Chocolate Pie, Anyone?

Want a slice of Chocolate Fudge Pie?

Well, only if you can keep a secret...

This chocolate pie has a very special ingredient... tofu!  And, no, this isn't an April Fool's joke!

I try to avoid eating lots of sugar,  which usually isn't too difficult for me.  However, once in awhile I really want a special treat.  I've been looking for the perfect "healthy dessert."  I came across a great blog called Chocolate Covered Katie. She has lots and lots of recipes that look fantastic so I decided to make one to see if it tasted fantastic, too.


The recipe was very simple to follow and all of the ingredients could be found at any grocery store (some of Katie's recipe call for ingredients that I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to find them).  I was a little skeptical of how the recipe would turn out after I blended the ingredients in my Magic Bullet and licked the spoon... the pie filling had a very distinct tofu aftertaste.  However, the aftertaste wasn't nearly as strong after the pie had time to sit in the fridge for a couple of hours.  And the left-overs I had a couple days later barely tasted of tofu.  So my cooking tip for Chocolate Fudge Pie is time is your friend!  Let this pie sit a day or two before serving.

I thought it would be good to have a sugar-eater taste test this recipe, too.  Patrick accepted the job.  He had just come from dinner at his cousin's house but said if he wasn't already so full he would have asked for a second slice.  He might have just said that because he's a really nice.  I think this recipe has enough potential that I might test it out on my dad, too.  If it gets his approval it is a keeper!

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to give it a try.  Make sure to let me know what you think!

Chocolate Fudge Pie

1 Package Firm Tofu (12.3 oz)

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 tsp pure vanilla

2 tbs milk of choice

scant 1/8 tsp salt

8 to 10 oz chocolate chips (I used the 60% cocoa chips)

2-3 tbs agave

Melt chocolate then throw everything into a food processor and blend until super-smooth.  Pour into a pie crust (optional).  Fridge until chilled.  This gets firmer the longer it sits.

Bucket List #3

Compared to many LDS members around the world, 4 hours is not a very long drive to take in order to visit the temple.  In Montana, we had the option of traveling east to Spokane, Washington or heading north to Cardston, Alberta.  When I moved to Utah, I knew I wanted to take advantage of living in close proximity to not only one, but several temples found here in the Salt Lake valley alone.  Thanksgiving weekend of 2010, I received my endowments in the Bountiful Temple.  The opportunity to regularly attend the temple has been such a blessing in my life!  

There are three temples I find myself rotating between; Bountiful, Jordan River, and Salt Lake.  I thought it would be nice to branch out a bit and visit some of the other temples in the valley and across the state.  So, the third item on my Bucket List was to attend the Draper Utah Temple.

It rained most of yesterday but cleared up in time for our drive over to Draper.  There were the most wonderful clouds sitting low on the mountain. (I've always told Mom that if I were an artist, all I would want to do is paint clouds!) The temple sits so high on the mountainside that it felt as though we would drive right through them. One of the most beautiful sights is that of a temple all lit up at night.  It takes my breath away every time!  The Draper Temple was no different.

Although, each temple is different in its architecture, size, landscaping, and furnishings, I am grateful to know that the feelings I experience there and the teachings taught are the same.  It will always be safe-haven and place of peace and comfort for me.

Stay tuned to see which other temples made my 2012 Bucket List!

PS I have yet to take a photo for any of my Bucket List adventures.  Thank you Google Image for helping me borrow some images to complete my posts!

Why I Love Weekends...

I love weekends.  There is so much to do!  There always seems to be something to look forward to.  Here's a little list of some recent happenings...

#1 WEDDINGS

Every year when Spring rolls around, my refrigerator is suddenly covered in wedding announcements.  Spring = Love.  The first of many weddings was that of my dear friends Richard and Paige.  It is wonderful to see your friends so happy and to help them celebrate their love.  One benefit of attending lots of wedding receptions is more chances of catching the bouquet.  At Paige's wedding the bouquet couldn't have landed farther away from me than if Paige had turned around and purposely thrown it with all her might in the opposite direction.  No worries though, several more upcoming chances in the near future!  Ha!

#2 BIRTHDAYS

I thought it was very important to include this photo to document a longstanding tradition in the Jensen household.  Many, many years ago my mom purchased a plastic birthday banner at the dollar store.  I can't remember a family birthday without it.  Please note it hanging in the upper-left corner of the above photo.  In addition, our birthday decor always includes a handmade poster that everyone signs.  Jay was the talented artist selected to create Dad's poster this year.  To round out a Jensen family birthday party, all you need is a rousing off-key rendition of the Happy Birthday Song and you're all set.

#3 CONCERTS

One of the absolute best things about living in Salt Lake is the amount of performers and artists who come to town.  This weekend I got to see one of my favorite singers perform a mini-concert downtown at the new City Creek Center.  Not only do I love Mindy Gledhill's music, I also adore her personal style.  I am seriously considering cutting my hair short this summer.  Thoughts?

#4 BUCKET LISTING

Weekends are the perfect time to accomplish items on my 2012 Bucket List.  Last weekend I went to a Utah Grizzlies Hockey game which means I've now finished two whole items on my list.  I have a long ways to go! Anyway, here's a random piece of information for you.  When I was four years old, my family lived in Minnesota while my Dad was attending school there.  My brother Andrew and I would go ice skating on occasion and I decided that one day I wanted to be a hockey player.  My mom told me hockey was a violent sport and that the players loose their teeth.  After that, I wanted to be a princess instead.

It is Sunday night.  Every week at this time I get sad because I wish so badly the weekend could last just a little bit longer.  However, weekends are even better (if possible!) after putting in a good work week.  Time to go to bed and dream up some adventures for next weekend!