your “matter” with two things I always try to remember.
1. A relationship is at its best when both parties are working to be their very best individually. Those two people, both trying hard to improve themselves add up to great results when together. Sort of like a chocolate chip cookie recipe: simple, good ingredients together=greatness.
2. Relationships are not 80/20 or 50/50. They are 100/100. Both of you have to try your very best all the time. Sure, your very best on any given day may not be as much, so that’s where your other’s very best helps carry the weight. If you start down the road of keeping score, soon the tank will run dry.
Best hopes for happier times! I can’t wait to read your latest!
First – that puddin’ looks mighty good!
Second – relationships are some times easy, sometimes hard, sometimes both in the same day. They are rarely perfect but you work at it if it makes you happy most of the time. The one thing it should not be on a regular basis is neurotic. If that becomes the norm than it’s time to rethink things.
Good luck and good baking.
Hi Joy, first of all, I simply adore your website, it’s clean,clear and so readable.
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through a tough period..well, I cannot give any advice, but I could share what i’ve been through. As someone mentioned – vanilla or rocky road. That is so right on.
I had rocky road for 6 years, and geez was it full of dramatic, heart-rending, passionate highs and lows. He wouldn’t commit, would never give in and kept me guessing till the very end, until I gave up and left..him, and the country.
The came the vanilla one for 3 years, the one who wouldn’t give in to my outbursts and who loved me more than I loved him.Perhaps it all came down down to timing, I wasn’t ready to settle down. I was the nasty one this time, the one who made him feel insecure.
So it seems, for me, what goes around comes around.Perhaps, it’s third time lucky?
What would I do next time round? look for characteristics of a good person: someone who is confidant but balanced, responsible, gentle but firm, kind and sociable. Someone who respects me, has a kind word for any one any time of the day, loves his family and takes each dispute seriously but knows those mundane disputes are part and parcel of, and should not leave even a dent in a long term relationship.
And what would I do the next time round? Try really hard to be the same.
Well, it is easier said than done, of course!
One more thing, giving each other space, being 2 individuals and not merging into 1 unit helps.
Hmmm. I will be checking back on your blog, do keep the readers updated. Take care and good luck!
Joy,
I happened to be down to my last egg today and decided to make your pudding and whipped cream. Oh so yummy! And it was way easier than I would have guessed. Thanks! Its a hit with my husband who doesn’t even eat sweets.
Ev
[...] of love and happiness- remember when I was down to my last egg and came to you for love advice a few weeks back? Did I tell you how much all of your comments [...]
Joy,
I think you’re just the most strawberry-jammy girl with a lovely smile and this person who is causing you heartache… well I’m sure he has his good qualities, but if he is causing you to feel blue and unhappy and if he said unkind things to you when you are the baking dream, I just know he’s not the right one. I had lots and lots and lots of heartache. Lots of us have, I guess. I remember the pain of a few of them as being so visceral. The first time, I thought I would die, literally. It all helps. All of the heartache, after the right period of time and several dozen more eggs, is good for us. Like broccoli. It makes us healthier and keeps us strong for when we move past broccoli and find something sweeter. I did at age 31 when I had become OK with myself and my life. I believe in what the commenter said about finding someone kind… and being someone kind. That seems to be the key to getting through the broccoli. Best wishes to you, Joy. I have a huge baker crush on you.
I don’t know what your specific problem is, but I can tell you one thing (okay maybe a few things).
On my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, I asked my Grandad while we were alone, “How do you do it Grandad? How do you make it work? Marriage, I mean.”
He laughed and then looked at me with a sparkle (I’m not embellishing)in his eye, “You think this has always been easy? Thats the thing. Don’t ever expect it to be easy. If you do, then you are in trouble. Sometimes your Grammy drives me mad, and sometimes I drive her mad, but I have always been commited to making things work. Sometimes you have to be the one to say your sorry, even if you know you did nothing wrong. I just know that I love your Grammy, everytime I look at her.”
They have passed away since, and I miss them everyday. They were the glue that held things together in our family, and they were the most adorable lovebirds you had ever seen. She was a very beautiful and proper woman, and he was always standing next to her with his hand on the small of her back, looking at her admiringly with a gleam in his eye. I am getting married next spring, so I am always going try and remember what he said.
“Love is, in fact, so unnatural a phenomenon that it can scarcely repeat itself, the soul unable to become virgin and not having energy enough to cast itself out again into the ocean of another’s soul.”
-Joyce
It either is or it isn’t. You shouldn’t have to work too hard at it.
For matters of the heart, I recommend reading The Five Love Languages. It makes a lot of sense.
Best to you – I love your site.
Kristen
I’m sure by now we’re all echoing the same sentiment, but I like adding my 2 cents.
My last boyfriend was that rocky-road type and even though he was willing to talk about our issues we never got anywhere. Some people are just the type that get angry and yell and find drama (or drama finds them).
I doubt that you’re that kind of person, and it took me forever to realize that I can’t be with that type of person (actually he turned against my sister, got jealous of me spending time with her, which made me snap out of it because that was just so beyond ridiculous .. well it just took the cake). My new boyfriend and I get along so well, ok its only been 4 months, but in comparison… I only wonder what I was trying to do to myself before.
Relationships do take work, but you need to keep your eyes open and see if the work is really worth it. dedication and kindness, understanding and surely vulnerability… if you aren’t getting what you need, make it end. and if you get the lonely blues, you’ve got all of us to come cheer you up.
Hi Joy,
I am in a relationship and he is the love of my life but yes it is hard. I think that the most important thing in life is how to fill your heart and soul with love that either comes from you or the world. Your partner is there to cradle and comfort it. Some people have many partners in their life be it friends, family, lovers, loves. Cherish them all and when you do find the right person for you love them and know that it only works with the RIGHT one. They always come along when your life opens to them. I love your blog, I am a baker and I am constantly inspired by you every week. It truly makes me smile to know that there is someone out there who loves what they do and has such a wonderful heart to give their talent to so many people. Thank you for sharing that with me.