The Intersection of Lincoln, Luxury & Hipsterdom: Mast Brothers Chocolate

The actual Mast Brothers, complete with hipster beards

You might not think that artisan chocolate made in Brooklyn would have much to do with Lincoln Motor Company, but last week, I saw how they fit together over a 24 hour period.

First, I went to the Loft Opera's production of Macbeth, at the new Mast Brothers factory in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The unheated warehouse was the setting for a faithful rendition of the tragedy, and most of the young audience sat on backless benches for the three hour performance, fueled only by the Brooklyn Brewery beer for sale, along with fine chocolate.

Lincoln's swag: bars of Mast Brothers chocolate

The gray and no hairs - i.e., people in my demographic, were mostly the VIP members, who got folding chairs with actual backs. Because theatergoers who can afford more than a $30 ticket require a few more luxuries.

The setting for Lincoln's holiday party

For much the same reason, luxury cars appeal to this demographic. But Lincoln knows its long term success depends on appealing to a younger audience as well, so it has the essence of cool, Matthew McConaughey, starring in its commercials.

And as it happened, the night after the Macbeth show, Lincoln invited me to its swanky holiday soiree, in a penthouse at Lincoln Center. You wouldn't think that this had much in common with the barebones Loft Opera. Yet, along with the canapes and top shelf open bar, heat (something I will now never take for granted) and comfortable seats, there were parting gifts: bars of Mast Brothers chocolate.

You couldn't ask for a better pairing.

Back to School, Back to Baking: Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Although my youngest child just started her sophomore year of college, I am conditioned to start baking at the beginning of school. Back to school means bake sales and PTA fundraisers, cooler temperatures that allow for baking (hello 90 degrees tomorrow in New York City) and the Jewish holidays, when we host a few dinners and need to have a stock of baked goods on hand.

We also have trips to see our middle daughter's first apartment in Washington, DC and another to Minneapolis for Parents' Weekend.

Mixing in the peanuts

Since we are a peanut butter and chocolate loving family, I decided to bake a simple batch of brownies, but with a healthier twist. I took some butter out of my brownie recipe and replaced it with natural peanut butter (I love the 365 organic natural peanut butter from Whole Foods) and used organic whole wheat flour instead of white flour.

I also used raw cane sugar from The Real Co; it's organic and non-GMO verified. With cage-free organic eggs and a Misto olive oil sprayer for greasing the pan, I reduced most of the chemicals in the  brownies, though I couldn't find organic unsweetened chocolate and had to use Ghirardelli.

Healthier Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 C natural (no sugar added) peanut butter
• 1 1/2 C organic raw cane sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 C whole wheat flour
• 1/2 C dry roasted peanuts

Put chocolate and butter in large bowl in microwave and heat for 30 seconds, stir, heat again for 30 seconds, stir, and heat again for 10-15 seconds if needed.  Stir in peanut butter and mix till smooth.

Add sugar and stir. If mixture is cooled enough not to cook eggs, stir them in with the vanilla, flour and nuts.

Mix well.

Spray a 13 x 9 pan with a thin coating of olive oil and smooth mixture into the pan.

Bake 30 minutes, at 350, until brownies are set. Cool on a rack.

Enjoy!

“Milkshake” Without Milk or Ice Cream: Lactose Intolerant Indulgence

Sugarpova chocolates are sealed with a kiss

A thick, sweet milkshake is a wonderful summertime indulgence - unless you are lactose intolerant, or watching your weight.  My daughter and I can’t drink milk or eat ice cream, though small amounts of milk chocolate are fine.

We are a family of chocoholics, so I was thrilled when I was sent samples of Maria Sharapova new Sugarpova premium chocolate line. There are four flavors of the lip embossed bars:  dark chocolate, milk chocolate, milk chocolate with strawberry and dark chocolate with toasted coconut.

The milk chocolate with strawberry inspired me to make a milkshake facsimile: a couple of squares of melted chocolate, with a frozen banana and strawberries, blended together. Tire resulting shake, or smoothie, is best thinned out with a little soy or almond milk, and is a lower sugar and calorie dessert than a scoop of ice cream. Plus its loaded with fruit and it tastes great.

The non-GMO, Kosher chocolate bars are 3.5 ounces, so ideal for sharing.

Milkshake alternative:

1 frozen banana

3 strawberries

1/4 cup unsweetened soy or almond milk (you can use regular low fat milk if you can tolerate it)

4 squares of milk chocolate with strawberry, melted

Chocolate, bananas and strawberries: yummy!

Put all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth 

Serves  - and delights - one

Note: I was not compensated for this post, but I did receive samples of the Sugarpova chocolate bars. Opinions expressed are my own.

Getting the Green: Kids & Salad

When I was little, I was pegged as a 'picky eater' and I hated salad - because I hated salad dressing. My mother served gloppy Russian dressing, a mixture of my two least favorite ingredients, mayo & ketchup.

Then I discovered blue cheese. I loved blue cheese dressing, or blue cheese crumbled into salad, with lemon squeezed on top.

So it didn't surprise me that my youngest daughter hated salad. But a vegetarian who won't eat salad? Then she tasted Just Salad's balsamic vinaigrette. Although I make my own vinaigrette, she prefers this commercial version, but hey, if she's eating salad...

The other day, I sampled a chocolate hazelnut vinaigrette, developed by the chef at The Hotel Hershey (of course). The dressing was served over a roasted beet and orange salad - and I actually have a kid who loves beets.

The hotel's version also has arugula and radicchio, but she doesn't like those bitter greens. So I used a milder mesclun mix and the salad was a huge hit.

Make the dressing with your kids - and use it on any salad greens. When they add the Hershey's syrup, they are guaranteed to at least try the salad.

Note: I received the information about The Hotel Hershey and the recipe for the roasted beet and orange salad from The Hershey Company. Opinions are my own.

Say thank you – for free

Intensely flavored European chocolates are a way to indulge a craving without spending too many calories. And Merci chocolates (made in Germany, not France) are a fine example of this kind of chocolate. An assorted box comes with dark or milk chocolates, filled with coffee, hazelnut, praline or chocolate mousse. These chocolates would be great as a thank you to a special teacher, or as a gift to your family this holiday season. One reader will win a box of Merci chocolates. To enter the giveawy, leave your email and who you’d like to thank below.

Kid friendly chocolate cookies

Passover is ending either tonight or tomorrow, depending on your ties to Israel or Reform or Conservative Judaism, but these chocolate meringue cookies, specifically for Passover, can be eaten any time of year. You can even consider them sort-f health food – no white flour, no butter, only a couple of egg whites, some sugar and chocolate. Really, not that bad for you – and they are kid-approved.

Preheat oven to 250

2 egg whites

1/2 C sugar

3 T unsweetened cocoa

1/2 C chocolate chips

Beat the egg white until stiff, on high. Beat in the sugar. Add cocoa and beat on low. Fold in chips.

Drop teaspoon size cookies onto cookie sheet lined with Silpat liner or parchment paper. Bake for one hour, then leave in oven for 2 more hours.

Makes about 2 dozen.