Coffee Mug Molten Chocolate Cake for Two

Coffee Mug Molten Chocolate Cake for Two
From Cook's Country | October/November 2013



WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
These individual chocolate cakes are cooked in coffee mugs in the microwave for a nearly instant dessert. To keep our cakes from overflowing, we supplement bittersweet chocolate with cocoa powder, which has less fat and produces less steam. We recommend microwaving the cakes on 50 percent power to cook them gently for a light, tender crumb. A few chunks of bittersweet chocolate added to each cake create a gooey, molten center.

SERVES 2

We developed this recipe in a full-size, 1200-watt microwave. If you’re using a compact microwave with 800 watts or fewer, increase the cooking time to 90 seconds for each interval. For either size microwave, reset to 50 percent power at each stage of cooking. Use a mug that holds at least 11 ounces, or the batter will overflow. The bittersweet chocolate is added at two points.

INGREDIENTS

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped, plus 1 ounce broken into 4 equal pieces
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder



INSTRUCTIONS

1. Microwave butter and chopped chocolate in large bowl, stirring often, until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk sugar, eggs, cocoa, vanilla, and salt into chocolate mixture until smooth. In separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Whisk flour mixture into chocolate mixture until combined. Divide batter evenly between 2 (11-ounce) coffee mugs.

2. Place mugs on opposite sides of microwave turntable. Microwave at 50 percent power for 45 seconds. Stir batter and microwave at 50 percent power for 45 seconds (batter will rise to just below rim of mug). Press 2 chocolate pieces into center of each cake until chocolate is flush with top of cake. Microwave at 50 percent power for 35 seconds (cake should be slightly wet around edges of mug and somewhat drier toward center). Let cakes rest for 2 minutes. Serve.

TEST KITCHEN TECHNIQUE: STIR PARTWAY THROUGH

You wouldn’t dream of stirring a cake that’s baking in the oven. But to ensure that a microwave cake bakes evenly, that’s exactly what you need to do. We stop the microwave and give the batter a stir after 45 seconds.

Chicken Pot Pie for Two

Chicken Pot Pie for Two
From Cook's Country | February/March 2012



To simplify our Chicken Pot Pie for Two, we opted to make two individual pies inside of ramekins. A single boneless, skinless chicken breast was super easy to work with and substantial enough for two pies when combined with the rest of the ingredients. Cooking the chicken right in the sauce imparted layers of flavor and also saved time on cleanup. A little soy sauce added complex flavor that would normally require hours of simmering to achieve. For the crust, we turned to a store-bought option, which we parcooked on a baking sheet to ensure it didn’t collapse into the filling.
SERVES 2

We use two oven safe 12-ounce ramekins or bowls to make this dish. If you don't own any, you can use 14-ounce disposable mini loaf pans, cutting the crust to fit.

INGREDIENTS

1 Pillsbury Just Unroll! Pie Crust
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 small celery rib, sliced 1/4 inch thick
Salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Unroll dough on baking sheet. Use 12-ounce ovensafe ramekin as guide to cut out 2 rounds of dough about ½ inch larger than mouth of ramekin. Fold under and crimp outer ½ inch of dough, then cut 3 vents in center of each crust. Bake until crusts just begin to brown and no longer look raw, about 7 minutes; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, celery, and ½ teaspoon salt and cook until vegetables are softened and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.

3. Slowly whisk in broth, cream, and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits. Nestle chicken into sauce and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until chicken registers 160 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate; let cool slightly. Using 2 forks, shred chicken into bite-size pieces.

4. Meanwhile, return pan with sauce to medium heat and simmer until thickened and sauce measures 2 cups, about 5 minutes. Off heat, return shredded chicken and accumulated juice to pan. Stir in peas, parsley, and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Divide filling between ramekins and place parbaked crusts on top of filling. Place pot pies on baking sheet and bake until crusts are deep golden brown and filling is bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Let pot pies cool for 10 minutes before serving.

RAMEKIN ALTERNATIVE
We use 12-ounce ramekins to make pot pies for two. If you don't own any, you can make our pot pies in 14-ounce disposable mini loaf pans, cutting the crust to fit.

Bowling Green Massacre Victims Fund - 2017

“I bet it’s brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre,”
Kellyanne Conway
Yes,she really did say this.



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Fact-checking Kellyanne Conway on the 'Bowling Green massacre'

By Steve Contorno, Louis Jacobson on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.