Row Your Boat, and Sandy Debris Chocolate Chunk Recipe

To the dry and to the soggy and to those just a little damp, 

As you know, we experienced a taste of Hurricane Sandy.  We saw some big waves, and our neighbors experienced some flooding.  But just how much water did we see?  Read on to see how we made the best of a hurricane flood, and snag the recipe for Sandy Debris Chocolate Chunks! 

Rain or shine - our postman was at the door in knee-deep boots! 

We got 10 inches in our driveway, but we are on a high point; the rest of
the street slopes down, and they received the brunt of it.  

This is the view from our back deck.  The water by the fence is about at chest-height.

Little Man and Big Man head outside ... and do you see what I see? 

That's right!  With Mr H's help, I launched the kayak from our driveway and
rowed about the neighborhood, checking out the damage, fighting the wind
the whole way, and enjoying what normally is not a backyard sport.
Note the fishing pole ... 

Hmm let me just check out these trash bins here ... yep, they're tipped over! 

When I came back inside, we warmed up with demitasse cups of strong espresso, and a little treat we came up with in honor of the storm.  Based on my foggy memory of a childhood favorite I used to make called Cow Pies (Mom hated the name), these snacks are full of chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.  They pair well with espresso, milk or tea, and can be made into whatever size you like!  And they are as easy as can be!

Just melt the chocolate ... 

Chop, sliver, or grind the nuts as you like ...

Choose your dried fruits ...

Add everything to the double-boiler of chocolate ...

Stir well ...

Blob onto a plate, pan, or parchment paper and freeze or let sit until firm - then enjoy!

Sandy Debris Chocolate Chunks: a treat in honor of Hurricane Sandy
I use approximately equal amounts chocolate and nuts; add fruit as desired. 

Chocolate chips - bittersweet, dark, semi-sweet, milk, even white
Nuts - almonds, cashews, peanuts, hulled pistachios, walnuts, pecans
Dried fruit - raisins, craisins, cherries, blueberries

1. Grind almonds to a coarse powder in a blender, or use slivered almonds.  Chop the other nuts if desired.

2. Melt the chocolate chips in a double-boiler.  Add the chopped, ground, or slivered nuts, dried fruit and stir briskly with a wooden spoon or spatula.  Remove from the heat; mix in white chocolate chips or yogurt chips if desired.

3. Use a spoon to drop tablespoon-sized drops (or whatever size you prefer) onto a cookie sheet, plate, or waxed or parchment paper.  Set this in the freezer, or leave on a counter in a cool room until firm (approximately one hour or less).  Or, spread a half-inch-thick layer on a cookie sheet or in a rimmed pan and let harden; cut to desired size and shape.

4. Serve with a strong coffee or black tea.  Think about hurricanes while eating; consider the amount of debris washed up on shore after a hurricane; enjoy the chocolate.

Not flooded,

Mrs H

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