Happy

From the Desk of… Claudia Marie Winter… Thanksgiving… Christmas… New Year… and all the

holidays in between. What a wonderful time of year to focus

on family, friends, traditions, and the Art of Easy Elegance.

I. of course, had my traditional Holiday Open House. .. Santa,

an elf, Dickenson carolers, and a magician. For Easy Elegance

food I set out tasting forks, tasting spoons, and tasting plates

for serve-yourself-make-yourself appetizers. I purchased

some great items to add to the appetizer making buffet from

Rustic Fork. Then I set up the brownie bar with tasting

spoons and tasting plates. Absolutely delicious!!!

The most delightful and unexpected was when the husbands

came up to me to compliment me on the food and how it was

served. I thought for sure they’d be the ones wanting big

plates and big servings. Suffice it to say we had a very merry

and festive time together. Happy Holidays to you and yours…

Claudia Marie Design

Easy Elegance

with Chocolate

Winter 2011 Volume 1 Issue 3

It’s All About the Chocolate !!

Welcome to the third issue of Claudia Marie. These past few

months, since the last issue have been busy, busy, and more

busy. We like busy, though, because busy can mean more

opportunities for success. But sometimes… well you know, it

would be nice to just shut the world off for awhile and have some

down time, some peace.

Fortunately, we have sipping chocolate. Now if that isn’t a cup of

peacefulness I don’t know what is. If you haven’t enjoyed Claudia

Marie Chic Chocolat Sipping Chocolate than I recommend you

order some right now at www.ClaudiaMarieDesign.com. Our

sipping chocolates are made of pure, ground white, dark, and

milk chocolate, no fillers, that you can mix with any hot liquid.

You can also sprinkle on pudding, mousse, and ice cream; fold

into whipped cream or Cool Whip; sprinkle on hot or cold cereal;

bake in cookies, cake, or pies. Mmmmmmm!! The ideas are

endless. Stay warm, busy, make time for peacefulness, and

Happy Chocolating!!

Chocolate Quotes

Giving chocolate to others is an intimate form of

communication, a sharing of deep, dark secrets.

Milton Zelma

I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter.

Author Unknown

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do

today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Author Unknown

Weddings and Chocolate

Wedding cakes are beautiful. And cupcake towers are mighty

appealing. But how about a sea of plated brownies. Mmmmm.

Picture a beautiful table with creative arrangements of plated

brownies. Brownies with icing and toppers that complement

your weeding theme or colors. In the center of the table is a

small wedding cake for the ceremonial cutting of the cake.

And to be really uniquely different picture the brownie table

complimenting your candy-chocolate buffet in colors and tex-

tures. Absolutely beautiful. Now that creates a wow factor.

Rather than servers scurrying around serving the cake, picture

your guests coming up at their leisure to serve themselves.

Definitely keeps the party moving with guests involved and

mingling. Weddings and chocolate… now that’s a pairing!!

Chocolate Pairings

Things that pair well with milk chocolate…

Amaretto Anise Almond

Whiskey Cognac Hazelnut

Black tea Mint Mocha

Banana Rum Orange

Pineapple Toffee Ginger

Papaya Chili Mango

Apricot Raspberry Coconut

Three Ingredient Chocolate Recipe

Chocolate Tea with Peaches

Flora’s Fantasy Tea (your flavor preference)

Fresh sliced peaches

Steep as many cups of tea as needed to fill your punch bowl.

Place in refrigerator until cold. Add sliced peaches figuring 4-5

peaches per person.

Set out dessert bowls and teaspoons so everyone can serve

themselves. Set out shredded coconut and Chic Chocolat Sipping

Chocolate to sprinkle on top.

Recipes have been tested. Variations in results are subject to age and quality of products and

ingredients used, expertise and experience of the preparer, weather and elevation, cooking and baking

temperatures, variations in equipment, to name a few. It is always a good idea to practice first with any

new recipe because results can never be guaranteed.

Scoops d`Elegance... Candy Buffet

A holiday candy buffet of reds,

greens, and chocolates. How

utterly decadent and delightful!!

Start by choosing the display area

such as a buffet, side bar, or table

with table cloth. Sprinkle with

holiday glitter and add some

ornaments or garland. Choose

some great glassware… bowls, jars,

and vases that will be easy to reach

into.

Order your Claudia Marie Design

Chocolate Delights and Baking Mixes. Figure about 5-6

ounces of candy/chocolate per person. Figure 2-3 bites of

baked goods per person. Remember with your baked goods

you want to have bite-size portions.

Fill the glassware and have on hand acrylic or silver tongs and

scoops. Fill some of the glassware with fruit such as

raspberries and strawberries. Gumdrops, hard candies, and

marshmallows will add some variety, texture, and color.

Remember, that chocolate and candy buffets are meant to be

a focal point and an interactive feast of decadence and

delights for your guests. A place to gather, nibble, and mingle.

Make it fun and attractive. Set out small tasting cups or bowls

or even consider small containers or treat bags so guests can

eat and mingle and then take some home. Yeah!!

Chocolate and Your Health

A piece of dark chocolate a day , about 2.4 ounces of 70% or higher, can reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease.

Studies are showing that there is a potential beneficial

association of chocolate consumption with a lower risk of

cardio-metabolic disorders.

While there are no optimal dosing standards at this time the

message is clear that milk and white chocolate do not carry the

benefits of dark chocolate. And that over-indulgence, eating

too much of any chocolate, will compromise the healthful

benefits in other ways.

So ditch those chocolate bars you find at the check out line and

choose quality over quantity for your overall health and

well-being.

Gifts of Claudia Marie Chocolates

Bookmark www.ClaudiaMarieDesign.com as a favorite so you can check in to order gifts for family, friends, coworkers, brides, new neighbors, celebrations, and yourself. Baking Mixes—all natural, no preservatives Dessert Mixes Chic Chocolat Sipping Chocolates Flora’s Fantasy Teas Chocolate Delights Confectionary Dots Confectionary Stars Claudia Marie Design… dedicated to the art of Easy Elegance with Chocolate.