Jody and the Chocolate Recipe!

Jody Shepson is a friend I've know since we were in high school, oh just a few years ago!  She lived just around the corner from me.  We lived on Salem Drive in Saratoga Springs, and she lived on Springwood Drive.  Jody's sister Cindy was in my sister Ginny's class in high school, a year behind me. 

We grew up in Saratoga when it was a simpler place, in a time before laptops, blogs, or I-phones.  There were no malls at exit 15 of I-87.  The big news was when a MacDonald's came to town in the late 60s!  Downtown was a simpler place too.  There were no national retail clothing stores as there are now.  We knew the shop-owners and they knew us.  They were our neighbors and friends.  We'd walk home from high school and stop at stores on timeless Broadway -- Patricia's, Erlangers, Mabou, Soave Faire (still there), The Economy Shop, Glickman's, Starbuck's (not the coffee), Covkin's...  Woolworth's, J.J. Newberry's, and Western Auto were the only chains, and they'd been there forever.  Farmer's Hardware was a great store where you could buy hardware, household items, and also pick up your new telephone from Ma Bell.  It was the only place in town to get a phone.   There was even a choice of grocery stores then:  A&P, Grand Union, Central Market (now Price Chopper).  We loved to go to the elegant and classic Community Theater, which is now home to a number of shops and businesses (makes me sad - I wish someone would win the lottery and convert it back to our beloved theater!). 

As kids, we rode our bikes everywhere, or walked.  We were outside all the time.  That all seems eons ago. It WAS decades ago!  I remember fondly those simpler times. 

Facebook has allowed us to stay connected, or reconnect, to people from our past.  Jody moved away from Saratoga a number of years ago, but it seems I know her better now because of her frequent (and hilarious) postings on Facebook.  Through her posts, I've learned that Jody is an enthusiastic and accomplished cook. 

Early on in my blog's life, I posted Jody's favorite recipe for Chocolate Slab.  Today I bring you two more chocolate-focused recipes that Jody's shared.  Don't get the idea, though, that she limits her culinary endeavors to all things chocolate.  Nope.  She often mentions the great dinners she's made for her husband, as well as his colleagues and students.  She also writes enthusiastically of meals she's had out (especially liking Thai food).  I'm hoping that there are a lot more recipes from Jody coming our way.  I'm saving another recipe she's shared for a future post; don't want to give it all up at once!  Below you will find recipes for two dishes she's mentioned recently on Facebook:  Country Chocolate Pie, and Rum Chocolate Mousse.  I asked, and she shared recipes and photos.  Thanks Jody!  And remember, friends, that I'd love to feature your favorite recipes, too, and photos to go along.  I might not make you famous, but you will be appreciated!

Shep, Jody, and the pups!

COUNTRY CHOCOLATE PIE

2 eggs
½ c flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
½ c melted butter
1 c walnuts
1 c semi-sweet morsels

Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake at 350 for 35-50 minutes. 
 
 
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Jody's husband Shep and his Mousse Plane!



RUM CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
(Jody shaped this into an airplane for her husband's birthday!)

Cook over very low heat until dissolved but not colored brown: ¼ cup sugar
2-4 tbls rum
Melt in a double boiler
¼ lb semi-sweet or sweet chocolate

When the chocolate is melted, stir in
2-3 tbls heavy cream

Add the syrup to the melted chocolate and stir until smooth. When the mixture is cool but not chilled, fold into

2 stiffly beaten egg whites

Then fold very gently into

2 cups whipped heavy cream

Chill in glasses 2 hours before serving.
 
 
Recipes and photos from Jody Shepson