I discovered and made the following recipe last week during a cooking class at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico -  one of the nation’s oldest spas.   The recipe is an orange-flavored soufflé that is easy to make, with ingredients that are simple.  As you scan the list of ingredients, you’ll notice this is truly an “almost” guilt-free treat. Enjoy & Happy Valentine’s Day!

Golden Door Flourless Chocolate Cake with Orange Sauce

PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION | From The Golden Door Cooks at Home

Ingredients:

1 cupcake fresh orange juice (from three oranges)
2 teaspoons cornstarch (you may need a little more to thicken orange juice)
1 tablespoon soy milk (or half and half)
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier (we use a little more)
8 ounces good quality dark chocolate (60% cacao) chopped
1 large egg
2 very ripe bananas sliced (1 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup mashed yam (from 1 small baked yam or canned pumpkin)
1 cup honey or agave syrup
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 large egg whites
1 pinch of kosher salt
1 orange cut into slices for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stay eight 4 ounce ramekins with cooking spray until well coated and place them on a baking sheet.
2. To prepare the sauce: in a small saucepan pour all but 1 tablespoon of the orange juice over medium heat until simmer. Stir together the 1 tablespoon orange juice you set aside with the cornstarch (this is so the cornstarch blends smoothly and can incorporate with the other orange sauce in the saucepan). Whisk together cornstarch/orange juice mixture into the rest of the orange juice that is simmering on the stove. Whisk until it’s a thicker consistency. We found we needed more cornstarch so you may need to add more. Just make sure you blend the cornstarch with juice before you add it to your pot. Remove from heat once it’s thick and and let cool for 15 minutes. Then whisk in soy milk (or half and half) and the Grand Marnier (feel free to add a tad more for flavor). Set aside and serve warm or cold.
3. Make the cake: Place a bowl over a saucepan filled with a couple of inches of simmering water. Place the chocolate in the bowl. The chocolate will gradually melt and will be shiny and soft (about 10 minutes). Stir chocolate with a rubber spatula until smooth. Remove from heat.
4. In a blender combine the large egg, bananas, yam, honey, orange zest and vanilla. Process until very smooth. Add the banana mixture to the chocolate bowl and stir until combined. Set aside.
5. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to whip egg whites and salt until they form soft peaks (about 3 minutes). Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate until just incorporated. Do not over mix.
6. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins to about 1/4 inch from the top. Bake until the tops are set when the ramequins and center slightly puffed (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer the ramequins to a cooking rack.
7. When the ramequins are cool enough to handle, run a paring knife and turn onto 8 dessert plates. The center of the cake should be nice and soft.
8. Drizzle the sauce around each cake and garnish each cake with orange segment. Serve and enjoy.

Over the weekend I’ll post more inf on my trip along with photos and videos. Until then, see who else was there!

TAURUS

Cashew White Chocolate Cookies: Taurus is addicted to sensual delights. With a mix of crunchy, chewy richness, this cookie is a veritable Taurean heaven.

GEMINI

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies:  The ginger in these cookies captures the “zip” associated with gemini. They’re also perfect for a cup of tea, one of Gemini’s favorite pastimes.

CANCER

My Mother’s Amaretti:  Cancer is addicted to family heirlooms. As this recipe is handed down from generation to generation, it captures Cancer’s love of home, family, mom and sweet cookies.

LEO
Krazy Kahlua Koffee Kookies:  Leo loves giving opulent (and sometimes off-the-wall) gifts that celebrate the glory of romance, and these cookies are a perfect example.

VIRGO

Simple but Perfect Shortbread:  These cookies are definitely harmonious with the ever practical and perfectionist Virgo.

LIBRA

Café Latte Carmamello Biscotti:  Biscotti, for me, has a simple and timeless elegance. This luscious recipe embodies the elegance and sophistication of Libra.

SCORPIO

Killer Dark Chocolate Thins:  Scorpios are known to walk on the dark side and lend an edge to whatever they touch. So we should expect no less from this killer dark chocolate. It’s sweet death for the lips.

SAGITTARIUS

Melomakarona (Greek Honey Cookies): Not only do these cookies have an “international” flavor, which is very Sagittarian — they also pay homage to the sweetness of Jupiter, the planetary ruler of Sagittarius and, incidentally, honey.

CAPRICORN

Triple Threat Chocolate Chip Cookies:  This is a great recipe modified for life up in the clouds. Capricorn is all about rising to the top, and these cookies are no exception.

AQUARIUS

Surprise Cookies:  As an air sign, Aquarius likes to keep things fresh, with plenty of surprises!  The gooeyness of these cookies is the surprise — just like the softer side of the intensely private Aquarius, which you only get to see once you know them.

PISCES

Cookie Crack:  Pisceans love anything that can catapult them into the stratosphere of ecstasy.  As a strongly emotional sign, however, they have to be careful that their love of ecstasy doesn’t become an addiction. As this recipe is even called “crack,” Pisceans better watch out!

To find out more abou Astrologer Samuel F. Reynolds, check out his BakeSpace profile or visit his Web site.

Main photo & cookie recipe: Hungry Heart Cookies by BakeSpace Member Girlierin

What are you baking for Valentine’s Day?

Vegas is a great town for food. While the trip only lasted two days, we did catch some awesome bites and cocktails (there isn’t a photo of my cocktail from Beso, but it is worth the trek to City Center).

Here’s a quick snapshot of our trip taken with my phone.

Feel free to share your thoughts on Vegas in the comments section below. Thanks @DigitalLA for the tickets to the conference!

On the road to Vegas

Thanks @ErikDeutsch for driving all the way! Both ways!

Dinner at midnight (Taco Bell 7 layer burrito)

My interview with Craig Peterson about BakeSpace - Super nice husband & wife team!

Thanks @Craigpeterson!

The food at CES was not that great, but the food on the TVs... awesome!

I really wanted this phone.

Cupcakes at the Kodak Cupcake Meetup - angel food base

Thank you @KodakCB!

Really cool Microsoft Table

Mini cakes at Jean philippe at aria #CES Vegas... If you want some candy, pasteries this place is visually stunning!

Awesome addition to any table.. rainbow sugar at The Peppermill

Ok. this photo does not do the Peppermill nor the Fireside Lounge any justice. Seriously, if you go to Vegas, you have to go to the Fireside Lounge. It’s next to the Riviera and there’s free parking right in front of the place. It’s like a very weird Denny’s, but awesome at the same time. And they shot the film Casino there!

Cupcakes from Retro Bakery (18 miles outside of Vegas, but worth the drive!)

If you go to Retro Bakery… you must order the Butterscotch Cupcake. It is by far one of the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted. And I’ve tasted a lot.

Thank you @Retrobakery!

These are definitely the new booze.

If you’re heading to Vegas this week or sometime in the future, check out these tasty restaurant and bar picks curated by BakeSpace members, Twitter followers and Facebook fans.

This brief guide is by no means a definitive list to eating in Vegas it ain’t too shabby.

Please feel free to add your own suggestions (simply post a comment), and let us know specifically where we should go, what we should order, and why.

Download our “CES Foodie Survival Guide“

Breakfast

• EURO STYLE: BOUCHON (Venetian) – Cute French place, great decor & order the Boudin Blanc
• BUFFET: We love the WYNN – Get the Fluffy French Toast
• LATE RISERS (BRUNCH): MESA GRILL (Ceasers) – You will love the Blueberry coffee cake & SIMON (Palms) – if you’re still there on Sunday, they have a great Rock & Roll Brunch – PJs allowed
• ROOM SERVICE: the WYNN – order the Eggs Benedict

Lunch

• STRIP BURGER – Blue Cheese Burger w/Bacon
• BLT BURGER (Mirage) – Turkey Burger
• SILK ROAD (Vdara Hotel in City Center) - Mini Burgers – dress is more business casual
  
• MIX IT UP: PAMPAS (Planet H) – Try the garlic fries w/ aoli from the calamari appetizer

Dinner

• THE COUNTRY CLUB (Wynn) : If you’ve got business to do
• FLEUR DE LYS (Mandalay Bay): If you can afford it.
• MON AMI GABI (Paris): Super romantic!
• NORA’S ITALIAN CUISINE: LOCAL SECRET – Baked Ziti or Frutti de Mare (off the strip)
  

Drinks

• LIFE CHANGING: BESO (City Center)
• MAKE AN IMPRESSION: PARASOL (Wynn) - order the Asian Equation Cocktail
  
• WIERD, BUT GOOD: DOUBLE DOWN SALOON - Ass Juice Cocktail (yes, it’s real)
• ALL YOU CAN DRINK: BATTISTA’S HOLE IN THE WALL - Order house wine with dinner & free refills

Old School

• BATTISTA’S HOLE IN THE WALL: Bacon wrapped turkey & lamb drizzled w/ balsamic vinegar
• BINIONS’ CAFE: Burgers & Bean Soup w/Cornbread 24/7
• PEPPERMILL FIRESIDE: Order a Scorpion & breakfast 24/7 – celebrity central
• THE OMELET HOUSE (Plaza Hotel) – Heard from @TheStripPodcast that the original Omelet House at Charleston/Rancho is “totally worth it for the hot pumpkin bread.” Thanks!
  

Late Night

• HOT WINGS: HOOTERS – .25 cent hot wings after 1 am
• GIRLS & HANGOVER FOOD: THE HARD ROCK
• CROWD PLEASER: FIRST FOOD (Palazzo) – Mojito Lamb Chops to Tortilla Soup
• WOOD FIRE PIZZA: STRATTA (Wynn)

Treats

• CUPCAKES: RETRO BAKERY – Cinnamon Toast Cupcakes (closes at 6pm, but they deliver!)
  
• ICE CREAM: SERENDIPITY 3 (Caesars)- $9 Frozen Hot Chocolate & ENOTECA SAN MARCO (Venetian) Gelato
• DESSERT: FIREFLY TAPAS KITCHEN – Banana-Nutella Sandwiches
• CHOCOLATE: FRANCOIS PAYARD CHOCOLATIER (Caesars) -truffles
• PASTRIES & COFFEE: JEAN-PHILIPPE MAURY PATISSERIE (Bellagio)

Off the Strip

• GET DIRTY: ELLIS ISLAND BBQ – Ribs $ 2 beer
• BREAKFAST: HASH HOUSE A GO GO – Any hash or scramble (coffee also good)
• LOW CARB BREAKFAST: JAMMS RESTAURANT (closes at 3 pm)
• INTERNATIONAL: RAKU (Japanese), LOTUS OF SIAM (Thai – lunch until 2 pm), NAMASTE INDIAN CUISINE – (Great buffet under $10, but ends at 3 pm)

Eating at the Conference?
Check out the Bistro CES -  Tables of 4 or 10 can be reserved in advance of the show for lunch, so you can be sure to always have a convenient place to eat, meet, and network. Your table reservation includes buffet lunch tickets, so you can skip the long lines and get right down to business.

Download our ” Pocket Guide to CES Food“

Special thanks to…

To all our friends, fans and members who helped us put together this list… thank you!
@shetakesthecake, @datatv, @RetroBakery, @Cheap_eats, @MrsWheelbarrow, @requinn, @darlakrusee, @keeponrunnin, @fieldsofcake, @MiaCucina. @dinnerwithdavid, @KatManalac, @wrapstar, @christine426, @alanajoy, @ddh77@abbiebassett, @mrtraincom, @courmetfury, @startupdotcom, @whynnlasvegas, @thestrippodcast, @cirena, @robmader ,  @tastinglasvegas, C.McAllister, C. Godinez, H. Hilton, J. Martin, D. Mendoza, M. Milliren, G. Witham & J. Conlin.

Today’s Featured Recipe

Rice Stuffed Artichokes – Simple and Easy
PRINT RECIPE

by BakeSpace Member akmoni

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1-2

Ingredients:
1/2 to 1 Artichoke per person
Rice – boxed mix or your own
Ricotta Cheese
Seasoned Panko
Seasoned Crushed Tomatoes

Directions:

* Clean artichokes. Cut off stems and remove coarse thick leaves. Trim off the points on remaining leaves. Cut artichoke in half to reveal heart.
* Tear out the heart. Yes I am cruel; I just rip it out. Set the heart aside. Scoop out the fuzzy part and discard. Repeat process for the remaining chokes.
* Start your rice. Add a little bit of extra water or broth. Tear the hearts into small pieces and stir into the uncooked rice mixture.
* Place the artichoke halves in the rice so that they touch the bottom of the pan and are mostly covered with liquid. A skillet with lid works really well.
* Cook until rice and artichokes are tender and liquid is reduced. Keep an eye on the artichokes so that they do not overcook. Remove early if necessary.
* Place artichokes on an oven safe pan. Fill with rice. Top rice with ricotta and then panko. Broil until the panko is browned and the cheese is warm.
* Plate and serve with remaining rice and crushed tomatoes. Simple and easy.
* Now throw what you can in the dishwasher and curl up in front of the TV with a big bowl of comfort!