Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail : "Down With Love"

It happens sometimes: you and your sister circle are all experiencing men troubles. Instead of wallowing, why not get together for a girls night in? And do I have the PERFECT movie and meal for you!!

An homage to the zany romantic comedies of the early 1960s starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Tony Randall, Down with Love is hilarious!!

From Wikipedia:

New in New York City, Barbara Novak arrives at Banner House to present her new work Down with Love, a book the intent of which is to free women from love, teach them to enjoy sex without commitment, and to replace the need for a man with things such as chocolate. Following her rules would, she believes, help to give women a boost in the workplace and in the world in general.

A night with the girls for a little sisterhood, laughs (not to mention oogling the very dreamy Ewan McGregor!!) only needs a perfect menu. In honor of the rules of the novel, I've come up with a chocolate-filled menu that is sure to make you forget about your men troubles!

The Menu:
Assorted Sliced Fruit
Chocolate-Hazelnut Panini
Chocolate Bread Pudding
Chocolate Peeptini

Chocolate-Hazelnut Panini

Recipe Courtesy of Country Living

Ingredients

1 loaf(s) Ciabatta 1/2 cup(s) Hazelnut Or Almond Butter
2 tablespoon(s) Honey
1/4 teaspoon(s) Salt
teaspoon(s) Ground Cloves
1 bar(s) (4-ounce) Bittersweet Chocolate
2 tablespoon(s) Butter, melted

Directions

Cut the ciabatta into 5- by 3-inch rectangles and split horizontally.
Stir the hazelnut butter, honey, salt, and cloves together and spread about 1 tablespoon onto each of 4 of the bread rectangles.
Layer with the chocolate and top with remaining bread. Brush with butter and grill in a press until the chocolate melts.
Cut into small triangles and sprinkle each with sea salt to serve.

Chocolate Bread Pudding

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter, plus more for baking dish
8 slices (8 ounces) cinnamon-raisin bread
2 cups milk
3 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter an 11-by-7-inch (or 9-inch square) baking dish; set aside. Toast bread (in the oven or toaster) until lightly crisped.
In a medium saucepan, combine milk, chocolate, and butter; place over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes.
Tear bread into large pieces (about 4 or 5 per slice); scatter evenly in prepared baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in warm milk mixture until combined. Pour over bread.
Bake until pudding has puffed and is firm, about 25 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes, and dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

Chocolate Peeptini

Recipe Courtesy of Peep Drinks

Ingredients

2 oz vodka
1/2 oz creme de cacao
1 marshmallow peep
2 tbsp chocolate syrup

Directions

Dunk peep in Fox’s U-Bet brand chocolate syrup. Add ingredients to shaker filled with ice, then pour into martini glass. Add remaining chocolate syrup.

Optional: Before pouring drink into martini glass, wet the rim and invert the glass into a saucer dusted with hot chocolate mix or finely grated dark chocolate.