The first is a sample of the truffles.
Chocolate Truffles are surprisingly easy to make. They take a little care when mixing the cream and chocolate and making sure that they do not split, but over all, a lot easier than you think!
Take 275g of good chocolate, with a cocoa content of no less than 60%. Break into very small pieces and place in a large heat proof bowl.
In a saucepan. bring 250mls to the boil. Take care not to over boil!
Once boiled, pour the cream onto the chocolate and leave to sit for 2 mins. When the 2 mins are up, stir the mixture carefully, and bring the whole thing together.
Take 50g of unsalted butter and add half to the mix and encorporate. Then take the 2nd half and add, by mixing slowly.
If the mix starts to split, put into a blender and whisk until it all comes together again.
I usually, allow the mix to cool until it is a fudgy texture. Using a wide nozzle, pipe the ganache onto a baking sheet in long log shape lines. Allow to cool completely and place in the fridge for at least 3 hours. When you are ready to shape, take out of the fridge and cut into small half inch log shapes. To make rounds, get some of the latex gloves you can buy in a pharmacy and wear them. Roll the truffle in the ball of your hand into the shape you desire and drop into a bowl of cocoa powder. Move them round to make sure they are completely coated.
THe truffles will keep for about a week in the fridge. Keep in an airtight box and they will keep for about 2 weeks.
I have coated these truffles in cocoa powder AND I took some chocolate that is chilli flavoured that I had knocking around, and I blitzed it up into a powder, and coated it in that too. I reckon that should raise some temperatures and all that!!!
Bagged and ready to go, I think that they look kind of cute!
TH next treat are shortbread with cacao nibs, which are a natural aphrodisiac
THe recipe is the same as for the lemony men I made for James back in November. One small change is that I added about 75g of cacao nibs to the flour and butter mix. I made sure they were well mixed through before adding the sugar and bringing the whole thing together.
As with the lemony men, cook for about 8-10 mins at 180degrees, but keep a close eye on the ones at the edge of the tray as they can turn from golden and sweet ,to a little too brown and not as tasty in the space of a minute!!! I usually set the buzzer on the oven for 8 mins and then watch them for the next 2 mins just to make sure.
As with the lemony men, cook for about 8-10 mins at 180degrees, but keep a close eye on the ones at the edge of the tray as they can turn from golden and sweet ,to a little too brown and not as tasty in the space of a minute!!! I usually set the buzzer on the oven for 8 mins and then watch them for the next 2 mins just to make sure.
Allow them to cool completely before you move them to an airtight container. They break easily when very fresh!
:)
Right, and so to bed. I have dreams to catch up on as I have not slept properly in about 4 days! Orlsxxx
No comments:
Post a Comment