Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Rocky Road Tart,Thank You and Wednesday Gratitude #24 at Heart and Home

Hello! Welcome to Heart and Home

It's Wednesday Gratitude, and a special day!
Link in below, and remember to mention Heart and Home in your post, please!



"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,
 "thank you," that would suffice." - Meister Eckhart

Today is Heart and Home's
 one year Blog Anniversary.

Yep, that's right.
One year ago today, with trembling fingers, I clicked on "publish post",
and started a new adventure.
I had no idea where my rambling and often feeble attempts
 at documenting my home and life would lead me.
But, here I am, and here you are!

And, since I knew you were coming, I baked you a cake!



Eggs, cream and dark bittersweet chocolate combine to make a rich and creamy ganache.




Melted butter, sugar and graham crackers make a delicious crust.




The ganache is poured over chopped nuts and mini-marshmallows.





Chilled for an hour in the refrigerator,
 more nuts and marshmallows and ganache are added to the top.



After an hour or so, the rock-road torte is ready to eat.
You will love it!

You will be thankful for chocolate, and nuts, and cream and graham cracker crust!





And, I am so thankful for you!

 When I began, I had no idea Heart and Home would become such an important part of my life. I didn't know I would come into contact with so many kind, supportive, funny, friendly, talented and inspiring people. I had no idea you were all out there,
and that you would welcome me with open arms!

Someone who doesn't blog may think it is a strange way to spend time. I used to think so, too. But, I didn't understand the connections and bonds that can form across the internet, when ideas, thoughts and feelings are shared with like-minded people, day in and day out. Blogging has allowed me to visit with you around the world, it's given me a creative push, and I am very thankful you've been so receptive to me.  I love hearing from you and I read every comment and e-mail - I love knowing what's on your minds, so keep those comments coming!

I'm truly grateful!
I'm looking forward to the year ahead,
and excited to see where Heart and Home will lead me.

There are still a few more days to enter the drawing for the giveaway!
I'll chose a random winner on July 31.
Winner receives a $40 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard  Designs,
vintage linens,
a necklace from my collection,
and some other lovely lovelies, especially for you!

Become a follower,
leave a comment,
refer a friend!
You can only win if you enter!

Until next time,
XO
Heidi

                        
                        




ROCKY ROAD TART
(from Martha Stewart, with simplifications and revisions by Heart and Home)

For the crust:
6 ounces graham crackers (about 11)
1 tblsp. sugar
1/8 tsp salt
5 tblsp. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Process graham crackers, sugar and salt in a food processor (or put crackers in plastic bag and crush with rolling pin, and combine with salt and sugar). Transfer to medium bowl, stir in melted butter, mix until combined.
Press crumbs into bottom and up sides of 9" springform pan. Bake until crust just starts to turn golden brown, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on wire rack.

For the Ganache:
15 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or use good quality choc. chips)
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 cups mini-marshmallows
1 cup nuts, chopped

Melt 10 ounces of the chocolate in a large bowl set over a pan or bowl of simmering water, keep warm. Bring cream to simmer, remove from heat. Whisk 1/4 cup hot cream into beaten egg yolks, then whisk this mixture into remaining cream. Whisk cream mixture into melted chocolate, set aside.
Toss 2 cups mini-marshmallows with 1 cup chopped nuts. Scatter mixture over bottom of cooled crust, pour all but 1 cup ganache over nuts and marshmallows. Refrigerate tart, uncovered, until firm (about one hour).
Cover reserved 1 cup ganache with plastic wrap until ready to finish tart.

For the topping:
3/4 cup mini-marshmallows
1/4 cup chopped nuts
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Toss together marshmallows, chopped nuts and chopped chocolate, sprinkle over chilled tart. Drizzle reserved 1 cup ganache over tart, and refrigerate 10 minutes more before cutting.

Tart can be refrigerated, covered, for up to three days.

Linking to Linky Party at Tea Rose Home, Works for Me Wed. at We are that Family, Whatever Goes at Someday Crafts, Spotlight Yourself at It's So Very Cheri. Thank you!

29 comments:

nannykim said...

Happy anniversary!! OOOOH that looks fattttttennnnning! Yes, my family often rolls their eyes when I mention blogging....but they are getting used to it!

Daisy Cottage said...

Happy Anniversary Heidi! And YOU have been such a beautiful loving spirit in Blogland! With each and every post and comment left for others you have been a true treasure. I can't thank you enough for ALL of your kindness and for being a bright light in my life.

You are a love.


Congratulations.

xo,
Kim

sarah said...

happy anniversary

thanks for stopping by my place & leaving me kind, friendly and good vibes...I really appreciate it :-)

here's to blogland

Allison said...

Congratulations on your 1 year, Heidi! This rocky Road Tart looks scrumptious and decadent. I will have to try this recipe soon. Think I'll skip dinner and go straight to dessert. I enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing and all of your inspiration.

Dena E's Blog said...

Not sure if I'll enter this week, just a bit down of late, but these are looking soooo yummy...Just the pictures are dangerous Sweetie...
The men in this house would soooo want them made for them...
How do you stay so slim Heidi if you bake all these goodies???
I have to livve on Yogurt to stay the way I am ;0)
Blessings and Hugs Dena

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Happy Anniversary....always love my stops here....

Dena E's Blog said...

OMGOSH Girl,,,I left out the HAppppY Anniversary to you !!!
Oops!!!

MJ said...

Happy Anniversary to you.....I wish you many more! Im glad its Wednesday gratitude...Im grateful that I found your blog. Have a blessed week!

RedBettySummer said...

Ganache is good! What a great dessert idea. I think I would have to try this with chocolate cookie or something other than graham crackers- not my favorite. Hope your one year celebration was too much fun. I appreciate your blog and your thoughts on blogging speak to how I feel about blogging. Thanks for your post and for Gratitude Wednesday. Beth- http://anothersummeroffun.blogspot.com

Heidi said...

My mouth is watering, and I can taste the cake over my screen! I will definately have to try this recipe! I'm sure it will be much better than my very bad attempt at zuchini muffins today.

vignette design said...

Happy Anniversary Heidi! Wow, one year! Thanks for baking us all a cake. It looks too delicious, but I will have to try the recipe.

Julia said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Thank you for your sweet comment, too:). I just love this recipe and might have to try it next week when we have family over. It looks so delicious and easy to make!

Have a great week:).


~Julia

Chris said...

Year one down, many more to come, I hope! I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Gotta stop looking a blogs before breakfast. I want rocky road tart with my coffee...*Ü*

Stefanie said...

Happy Anniversary! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and checking out my bird wall. I linked up!

The Single Nester said...

Oh my word! I cannot wait to try this. It looks outrageous!

Ami Allison said...

UM WOW! 1st Happy Bloggy Anniversary!! :) My hubby's birthday is Sunday and I was just looking up Rocky Road cake recipes yesterday and didn't find anything I really liked. Then you stop by my blog and leave me some very sweet comments about my moth necklace. You tell me to stop by even tho your not "crafty" I may find something entertaining!! I think it's fate that brought us together! So that I could make your wonderfully delicious looking rocky road tart for my hubby's birthday!! LOL! OH and enter your link party! :)

p.s. I'm your newest follower! :)

Gypsy Heart said...

Hmmmm, I'm starving! Looks delish ~ and thanks for sharing the recipe.

Have a wonder*filled day!

xoxo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

Hmmmm, I'm starving! Looks delish ~ and thanks for sharing the recipe.

Have a wonder*filled day!

xoxo
Pat

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Hi Heidi!

First of all...CONGRATS on your one year anniversary! I totally agree with everything you said regarding blogging. Who knew it would be such an important and fun part of our lives!

And second, OMG! That cake looks fantastic!! Of yum!!

Denise Marie said...

Heidi! So grateful for you and wish me luck finding the courage to start a meme like you did!

xoxo, DeniseMarie

Denise Marie said...

Heidi! So grateful for you and wish me luck finding the courage to start a meme like you did!

xoxo, DeniseMarie

Apron Senorita said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and best wishes for many more wonderful posts. I'm so glad to be a part of your blog. I sincerely look forward to Wednesday Gratitude. You have a special gift to inspire and bring joy to your readers. -- YOLI :)

Anonymous said...

Great blog! I'm your newest follower and love Wednesday Gratitude!

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

Congratulations on your Anniversary! That is awesome!

Arlene Grasman said...

A little late on this, but congratulations on your one year anniversary! I love this blog and the parties you host...keep at it!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Heidi,
Your blog is truly a lovely one! that I enjoy reading.
Your Rocky Road Tart looks so yummy thank your sharing the recipe.
Happy Blog Anniversary.
Have a sweet day,
Elizabeth

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Heidi; Congratulations on your 1 yr of blogging.... I remember my first one,,, I was so afraid no one would read it,,, but I have so many sweet blog friends now,,,I love to stop by and see what you have been up too,,, I am happy I found you as well.... love the yummy and rich torte.....mmmmmmmm

Hugs;
Alaura

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Heidi, Happy, happy 1st anniversary! Big congrats on that.

And thanks for taking the time to leave me that note, I really appreciate it. If I could figure out a way for people not to continually have to sign in, I would do it, but I'm not sure it's possible. I have to constantly sign in everywhere I go too. I know it's a pain.

Sachiko said...

Ah! How did you know that I was in mood for chocolate! They look so yummy!