Valentine’s Day is not so important to 8-year-old boys. Or at least it can’t appear that way. After spending a good amount of time thinking about what type of card and how he wanted to decorate it, repeating that 25 times, wrapping them up and taking them to school, Mateo decided not hand a single one of them out. Apparently none of the boys in his class did. I suppose that’s the way it will be until…they have someone special to do it for. Can’t even think about that.

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He did seem a little touched by my small hand-stitched hearts. Everyone got one with a tiny message inside. Best part–they took less then 10 minutes to make.

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Equally and surprisingly simple to make were some churros with dark chocolate ganache for my adult-sized boy Valentine. Maybe too dangerously simple. Breakfast tomorrow?

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Churros con Chocolate

(Special Equipment: Starred pastry tip and pastry bag)

1 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

1/2 cup white sugar, or to taste

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate

2 tablespoons heavy cream

 

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Immediately stir in flour and mix until it forms a ball.

Heat oil for frying in deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375 degrees F. Pipe strips of dough into hot oil using a pastry bag. Fry until golden (about 10 minutes, constantly flipping); drain on paper towels.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

For dipping sauce, melt the chocolate over a double boiler and add the cream.  Stir to combine.  For a thinner sauce, add more cream.