Chocolate University Online Blog
The yearly Chocolate Dinner happening on Saturday, March 3, at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury will take you to chocolate heaven. It aims to support the Audubon Center at Bent of the River which is a nature sanctuary in Southbury.
New Morning Market is known for their natural, organic, and environment-friendly food items and wellness products. They will be sending the dinner guests to Mexico, figuratively speaking, with the help of a Mexican Antojito-inspired menu by culinary chef Carol Byer-Alcorace.
The night will be kicked off by a “Cocktail Hour and a Half” in which visitors will be able to socialize, get to see live birds of prey, and savor appetizers–namely chocolate, spinach, and cheese quesadillas. If you happen to be a fan of wines, enjoy the wine tasting which is courtesy of some local vineyards like Hopkins, Walker Road, and White Silo.
Come dinnertime, musician Laura Volpintesta, who is originally from Mexico City, will entertain the attendees together with the Sol Shine Band. Fred Astaire Studios will also be giving some Latin dance demos and lessons as well to keep visitors entertained.
Scrumptious dishes will be served such as mole chicken, coconut and shrimp seviche, and chocolate chili cake as well. Woodbury’s own Winding Drive Jams will be offering a sweet chocolate brownie with a hint of spiciness for dessert.
The menu annually pulls out from a locale in which cacao is grown. Audubon is known for their deep devotion towards preserving the natural habitats of birds as well as wildlife.
When the snow falls, the birds from England fly away to places with warm climates where chocolates originally came from. All of these are part of their mission along with the involvement of the community.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate dessert, chocolate destinations, chocolate exhibit
I wanted to make a soufflé recipe given that yesterday, February 28, was National Chocolate Soufflé Day, but I remembered I have already given you an easy soufflé recipe before. To refresh your mind, a soufflé is a baked cake with a light and airy texture which is basically composed of egg yolks and whipped egg whites along with other basic ingredients.
I’ll give you a crepe recipe instead. A crêpe or crepe refers to a thin kind of pancake which is basically composed of wheat flour. Its name is derived from a French word which means “curled”. It may have originated in Brittany but it is widely popular in France.
Crepes can be eaten for lunch or dinner when they contain ham, eggs, cheese, and other meat products. When they are served sweet, just like this chocolaty recipe, it can be part of your breakfast. It’s best for dessert though!
Today is February 29 and this day happens only once in every 4 years, so make it as special as you can. You can make this recipe and add it to your leap day happenings!
Chocolate Crepes
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Dash salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons melted butter
Stir together dry ingredients. Blend in milk. Add almond extract, egg, and melted butter. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate batter 3 or more hours. Lightly coat the bottom of a small frying pan with oil. When the pan is hot, pour a couple tablespoons of batter into the pan, tilting to coat the bottom. Flip over once. Remove from pan and let cool. (Crepes can be frozen by layering individually between sheets of waxed paper.) |
Enjoy and have a happy leap day!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: chocolate crepes, chocolate dessert
Cookies can be many things to many people. They can be a daily treat or an occasional guilty pleasure. They can be a midnight snack staple just before you hit the sheets. They can be your go-to food during unannounced visits from friends. They can be practically anything you want them to be. It gets all the better when you throw nutritious stuff into the picture.
A banana can be a delectable dessert all its own since it is sweet by nature. Aside from being delicious, bananas are known for their substantial health benefits. They contain high levels of potassium, fiber, and essential vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin A.
On the other hand, oatmeal makes a wise choice too when you’re rooting for nutritional content. It’s particularly good for the heart. It’s also proven to lower cholesterol and stabilize sugar in the blood, and also, it can basically boost the immune system.
Mix everything with chocolate, which also has significant health advantages to boot aside from the immense pleasure it brings, then you end up with a mouth-watering cookie!
Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies
• 3/4 cup margarine
• 1 egg
• 1 cup bananas, mashed
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 3/4 cup quick oatmeal
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 cups nuts
Mix all the ingredients together. Then drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes at 400° F. |
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: banana, chocolate chips, chocolate cookies, chocolate dessert, health benefits, oatmeal, oats, vitamins
If cake doesn’t work for you, maybe you can get your hand down the chocolate cookie jar? If you’d like a scoop of chocolate ice cream, go ahead and suit yourself.
If perhaps that appears to be ridiculous, I’ll let you in on some new findings from the researchers at Tel Aviv University. They found out that incorporating dessert together with a well-balanced 600-calorie breakfast, which has proteins and carbohydrates, enables those on a diet to drop some pounds and maintain it over the long haul.
Researchers sorted 193 clinically obese, non-diabetic adults into two groups. The groups were given practically the same low-carbohydrate diets of 1,400 calories each day for women and 1,600 calories a day for men. However, one group had been provided with a low-carbohydrate 300-calorie breakfast and the other had been supplied with a 600-calorie breakfast which was loaded with protein and carbohydrates, and constantly came with a dessert.
Losing weight was virtually the same for the two groups at the first 16 weeks. But after 32 weeks, individuals that had a dessert, such as a cookie or a cake, with breakfast had dropped around 40 pounds more than the ones that consumed the lighter, low-carbohydrate breakfast.
“What you eat for breakfast does not make you fat,” according to professor Daniela Jakubowicz, part of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Diabetes Unit at Wolfson Medical Center. She spelled out that morning meals supply energy throughout the entire day, boost one’s metabolism and assist thinking processes. If a low-calorie diet limits carbs in the morning, metabolism crashes. Thus, the body tends to compensate which ultimately promotes increase in weight in the event that you consume carbs later. And that is bound to happen because you’ll be starving come lunchtime. “Breakfast increases metabolism and decreases hunger,” she added.
Serotonin, a natural chemical considered to contribute to positive feelings such as happiness, has elevated levels in the morning yet drops come afternoon. By consuming chocolate in the afternoon, the level of serotonin in the body raises which in turn has an anti-depressive effect. That said, you’re more likely to reach for a chocolate bar the following afternoon once your serotonin levels fall.
“Chocolate in the morning maintains the serotonin levels during the day, so you don’t feel depressed,” Jakubowicz said. “When you think of the chocolate you ate in the morning, you don’t remember that it made you happy because when you ate it your serotonin level was up. The dependence on the chocolate begins to decrease.”
There. Now you don’t have to be so hard on yourself. Just always keep everything balanced.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: breakfast, chocolate dessert, chocolate science, chocolate studies, weight loss
The Union County Literacy Council is throwing its first fundraiser called Chocoholic Frolic which will be held at Dale Jarrett Ford on Hwy 74 in Indian Trail, NC from 6 to 8 pm on February 9, just a few days before Valentine’s Day.
Chocoholic Frolic is a chocolate sampling event that will feature delectable bite-size tastings of foodstuff from participating restaurateurs, caterers, private chefs, bakers, and wine merchants coming from Union and nearby counties. Such food items include luscious desserts, sumptuous dishes made better with chocolate and chocolate beverages.
An estimated 20 to 30 vendors and about 400 guests are arriving who will get to listen to live instrumental music by My Gentle Harp and support the Council’s mission to teach adults to read, write, and understand English constructively. The beneficial programs involve one-on-one tutoring, group instructions, books, and working around computers. “Our goal is for adults to read with confidence the most basic daily information, such as a street sign, their child’s report card, a medicine bottle, and a job application,” said Kelly Norton, Executive Director.
Norton said: “The response has been really good. People are really intrigued by having a chocolate party, and vendors are really interested and excited about it. Some of the smaller vendors see it as a great way to get out in the community and let people hear about them.”
“Gallery Restaurant is looking forward to creating a delectable dish for Chocoholic Frolic,” said Heather Tapper, the Assistant Food & Beverage Director at The Ballantyne Hotel which was among the first ones to sign up for the said event, followed by Crossroads Grill , Dolce Paradiso, Gimme A Cupcake, Lone Buddy Boy Candy, Cone Toffee, Barking Dog Bakery, and Macaroni Grill, among many others.
And don’t worry about the drinks, they got it all covered. Bottled water, as well as coffee, will be served. Beer and wine will be put up for sale and you know how they go perfectly with chocolate-flavored dishes. The Council reportedly chose February as the date for the particular festive and playful affair since they thought it screams fun especially when Valentine’s Day is nearing.
You can get tickets beforehand for $25 online (www.literacyunion.org) and at the Literacy Council’s office, 105-A E. Jefferson St. in Monroe. But you can get your general ticket on the spot for $30. Or, for $50, you can get a Patron ticket which will enable you to come in an hour earlier (for 3 hours of tasting) and get one free beer or a glass of wine.
Categories: chocolate in the news
Tags: chocolate celebrations, chocolate dessert, chocolate destinations, chocolate party
For such a valued and delectable dessert, information about the origins of chocolate mousse is rather sparse.
The word “mousse” is a French word which means “foam” or “lather”. A mousse is a certain type of food that incorporates air bubbles to give it an airy texture. Depending on how you prepare it, it can turn out light and fluffy or creamy and thick.
It made its way into the culinary world in the 18th century which was the period when chefs in Europe, especially in France, learned about the frothing power of eggs. A French writer Menon recorded the recipes which mostly involved different kinds of dishes from fish to vegetables. It didn’t take too long until the infamous 19th century French painter and cook Henri de Toulouse came up with the idea of mixing in chocolate with mousse. He originally called it “chocolate mayonnaise”, which we now know by the more appealing name “chocolate mousse”.
In the United States, the earliest printed references to chocolate mousse supposedly come from a Food Exposition which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1892.
Mousse, as we know it today, is yielded by the introduction of egg whites. The invention of electric mixers definitely made life easier, as doing the foaming process by hand is downright agonizing and it’s just not as effective.
Nowadays, there are endless possibilities with regard to working with chocolate mousse. Some recipes even have fancy liqueurs in them, but the main ingredients stay the same, namely chocolate, egg whites, and sugar.
However you plan on presenting your chocolate mousse, as with any other recipe, it all boils down to the quality of ingredients you use. Opt for only the finest ones and not just anything you can get your hands on. Your chocolate mousse is only as good as your chocolate, or so they say. So you better get the best chocolate you can.
Categories: fun chocolate facts
Tags: chocolate dessert, chocolate facts, chocolate history, mousse
If you’re having guests come over to your house, you can always serve chocolate mousse as a dessert. Whether your visitors are kids or kids at heart, chocolate mousse will definitely make you hear them go ‘mmmm’. Plus, you can make it without much hassle.
Just in case you wanted to know, the word mousse is French and it means foam or lather. This is a specialty in French restaurants, which made its way into the British and American culture in the 1960s. The most essential part in creating chocolate mousse is the foam, which gives this treat an airy and light texture. You have the freedom of choice to prepare it light and fluffy or creamy and thick. It all boils down to your liking.
This simple yet appetizing dessert can come in handy this time of year especially when all the food you’ve prepared is finished by some other guests, and unexpected ones come over!
60-Second Chocolate Mousse
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Whipped cream
Place chocolate, egg, and vanilla in blender and chop. Heat heavy cream until small bubbles appear at the edge. Do not boil. With the blender running, slowly pour in the hot cream. Blend until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into dessert dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Serve with whipped cream dollops. |
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: chocolate dessert, mousse
You have the freedom in selecting the way you make your chocolate brittle. In this particular recipe, we will be using semi-sweet chocolate, but you can always opt for white, milk, or dark chocolate. It’s all up to your liking, or the one you plan on giving it to. Especially now that it’s December already, you can make some of these to give as a holiday gift.
But don’t stop here, you can modify the recipe by using other dried fruits and nuts available in your kitchen or fridge. And always keep in mind, the quality of the chocolate brittle will be as good as the quality of the chocolate you will be using, so see to it that you use quality chocolate!
Chocolate Brittle
• 1 pound butter
• 1 pound sugar
• 1 pound almonds
• 1 pound walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 pound semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 cup whole walnuts
In a saucepan cook butter & sugar, boiling 5 minutes. Stir in almonds and cook 10-20 minutes or until nuts begin to pop & turn brown. Pour into a shallow pan & let cool. Melt chocolate & pour over mixture in pan. Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts. After mixture hardens, turn over and sprinkle bottom side with walnuts. Break candy into pieces. |
Better yet, get some other chocolate recipes from the previous posts and try to make all you can. Then put them together in gift baskets to give away to your friends and loved ones. This is one surefire way of making their Christmas merry!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: chocolate dessert, chocolate gifts, Christmas, holidays
Chocolate is divine all its own. I’d pretty much eat anything that has chocolate in it. But orange and chocolate combination is just downright scrumptious.
The tangy note of orange is just heavenly when united with the sweetness of chocolate. When a certain cake features the combo, it leaves an intricate taste in your mouth. You’ll know it’s not just another boring dessert.
You can use this recipe for these up-and-coming holidays and entertain your guests with a cake that has the interesting combination of orange and chocolate with the crunch of walnuts.
| Orange Chocolate Crunch
• 2 cups orange sections, about 6 oranges
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°. Peel and section oranges. Cut sections into small pieces. Combine the orange pieces and orange juice. Beat eggs and add oranges, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients together and add all at once. Pour into a greased and floured 9×13-inch pan. Combine the brown sugar, chocolate chips and nuts. Sprinkle on top of cake. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes. |
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: baking chocolate, cake, chocolate dessert, chocolate pairings, orange
Yep, chocolate and beer pairing is getting so popular I might as well share a recipe that has it.
It may sound bizarre to others who don’t experiment with food much, but beer and chocolate go together splendidly, especially the dark variants. The pairing sounds pretty strange but boy does it work!
People who aren’t crazy about beer often have a fancy for chocolate, so it’s safe to say it’s a win-win recipe. Huge beer fanatics can find flavors in beer that can also be found in chocolate.
With some experimentation, foodies now have come up with something that would make beer fans and chocolate lovers meet halfway. Those who have a sweet tooth are the ones who will enjoy it better, though!
Chocolate Beer Pudding Cake
Batter:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup beer
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
Syrup:
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
• 3/4 cup beer
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup sugar
For batter, mix dry ingredients; make a well in center. Add beer, oil and egg to the well. Beat just until smooth. For syrup, make a paste of cocoa and a little beer. Add remaining beer and sugars. Heat to boiling. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Drizzle syrup over top. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Cool about 5 minutes, loosen sides of cake from pan; invert onto platter. Even out pudding layer with knife. Serve warm or cool. |
Enjoy!
Categories: chocolate recipes
Tags: baking chocolate, beer, cake, chocolate dessert, chocolate pairings, food pairings, pudding, snacking
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