Ah, February! I even heard the weatherman say he was sick of winter today. I often wonder why we celebrate love during one of the dreariest months of the year. Maybe it is because we all need to feel some love and eat some chocolate to help ward off the winter blues.
So here are a couple of ideas to help you share the love: Make your own paper valentine fortune cookies (http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/valentines-day-paper-fortune-cookies) This is especially fitting since the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day coincide this year. Go here (http://www.chinese-fortune-cookie.com/fortune-cookie-quotes.html) for a pdf with pre-printed fortunes all you have to do is print and cut them out! I have started working on mine, here is a preview
And of course, you need something sweet for your sweets! Here is a recipe for chocolate truffles:
Truffles
8 ounces good quality semi or bitter sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
8 T butter
1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
Liquor and coatings (see below)
Heat chocolates, butter and milk in a pan until chocolates and butter are partially melted. Remove from heat and stir until completely melted. Whisk in desired flavoring until creamy smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and let stand until firm enough to hold its shape- about 2 hours
Mold about one tablespoon of chocolate into balls, and place on a sprayed parchment lined cookie sheet
Place desired coating in a small bowl. Working one at a time drop truffles into the bowl with greased fingertips shaking bowl back and forth to coat. Return to parchment may be refrigerated in airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to one month. Before serving let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.
*Hazelnut truffle- add hazelnut liqueur to the chocolate mixture; coat in chopped hazelnuts,
*Espresso truffle- add about one tablespoon of espresso powder into the chocolate then add coffee liqueur to the truffle mixture.
*Fruit flavored truffles – 2 tablespoons of fruit puree or jam (raspberry or blackberry) in place of the alcohol.
So- what are you waiting on? Get busy, the big day is a week away!
Leave a Comment
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
