22ND DAY OF CHRISTMAS - FINDING BALANCE WITH CHOCOLATE
Yesterday I posted about beautiful, healthy cookbooks. Three days ago it was yoga. You may think thats because I’m some kind of health nut. You’re so wrong. But I do think in life we all need balance. And so as a balancing act for yesterday's health, today we have chocolate truffles.
A great last minute gift that you can easily make at home, and that make you look like some kind of domestic god(dess). I’ve done a good bit of testing - making and eating, and the BBC good food chocolate truffle recipe is a winner. I use it as a base then add my own flavours along the way. Past years have seen chilli, rum, lavender, orange and even cardamon. The rum are always a sure fire thing, but you do have to cool them for a lot longer!
INGREDIENTS
- 300g good-quality dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids
- 300ml pot double cream
- 50g unsalted butter
METHOD
Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Next is the fun part - get creative with your flavours. Try orange zest, your favourite booze, spices - the best thing is that you have to taste it all to make sure you've got the flavours balanced.
Once you're happy with the flavours, pop the bowls in the fridge for around 4 hours.
To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto greaseproof paper.
Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on greaseproof paper. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder.
