Chocolate Cravings!

In a crowded arena, Giada took questions from fans. One of her fans asked the ultimate question.

"Giada, what is your favorite thing to eat?"

Without hesitation, Giada replied. "Dessert. Chocolate to be exact."

This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs, we are celebrating Giada's favorite food group: Chocolate! Over the years, Giada has proven her love of chocolate with over 80 chocolate recipes in her repertoire. There is bound to be something to satisfy your CHOCOLATE CRAVINGS!

Want a chocolate recipe with the "WOW" factor? Perhaps a crowd-pleasing Chocolate-Hazelnut Tart, Chocolate Tiramisu, or even a Zuccotto would hit the spot.

Are a little brownie points in order? A little chocolate always makes things better. Don't worry, we won't tell!

Throwing a Halloween Monster Mash? You're sure to find a trick or treat that is right for you.

What's that...you're feeling like a rebel? Why not think outside the box and add some chocolate to a savory dish like this Panini with Chocolate and Brie?

Psst....don't forget about chocolate in it's liquid form! Liquid chocolate is one of the quickest ways to satiate those chocolate cravings.

This week is all about Chocolate Cravings,whatever you choose. Grab a little of whatever you're craving, sit back, relax, and kick up your feet! After all, you deserve to indulge in a little bit of heaven every now and then, right?

Make and post your Chocolate Cravings recipe by Sunday, October 31st. Don't forget to link your post of the week with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your crave-worthy chocolate recipe by Giada. And do remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed the Potluck theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious potluck dishes everyone brought! A big thank you to everyone who helped to create such a fabulous turnout for our first Potluck with Giada.

*Photos courtesy of Food Network


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Chocolate Cravings* Participants

1. DebinHawaii--Frothy Chocolate Espresso Shakes 2. Tina Marie - espresso Brownies 3. The Chef In My Head 4. Kim-Chocolate Rice Pudding 5. Balsamic Chocolate Truffles 6. Mocha Rice Pudding 7. girlichef~ Espresso Brownies

8. Michelle- Chocolate Panna Cotta 9. Allison - Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge 10. Pam - Chocolate Anise Biscotti 11. Couscous & Consciousness - Espresson Caramel Bars 12. Another Brownie 13. The Friday Friends-chocolate chip/walnut cupcakes 14. yvette-Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate Cream in White Chocolate Cups

15. Natashya - Chocolate Rice Pudding 16. Kelly - Chocolate Pizza - Categories and Cravings 17. Lana - Chocolate-Hazelnut Kisses 18. Margaret 19. Allison - Halloween Spice Cake 20. Kayte - Espresso Caramel Bars

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October Potluck!

It's October Potluck time, and our very first Potluck with Giada.

Time to make any recipe you choose--as long as it is a recipe by Giada De Laurentiis of course!

So if you are craving pasta, a little pre-dinner pupu (that's an appetizer here in Hawaii), a ooey-gooey dessert, a nourishing soup or salad... just find your Giada Potluck recipe and get cooking!


Make and post your October Potluck recipe by Sunday, October 24th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous Giada potluck creation! And do remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed the Served Family Style theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious family-pleasing dishes everyone brought!

See you at the Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Giada October Potluck* Participants

1. Pam - Pasta with Arugula Pesto 2. DebinHawaii--Peanut Butter Granola Bars 3. Kim-Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs 4. Lana - Pasta e Fagioli 5. Couscous & Consciousness - Grilled Asparagus & Rock Melon Salad 6. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Butternut Squash Lasagna 7. Kelly - Memories of Manicotti at Midnight

8. Joanna@Go Ahead & Snicker-Spicy Calimari Stew 9. Tina Marie - Linguine with Scallops and Lemon Oil 10. Allison 11. Lucia 12. The Chef In My Head 13. Natashya - Shrimp and Red Pepper Lasagna Rolls 14. Lexi--Zeppole

15. Nico - Spicy Tomato Soup 16. Chaya - Lemon Chicken Soup 17. natalia hazelnuts chocolate chips cookies 18. girlichef~ Herbed Cheese Polenta 19. Yvette-Halloween spice cake 20. Mary w/farfalle w/sausage and mushrooms 21. Kayte - Tuscan White Bean and Garlic Soup

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Served Family Style

This week we're serving it up family style here at IHCC! 

photo credit

So, get into the kitchen and bake/cook up a big dish of something your family would love to see set before them at the dinner...or breakfast or lunch or even dessert...table! 

Whether your family is large or small, blood or sweat, near or far...we want you to share these dishes with us....dare I say, our IHCC family!?  (yes, I do)

photo credit

So, whether an old family favorite...or a potential new one...consult Giada and head into the kitchen.  Don't forget to come back and share a little with us!

Make and post your Served Family Style recipe by Sunday, October 17th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous creation! Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed the Benvenuto Giada theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious dishes everyone brought!  Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Served Family Style* Participants

1. DebinHawaii--Pasta e Fagioli 2. Yvette- Rigatoni with creamy mushroom sauce 3. Tina Marie - Chicken Milanese 4. Kim - Liv LIfe 5. Kim- Italian Baked Chicken with Pastina 6. Natashya - Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze

7. girlichef~ Linguine w/ Chicken Ragú 8. Michelle~ Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs 9. Couscous & Consciousness - Mushroom & Cheese Manicotti 10. Lexi @big momma and me (Balsamic Chicken) 11. Carla and Michael-Penne with Shrimp 12. natalia crispy zucchini and potatoes pancakes

13. Healthy Mamma 14. Healthy Mamma~ Rustic Eggplant and Tomato Riggitoni 15. SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl - Baked Mashed Potatoes w/ Parmesan & Bread Crumbs 16. Andrea ~ Pollo alla Romana 17. Kayte - Chicken Florentine

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Benvenuto Giada!

Welcome! Benvenuto Giada! This is our first week cooking with the lovely and talented Giada De Laurentiis and we couldn't be happier. That's right, we are going Italian.. and Californian, and rumour has it that Giada is also quite a fan of Asian foods. But let's be realistic here... Bring on the pasta!

In honour of our new chef at IHCC, we are having a Welcome Party. Crostini, antipasti, finger foods, and fizzy drinks... However you want to celebrate our new season and our new chef.

I added this for Heather. ☺

Break out the big smiles, this is bound to be an enthusiastic season!

Create some Welcome Foods to say Benvenuto Giada! from one of her books, below, or an online recipe. Links to online recipes are available on the sidebar.

Link up your fabulous Giada creation to Mr. Linky, below, on or by Sunday, October 10th, and let us know what you made!

New to IHCC and not sure about how the whole deal works? Just check out the Welcome post for all of the info.

*Benvenuto Giada!* Participants

1. Yvette-Bruschetta with Shrimp, Tarragon and Arugula 2. Roz ~ Prosciutto, Cheese and Basil Bundles 3. Beth Anne - antipasti 4. Natashya - Rice Pudding with Vanilla Bean, Orange and Rum 5. Joanna@Go Ahead & Snicker-Hearty Tomato Soup 6. Shelley 7. DebinHawaii--White Bean Dip & Pita Chips

8. Natashya - Zucchini and Olive Flatbreads 9. Lexi @ Big Momma and Me (Linguini with Sausage and Boursin) 10. Couscous & Consciousness - Roman-style Chicken 11. Michelle ~ Spiced Americano w/ Cinnamon Whipped Cream 12. Kim- Crostini with Sun-Dried Tomato Jam 13. Leana - Fried Ravioli 14. Kayte

15. Carla and Michael-Chicken Larb 16. natalia white beans and roasted eggplant hummus 17. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Gorgonzola and Honey Bruschetta 18. Mary w/ Crab & Ricotta Cannelloni 19. girlichef~ Sage & Lemon Chablis 20. Lana 21. Andrea ~ Toasted Cecchi Almonds & Pistachios

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