Queen of Hearts❤

🤔 which JESScipe to post for my birthday ? 🙋🏼I know; these decadent, delicious chocolate and raspberry finger sandwiches. God forbid I should allow myself an entire regular sized sandwich ,and risk awakening and angering the ghost of Dr. Atkins😝👻🍞. These mini treats are so sweet, pretty, and easy to make. They serve beautifully, with just a couple on a small plate next to a cup of tea or coffee, or with more of them delicately stacked on a platter or cake stand. What's so special about them is their ❤️ shape, easily made with a heart cookie cutter and a regular loaf of white bread. These are essentially grilled chocolate sandwiches.

I whipped up a fresh raspberry dipping sauce for a creative way to marry the wonderful flavor combination of 🍫and raspberry. This is a fast, uncomplicated way to tell someone you love them. Isn't that how expressing love should always be? I hope everyone reading this has someone in their lives, be it a significant other, a friend, a child, a pet, or a teacher, that makes it easy for you to share your feelings with. Love is meant to be sweet, delicious, and enjoyable. It should feel natural and yummy to express. It should give us satisfaction and make us feel special. Food is very romantic in that way, when it evokes the same feelings. This JESScipe reflects how I'm feeling about Love right now. It shouldn't be difficult. It should look beautiful, but more importantly, feel even better going down. It should be a wonderful experience from the outside in. It should be easy to share, and a pleasure to give, just for the sake of giving. It is so much easier to give love to others. The internal challenge we face is to give ourselves absolutely everything we love giving to others. "I love myself" is always on my mantra rotation. It doesn't always feel comfortable to say to myself, which means I need to go deeper into my core and excavate. We find hidden gems when we lower down and dig... If saying that doesn't always feel right, then I need to work on this harder. I do that everyday, some days are easier than others. As with anything, it's practice and commitment. This past year, I have come so far in self love and appreciation. I have undone decades of bad patterns and false conditioning. There is so much further to go, which is very exciting. How wonderful to know that increased joy is so attainable to us. I love these hearts. I love my heart. I'm going to eat these as a symbol of how certain I am of myself in this exact place and time. I love you,40. We have so much work to do together. 🎂❤️🎉💝
Stay with me, Lady Blaga

Ingredients: 

A loaf of white bread

Dark or milk chocolate bars

Butter

3/4 cup raspberry jam

A box of fresh raspberries

Juice from half a lemon

Tbsp of cornstarch       

Use the heart shaped cookie cutter to shape bread slices, set aside. Put jam in a small pot on a medium low flame on the stove. Heat but not crazy hot, just to break it down a bit.

Put in raspberries and gently mash with a fork to blend with jam. Squeeze half a lemon, watching for pits, into the pot. This cuts the sweetness. Add a Tbsp of cornstarch as a thickening agent.

Simmer about ten minutes until texture has reached a thicker, dippable consistency. It needs to hold on the sandwich when dunked, not slide right off. Add more cornstarch by the tsp if necessary. When the sauce is ready, remove from flame and let cool.

Meanwhile, break up your chocolate bars and place a few squares in between two hearts. Brush a griddle or frying pan with unsalted butter and grill until golden brown, or until there are those awesome griddle lines. Yay if the chocolate oozes out the sides! Let cool slightly. Platter and garnish with extra raspberries. Put your sauce in a pretty little white bowl, and dip! Such a fun dessert or brunch concept💝.