I am simply in love with the artistry of this chocolatier. Enjoy!
Tag Archives: Chocolate Is My Kryptonite
Chocolate Is My Kryptonite: Chocolate Baklava Recipe
Too good to be true, right? I’ve been cooking for years, and baklava remains a favorite. I recently discovered a recipe that adds my chocolate and all is right with the world. Most folks find one piece of this rich dessert very satisfying, so this recipe feeds many people.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Bake Time: 50 min.
MAKES: 50 servings
Ingredients
1 package (16 ounces, 14-inch x 9-inch sheet size) frozen phyllo dough, thawed
1-1/4 cups butter, melted
1 pound finely chopped walnuts
1 package (12 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
SYRUP:
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
1. Butter a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Unroll one package of phyllo dough; cut stack into a 10-1/2-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining phyllo. Discard scraps.
2. Line bottom of prepared pan with two sheets of phyllo dough (sheets will overlap slightly). Brush with butter. Repeat layers 8 times. (Keep dough covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel until ready to use to prevent it from drying out.)
3. In a large bowl, combine the nuts, chocolate chips, sugar, cinnamon and lemon peel. Sprinkle 2 cups over top layer of phyllo.
4. Top with four layers phyllo dough, buttering each layer. Top with 2 or more cups nut mixture. Top with four layers phyllo dough, buttering each layer; top with remaining nut mixture. Top with the remaining phyllo dough, brushing each layer with butter. Drizzle any remaining butter over top.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut baklava into 1-1/2-in. diamonds. Bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, combine the syrup ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Pour over warm baklava. Cool completely in pans on wire racks.
Chile Chocolate Lime Martini Pudding
Hey #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM!! It’s 5:00 PM somewhere in the world and chocolate time all day everyday! You will enjoy this Dream Treat. The zesty pudding is topped with tequila lime mascarpone cream to tantalize your taste buds. It’s easy, fun, and flavorful!
Serves: 6 Edit
Total Time: 35 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Ingredients
1 cup(s) sugar
1/3 cup(s) cornstarch
2/3 cup(s) cocoa powder
2 teaspoon(s) ground Ancho Chile Pepper, also know as Dark Red Chile Powder (see Tips & Techniques)
3 cup(s) 2% milk
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
3 tablespoon(s) Cointreau or Citrus Vodka (see Tips & Techniques for Variation)
8 ounce(s) Lime or Key Lime low-fat (not light) yogurt
8 ounce(s) Mascarpone Italian cheese
1 tablespoon(s) tequila, optional
1 tablespoon(s) lime zest
8 slice(s) lime wedges, for garnish
Directions
Place 6 to 8 martini glasses or 8 small glass dessert dishes on serving tray.
In large sauce pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, chile, and salt; slowly stir milk to combine. Over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, cook until just beginning to thicken, 7 to 12 minutes. Add alcohol, continue to stir, and cook 2 minutes or until smooth. Pour immediately into martini glasses; cover with plastic, refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before spooning with topping.
In medium bowl, with large spoon, beat until smooth yogurt, mascarpone, tequila, and 1/2 zest. Spoon equally on top of chocolate pudding, cover, refrigerate for at least one hour (can be made up to this point one day ahead).
At serving time, top with whip cream, remaining lime zest, slice of lime, and a pinch of chile powder; serve and enjoy!
Tips & Techniques
Note: When it’s time to add the Ancho (Chile Pepper, add 1 teaspoon, then taste for desired intensity before adding more. The chile heat varies by freshness and location of purchase.
Variation: If you don’t have Cointreau or Citrus Vodka, replace with any orange liqueur or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
Make-Ahead Tip: Complete steps 1 through 3 up to one day in advance.
Chocolate Is My Kryptonite
Fortunately, there are only a few things that I simply refuse to live without. Chocolate ranks pretty high on that list. So, I am constantly looking for fun recipes that are easy and delicious. Here is a new favorite!
Monster Marshmallow Cookies
Total Time: 45 min
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 25 min
Yield: 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup miniature marshmallows
For the Topping:
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
2 1/2 teaspoons half-and-half
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
Directions
Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and both sugars with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time on medium speed, then beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined.
Stir the oats, cereal, chocolate chips, pecans and marshmallows into the dough with a wooden spoon. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake the cookies in batches until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies rest on sheet pans to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool.
Make the topping: Combine the chocolate chips, marshmallows, half-and-half and cayenne pepper in a saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pecans. Drizzle the mixture over the cookies and let set, about 4 hours.