XOXO

Sooooooo, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. 

Aaaaaand my husband’s team lost the Superbowl.

Aaaaaand I got the worst stomach virus of my life. 

Is this month still redeemable?

I daresay yes, yes it is.

Sweet Bellas, do I have a treat for you…or should I say treat(s).

This month shall be action packed chock full of goodness to the last drop.

I mustn’t spoil all the surprises….but to kick things off,

I have invited four guest bloggers to share something glorious with you

each Monday, for the month of February.

After all, the spirit of Mangiabella is about 

tasting the beauty of life, 

and sharing it with you...

It was almost four years ago, that I entered a recipe contest. And through that recipe contest, a community of kindred spirits began to form. And within that community, a certain thread was birthed. And within that thread, friendships emerged. And through those friendships, one particular friendship became a sisterhood.

It is my great pleasure to introduce the very Multi-Dimensional Lorraine Brown, Actress, Writer, Poet & Lyricist, Former NFL Chicago Bears Cheerleader (The Honeybears), Co-Founder of the Chicago Bulls Cheerleaders (The Luv-A-Bulls), Decorator, Cook (with recent appearance on the Live Well Network's “My Family Recipe Rocks” hosted by Joey Fatone), and so much more...

She will inspire you with incredible meals, poignant poetry, and her heart of gold. Beauty drips from her fingertips and her words....truly....are a GIFT.

Please take a moment to stop by her blog, you’ll be so very glad you did. 

Take it away Lorraine…

When my beautiful friend and soul sister asked me to write a guest post, I didn’t hesitate to say...  

 “Chyeahhhh”!

Jaime, to step inside your blog is to step inside a fresh spring meadow ~

     the presence of a loving spirit washes over us as you invite us to feast on life!

From the very first day I visited, the beauty and eloquence of your words drew me in – as if there was something greater here than keystrokes – I felt the sincerity of a heart overflowing with love!
In you I’ve found a sister and my life is rich because of your friendship... 
~

"Sweet Bella Jaime"

You bring warmth to a cold winter’s day
By the light you shine so brightly our way,
You inspire us with phrases which danced across your keys,
Your ambition is to share His love, to encourage and to please...
You challenge us so gently as you give us thoughts to ponder,
And cheer us on when weaker moments tempt our souls to wander...
Your hunger for the best in life whets our appetite
As you combine ingredients to comfort and delight...
You blend the truth together with the goodness from above,
Mix it in with tenderness and serve it up with love...
You pour a glass to cheer us on
And celebrate the day,
Then prepare for us a hearty feast
And send us on our way...
Your recipes for food and life
Leave us wanting more...
Yes, just another bite
Of the flavors we adore...
Satisfied, yet stirred
To reach the highest height...
Savoring each morsel ~
Tasting ALL of Life!

~ (Love, Lorraine) ~

Sweet Jaime... In keeping with the delicious theme of your blog I’d like to finish with a recipe... and...

Since February is the month of LOVE ~ Let’s celebrate the best way I know how....with....

CHOCOLATE! 

Lovely Lava Cake:

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature) – plus extra for ramekins.
1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (melted)
3 large eggs

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Dutch Cocoa (sifted) for dusting inside of ramekins

Confectioner’s sugar (sifted) for dusting finished cakes

Steps: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Lightly butter 6 small (3/4 cup) ramekins (or 6 muffin tins). Dust with sifted cocoa and tap out excess...
place on cookie sheet and set aside. 

In bowl of electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy; Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour and salt just until combined
then add melted chocolate until just combined.

Pour batter into the six ramekins (or tins) and keeping them on the cookie sheet, place in 400 degree oven. Bake approx. 8 – 12 minutes until tops of cakes are puffed and cracked
(the insides of the cracks will appear wet).

Remove from oven and either serve immediately inside the ramekins or let the cakes stand for 10 minutes,
then run a knife around the inside of ramekins to loosen and turn them out (bottom sides up) on to individual plates.
Dust with sifted confectioner’s sugar.

Serve with ice cream (vanilla is our favorite) – or whipped cream
  - or both if desired...    We Desire ;)

(adapted from various recipes, including Martha Stewart and Williams Sonoma)