chocolate recipes

Chocolate and Balsamic Vinegar Pair Well

Chocolate and balsamic vinegar doesn’t sound like it would make a good couple, but I recently had a reason to try it.  My sister gave me a bottle of Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar by Oro di Oliva for my birthday.

This unique vinegar makes an outstanding marinade for chicken or pork or pour it over fresh berries.  On the Oro di Oliva label, it is suggested I drizzle it on ice cream – strange, but I’ll try it!
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Chocolate with Chicken

As an ingredient in food, chocolate has become very popular because it is viewed as a healthy additive to recipes.

In addition to being rich in antioxidants, chocolate and cocoa powder add great flavor to both savory and sweet dishes.  It also adds a deep dark color to some foods and since we eat with our eyes, it makes food look delicious.

I know it can be difficult to envision chocolate as part of a savory meal and not only in a sweet dessert, but it really adds a new twist to ordinary meals.
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Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes

Back in 1909 Walter Baker & Co., Ltd. published a little book called Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes By Miss Parloa and Home Made Candy Recipes By Mrs. Janet McKenzie Hill.

The staff here at Chocolate University Online have created a special 100th anniversary edition of this book and released it in a PDF download format.
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Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

I recently took a cruise to the eastern Caribbean with Royal Caribbean International.  Although I loved the sun, fun, and sea, what I really enjoyed were some of the most memorable desserts I have ever been eaten.

molten chocolate lava cakeOne those desserts that will forever stand out for me was the Molten Chocolate Cake.
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Brownie Marble Cheesecake

A few days ago Bryn mentioned a cheesecake and Pinot Grigio pairing.

chocolate recipe belowWhat she failed to mention is that it was I who suggested the Pinot Grigio as a potential pairing with the cheesecake.

Having tasted several of the wines earlier in the evening, I knew upon the first taste of the cheesecake that we would have a winning combination.  Since the last of the Pinot was already in my glass I had to take it over to Bryn and tell her to taste the combination.
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Dipping Pretzels in White Confectionery

A couple days ago my children had a "snow day" off of school.  There was a good, old fashioned, Midwestern winter storm and school was cancelled.  We found our selves homebound and looking for something fun to do. 

Days like this usually drive us to the kitchen where we bake our favorites; cookies or chocolate cake.  Sadly, I did not have all the ingredients on hand for cookies or cake.  (Mental note:  keep the shelves stocked with these items!)

My daughter really wanted something sweet so we looked in every cupboard and took inventory of what we had.  Then we put on our thinking caps! 
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Devil’s Food Cake Recipe

chocolate recipe belowAs a child, my favorite cake was Devil's Food.  I asked my mom, many times, to make this cake for my birthday. 

Why is the cake called Devil’s Food?

Folk lore says that a group of Pilgrims that lived next door to a Chocolate House in Amsterdam in the late 1600’s, witnessed chocolate house patrons cavorting and making merry while they consumed chocolate.  The Pilgrims were convinced that chocolate was made from the devil.  They named chocolate “Devil's Food.”   Later on, when dark chocolate cake gained in popularity, it was named Devil’s Food Cake for its sinfully delicious nature.
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Semi-Sweet Ganache Torte Recipe

Here's one of my favorite chocolate dessert recipes.  Bryn is making it today for the independence day party.

Semi-Sweet Ganache Torte

15 chocolate graham crackers
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup butter (not margarine), melted
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup fat-free half & half
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pint your favorite berries (raspberries wonderful, frozen are OK)
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