Sunny Maya Massage Therapy Clinic

Of Chocolate and Other Things

And in the begriming there was chocolate. Wasn't there a biblical story of Adam and Eve and the sin of biting into a chocolate? Oh so you really think it was an apple? Well, whatever. I say chocolate was the original sin and why not? Skip the drama and get to the point. Chocolate profoundly simple, it tastes heavenly. It feeds the soul, and gives meaning to quality of life.

After a Sunny massage, revived and revitalized, take a few minutes to make this exquisite taste to top off a great day.

So extravagant this recipe says it all. You just have to try a Maury Rubin's Chocolate Sandwich a la Canadienne. (Adapted from the New York Times)

Your pantry will have at least:

8 ounces of bittersweet Belgium chocolate available in the Byward Market.

8 oz of heavy cream the 35% whipping cream will do nicely.

16 - 20 slices of French bread, we like the Golden Baguette on Bank St.

1/3 cup or more - a handful of chocolate batons (1/2" long) but we prefer Belgium semi sweet chocolate chips

3-4 tablespoons of soft butter (Canadian organic unsalted is best and freshest)

Shave or chop the chocolate as fine as you can and set aside in a medium pyrex glass bowl

Heat the cream in a very small saucepan until it starts to boil, (the 3 layer induction stainless steel works best to prevent scalding)

Now pour it over the chopped chocolate in the pyrex glass bowl. Let stand 1 minute then whisk to a a smooth consistency. Cool in the frig for about 30 minutes or until just slightly solid (firm)

Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture  to within a 1/4" of the crust (1/4" thick) on half of a thin slice of the French Bread. Press about 2 teaspoons of the chocolate chips  into the centre of each filling.

Spread softened butter over one side of the remaining slices. Buttered side up, place the slice on the chocolate filled slice of bread and press lightly around the edges to hold it together. Store in the fridge at least 15 minutes before grilling or insert into a sandwich grill. (No grill? It was suggested to use a frying pan but in this case store the slices in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.

Heat the grill or frying pan to medium. and add the sandwiches. Turn the toast over when the first side is   lightly brown. Weight the sandwich with a lifter or weight for one minute until the remaining side is toasted. (Assuming you toast one side at a time) The chocolate should not run or melt from the sandwich. Start off with a very cold sandwich before toasting is best.

Now just how good was your chocolate fantasy? Sure fits into the Atkin's Diet too. Well sort of.