World Chocolate Day: Sweeeet!

September 4th must be one of the best “holidays” of the year! It’s World Chocolate Day! The annual event reportedly began in 2003.

This year, why not host a chocolate party in honor of the special event? Pick up the popular 2000 film Chocolat and watch it with your friends. And the kids will enjoy the Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory flicks.

Chocolate Festivals:

• 14th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival – Be sure to stop by this fun fest on September 12 and 13, 2009, held in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.
• 4 Day Artisan Chocolate and Storyteller Cruise – Take a trip on the Manitou. From September 24th until September 28, 2009.
   
• Oakhurst Chocolate and Wine Festival - From chocolate to crafts and car shows, this one is a must-do on October 11 and 12th, 2009.
• 3rd Annual Chocolate Festival of Texas – This fun time takes place Saturday, November 7, 2009, in Houston. Wine tasting, chocolate competitions, cooking schools and more – just in time for the holiday season!

Chocolate Fun and Games:

• Into the Groove – Play this chocolaty game online.
• Cadbury Chocolate Machine – Whip up all sorts of chocolaty goodies online.

Heavenly Beverages:

• Chocolate Martini – This alcoholic drink uses two ingredients: White Cream de Cacao and Vodka. Delish!
• Almond Chocolate Coffee
• Chocolate Cake Shooter – You’ll need Frangelico, one lemon and Citron Vodka.
• Vanilla Chocolate Chip Root Beer Floats - This recipe calls for 4 ingredients - vanilla chocolate chip ice cream, root beer, whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Yum!
• Mocha Coffee Mix

Chocolate  Dishes:

• Harvest Slice – From Cadbury, this recipe is rich and tasty in a puff pastry!
• Tiramisu Crown – This smooth dessert has a bit of an edge to it – coffee liquor is included.
• Chocolate Snowball Cake – Watch how to make this fabulous dessert!
• Easy Pain au Chocolat - From Chef Laurent Tourondel, this recipe takes just minutes to make and uses two ingredients: croissants and Nutella (or something similar)
• White Chocolate-Coconut Cookies – This delish and simple recipe is from Paula Deen.
• Tra Vigne Chocolate Tiramisu – If you love Tiramisu, you’ll love this recipe from Michael Chiarello.
• Chocolate Caramel Fondue – Talk about simple! You’ll need a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a jar of caramel sauce and milk to make the fondue. Use your imagination when it comes to the dippers – fruit, crackers, marshmallows….
• Chocolate Orange Liqueur Souffle with Chocolate Sauce – ‘Nuff said!
• Frozen Chocolate Mousse Pie – This nice refreshing dessert that takes just minutes to whip up, is from the talented Paula Deen. The recipe calls for chocolate crème liqueur too.

All About Brownies:

• Truffle Brownies – This popular recipe uses 3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate and is topped off with chocolate ganache.
• Low Fat Chocolate Brownies - This recipe, from Rehana Khambaty, calls for dark chocolate, apple sauce, cocoa powder and walnuts.
• Amaretto Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts – This recipe uses 8 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and a few tablespoons of amaretto liqueur and makes 12.
• Mexican Rhubarb Chocolate Chunk Brownies – Chocolate and rhubarb - who knew?
• Brownie Pudding – This recipe from the Barefoot Contessa, is a viewer favorite.

Happy World Chocolate Day.  Enjoy!