Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Although I was sure I am too young for this, my daughter is graduation from high school anyway. I am sure I will have a question about this every day and will need your help and also assurances that I do not look AT ALL old enough to have an almost 19 year old daughter.

Question one: dessert is all about the chocolate so I am having (among other things) a chocolate fountain. I am borrowing it from a friend and have personally never had anything to do with one. I have some great Belgian chocolate chips on order and looked on line and saw that oil was added to the chocolate for this things. Anyone have any tips for me? Ratios. Dippers. More assurances about how those laugh lines only enhance my youthful appearance.

Mary

Mary,

Being the senior citizen of this community, the following is dedicated to you with respect and affection....

"There is this vivid memory of the day I retired and first saw the picture you have used on this forum for those many, many years. My trophy wife and I had hopes that you started your family early enough to pay $3,000 college tuitions for your children. When you begin to mature, you will understand true and youthful beauty develops with the wisdom of age."

I am so full of

CC

You look mahvelous darling...

I'm not a big fan of chocolate fountains, but fruit, e.g., strawberries, pineapple, bananas, etc. are usual. Also, cubed pound cake...heck, you could even use rice krispie treats.

Amy

Marshmallows are also big with the fountain. A friend has one that she rolls out for kiddie dessert....will ask her about the oil. I think she does cream and chocolate.
I love toblerone for fondue but might clog up the fountain.

And ditto what Amy said, you look Mahvelous! Your daughter is obviously gifted and graduated early.

Like Amy, I am not a fan of the fountain, but that said, I've seen my fair share at events. Fruit kabobs seem to be easy to dip, along with various cookies (graham crackers would be different) and of course marshmellows.

And, I am sure that you and your daughter are always mistaken for sisters!!!!!!

ilene

What? Are you a tribble? Were you just born pregnant?

Thank you all, even Tim.
I was going to do fruit, marshmallows and Petit Buerres which are a buttery cookie that is not very sweet. I was also thinking pretzels. My daughter does not like fruit, actually she would probably like a straw.
Jean, thanks for finding out about the oil. My friend is bringing her fountain over tomorrow so I will read the instructions which could be helpful.

Here is my plan so far:
apps:
chips and salsa
She loves the jarred Paul Newman (I think) from the States with corn and black beans. No raw tomatoes (the fussy child is graduating) but I thought I would make my regular recipe using canned chopped tomatoes instead of fresh and roasting some corn and tossing in some black beans. (I usually make the pico de gallo from the Coyote Cafe and I have done it with canned out of season).
Mini bagels with lox and cream cheese, hummus, sun dried tom. spread and plain cream cheese (I ordered this from an American baker here). She's going to be going to Brooklyn so this was a no brainer
crudites
other chip type things

Mains:
Mixed things to grill. I just ordered a bunch of mixed kabobs and sausages from my butcher.
Potato salad (thanks to my friend Christine)
Pasta salad (thanks to my mom and dad who flew over with 2 giant sticks of pepperoni)
Something like a green salad...

Dessert
The grand chocolate experience.
The fountain with things to dip
Profiteroles with chocolate sauce (already baked and filled with ice cream, not ideal I know but it will do)
World Peace Cookies
Brownies
Peanut butter cups with small chocolates on top so the look like graduation caps

I am also going to have a champagne punch (something like mimosa I thought... she wanted frozen daiquiris. That is what I get for raising my kids in Europe).

Your thoughts are always appreciated (even Tim's)

Mary

PS Nance... your link didn't work.

Mary
Menu looks great (and so do you)
Pretzels are a great idea....I love the salty sweet thing. Salty caramels would also be good (or regular caramels if you can't find or make the salty ones).

She is a lucky girl!

ilene

you look mahvelous