You know how I like my obscure food holidays (especially when chocolate is involved), and with tomorrow being National Frappe Day, I decided to do some digging and find a chocolate frappe recipe!

A frappe is a Greek beverage (in fact, it’s been dubbed the national coffee of Greece), and is traditionally made with spray-dried instant coffee and foam. There are many variations, not the last of which involves chocolate for a rich mocha.
I’ve never made a frappe before and didn’t realize how easy they were to put together. You can use a mix (like this one from Ghirardelli) or gather …read more

Chocolate news just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?
Science Daily had an article up a few weeks ago about the brain benefits of not only chocolate but wine and tea as well.
The dynamic trio apparently helps with cognitive performance: in a test with 2,031 elderly people between the ages of 70-74, the ones who ate the chocolate, tea and wine scored higher in a battery of cognitive tests than those who didn’t.
The reasoning behind the boost in brain function is still being studied (isn’t it always?), but it’s theorized that because cocoa, tea and red wine contain polyphenols — …read more

Don’t forget that tomorrow, Election Day, Ben & Jerry’s is offering a free scoop of ice cream at any of their participating Scoop Shops between 5 and 8 pm!
Find your nearest shop here, and you don’t even need a voting sticker now!
(Starbucks is also offering a free tall drip coffee for all customers, and Krispy Kreme will be giving away free star-shaped patriotic donuts if you bring your “I Voted” sticker!)
[image: flickr]

Senseo, the innovative makers of the coffee pod coffee machine, are offering up a Senseo Coffee Machine and their new Godiva Senseo coffee flavors!

To create a truly inspired coffee experience, Godiva blends exquisite flavors with expertly roasted premium 100% Arabica coffee beans from the finest coffee growing regions in the world. Indulge yourself every day with Godiva Single Serve Coffee pods:
Godiva Chocolate Crème is a chocolate lover’s fantasy! Savor the richness and delight of Godiva chocolate with the bold taste of premium coffee.
Godiva Crème Brulee Coffee is a smooth symphony of sweet caramel and vanilla blend with a rich …read more

I love dips, especially when chocolate is involved. This makes makes a nice, firm dip that doubles well as a spread (chocolate peanut butter toast!).
Chocolate Peanut Butter
1 1/2 c smooth peanut butter
1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 c butter or margarine, softened
1/4 c confectioners sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1 t instant coffee granules
1 t hot water
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients; stir until smooth. Combine coffee granules and water; stir until coffee dissolves. Stir coffee into peanut butter mixture. Serve with cookies or crackers. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2 cups.
[image: flickr]