There's a new ingredient on the baking scene, and it's rich, dark and handsome ;) Let’s face it: it’s just not Valentine’s Day without chocolate, because it has long been associated with passion, romance and love. From the moment chocolate was discovered, it was considered valuable, divine and decadent. The first chocolate candy was invented in the 1860’s by Cadbury, who was the first to market them in a heart shaped box for Valentine’s Day, around the same time. Elaine Sherman wrote: “… chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, seductive, suggestive, rich, luxurious, celestial…”
Thinking about making a romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day? Go ahead, remind that special someone just how wonderful they really are – there’s no better way to say ‘I love you’. These seductively easy and decadent desserts will tie a bow around any dinner menu, from take out to filet Mignon. So, open some champagne and let the taste and smell of these desserts flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eat them slowly and take the time to savor every bite. I can’t think of a better way to start off an evening of love! These recipes are a big nod to my sister Charisa, a true chocoholic in her own right.
1 c heavy cream
1 lg bar dark chocolate, broken into pieces
3 egg yolks
1 shot Kahula
Reduce cream until bubbles go from fast and small to slow and large. Reduce by half. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate. Let cool slightly and whisk in egg yolks and Kahula. Pour into wine glasses or small vessel of choice. Chill for a few hours and garnish with whipped cream and strawberries or raspberries.
Chocolate Torte
1 stick butter
2 (7 oz.) bars Special Dark chocolate
3/4 c sugar
5 eggs, separated
1/3 c flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9" springform pan. In double boiler, combine chocolate, sugar and butter. Simmer until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Whisk in egg yolks and stir in flour until just blended. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form- do not over-beat. Stir in 1/3 whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining whites. Spoon into prepared pan and bake 35 - 40 min. Cool and dust with sifted confectioners' sugar.
True Love Truffles
6 oz. dark chocolate
3 T dark corn syrup
1 c brandy (whiskey or rum)
1 pkg. chocolate wafer cookies, crushed
1 c chopped walnuts
1/2 c chopped candied cherries
1/2 c confectioners' sugar
granulated sugar
Melt chocolate in double boiler. Remove from heat and add corn syrup and brandy. In mixing bowl, add chocolate wafer crumbs, nuts, cherries and confectioners' sugar. Add melted chocolate and let stand 30 min. Form mixture into balls and roll in sugar.
