Thursday, November 18, 2010

Chocolate for the Holidays

It's time to start that Christmas and Holiday baking. It can be so much work and it doesn't make sense to use bad or fake chocolate when making all your goodies.

Take a step up and pick really good ingredients. Use real butter, fresh nuts, high quality chocolate....don't use margarine or those "chocolate" melts. I guess my best suggestion is to READ ALL THE LABELS. If you can't pronounce it ..don't eat it or feed it to your family.

Learn how to temper chocolate...don't add wax or parrafin to your candy. Check out this one of many websites: http://candy.about.com/od/candybasics/ht/temperchoc.htm for the how to..

Instead of bagged Chocolate Chips, chop up a bar of really good chocolate. My latest venture is making meringue drops dipped in Dark Dove Chocolate. They are awesome.

Here is the recipe:

4 Egg Whites
1/4 Tsp Cider Vinegar
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 tsp White Vanilla
1/3 Cup Holiday Sprinkles

Whip egg whites to stiff peaks, add Vinegar, Salt and Vanilla
Fold in 2 Tbsps. Sprinkles

Put into a large pastry bag with large star tip and pipe onto parchment lined sheets
Sprinkle remaining Holiday Sprinkles onto piped cookies

Bake at 250 degrees for 40 minutes, turn off oven and let sit in oven with door closed for 2 hours to dry out meringue (hint if you only have one over, place a cooling rack over the pan on the bottom shelf and place another sheet on the rack, this gives you more options)Melt 8 oz Dove Chocolate Baking Bits (the Mint is awesome)in the microwave. Be careful not to overheat (30 seconds at a time is the way to go)(You can also melt Dark, Milk or White Chocolate bars as the dipping chocolate)

Dip bottom of each meringue into the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper sheets to set. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to completely set chocolate.

Keep in a cool dry place in an air tight container.

Variations: Substitute Peppermint Flavoring for the Vanilla, use Green Sprinkles
Use Coconut Flavoring or any flavoring of your choice. All gives a special taste.

You can also fold in crushed pecans and spoon onto the sheets. May clog up the pastry bag if you add nuts to the batter.

These make about 4 to 5 dozen cookies

ENJOY and Happy Thanksgiving

Monday, November 15, 2010

Is Chocolate REally going to be hard to find

At the rate we're going, chocolate is going to be a rare—and extremely pricey—commodity within the next twenty years
Chocolate Will Be as Expensive as Caviar | The Atlantic Wire
Chocolate Consumption Outstripping Production « The Greater World
By the oracle



Have you seen all of the news alerts lately? No chocolate....that is unthinkable. How can we stop this slide into obscurity of the most delectable product on the face of the earth? Can we have an impact? I don't know, do you?

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the lucious treat from Dove Chocolate Discoveries including the Sea Salted Caramels and all the recipes that this delicacy has inspired. My favorite is SEa Salted Caramel Cupcakes. Just take your favorit really DARK Chocolate cake recipe, make mini cupcakes, ice with your homemade Butter Cream (don't skimp and buy that awful canned stuff), drizzle on DCD Chardonnay Caramel Sauce and a few grains of really good sea salt.

This is a bite of absolute fantasy. Just let it melt in your mouth and enjoy all the tastes.

If you want to have a little fun with your friends. Buy several brands of Chocolate...Hersheys, Godiva, Gheridelli or what ever...put them next to a bar of DCD Chef Series Chocolate and let them taste, just like a wine tasting. You will be amazed at the results. For even more fun do this with White Chocolate.

Enough for today. Hope you all have your 2 ozs. of dark chocolate today for your Heart Sake.

Enjoy and buy some chocolate today.

Friday, September 3, 2010

I wish I could bring DCD Chocolate to each and every one of you.

It is interesting how we become accustomed to the tastes of some foods. I always took chocolate for granted and thought Milk Chocolate was the way chocolate should be. Americans have been so exposed to Milk chocolate as the norm and are just now finding out that there are far more options.

If you are really bored on a late summer afteroon. Make up a Chocolate Tasting and you might find out what you have been missing. This is really easy to do.

Buy a store shelf candy bar (ie: Hersheys, Nestles, etc.) in milk and maybe even the new dark, pick up a higher priced bar such as Lindt or Godiva, and then some Dove Chocolate. (It would be great if you could get it from a Dove Chocolate Discoveries Chocolatier, but Dove Promises work).

You can get Milk, Dark and White and try all three. This really is fun.

Start out with the Milk chocolate....smell a little piece of each chocolate, place it on your tongue and let it melt. Take note of the different flavors and the feel of your tongue after each. Do you feel a coating of wax or oil? That is the wax and/or parrafin put in the chocolate to make the crisp texture and sound. Do you taste caramel aftertones? What is the texture? Is it smooth, gritty, rough?

Be sure to close your eyes and savor each bite. It might be a good idea to have a glass of water handy to wash out any taste that are not really appealing.

You might be surprised to find that the candy bars off the shelf are salty, and have an off taste. They must have a very long shelf life.

You might also be surprised that dark chocolate really is delicious when you find the best one for you. Besides being a more healthy choice. And White chocolate doesn't have to be waxy, like your Easter Bunny last spring. It should be smooth, silky and leave nothing on the tongue.

One more little tip.....READ THE INGREDIENT LABEL. This is always an eyeopening experience whether it is chocolate, your food or even your pets food (a real eye opening experience).

Find the chocolate you can love and have a sweet day.

Inspiration 365 Days a Year | Inspriation 365 Day a Year Movie

Inspiration 365 Days a Year | Inspriation 365 Day a Year Movie

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Easy to do Chocolate Pots de Creme

Chocolate Pots de Crème

Cooked rather than baked, this delicate, full-flavored custard is versatile, simple and at once both homey and elegant.

2 cups (500 ml) milk or half milk and half cream
7 oz (200 g) semisweet dessert chocolate (54%)
6 egg yolks, beaten just until blended
1/4 tsp ground cardamom (can be replaced by ground cinnamon)
½ tsp vanilla or ½ a vanilla bean, split
* I use half low-fat milk and half heavy cream.
** You can use anywhere from 6 ½ to 8 oz (180 to 225 g) chocolate.

Prepare 6 small dessert glasses, verrines, tea or demitasse cups. Place the yolks in a large glass heatproof mixing bowl and beat lightly to blend.'

Grate or finely chop the chocolate and place it in a small saucepan with the milk/cream and the vanilla bean if using. Cooking over very low heat, scald the mixture (bring it just up to the boil), stirring to make sure the chocolate is completely melted and combined and does not burn.

Gradually whisk the scalded milk/chocolate mixture into the egg yolks, pouring the hot liquid in a slow stream and whisking constantly, until well blended. Stir in the ground cardamom and the vanilla extract if using.

Lift out the vanilla bean, scrape the seeds out of the pod and stir the seeds back into the custard. Pour the custard into the dessert glasses or cups, straining if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm.

Serve with plenty of very lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Jamie Schler lives, eats and writes in France. To read more of her work visit Life's a Feast. From the Huffington Post 8.2010

Chocolate Dinner Experience

MENU: White Chocolate Salad with Raspberry Vinnegrette
"Faux" Mole Chicken
Brown Rice topped with Fresh Salsa
Chocolate Martinis
Dove Chocolate Mousse

If you really like Mole Chicken but don't want to spend days making it, here is a great easy way to enjoy it and have similiar taste results.

3 Boneless Chicken Breast
6 Tablespoon of Dove Aztec Sipping Chocolate (see your friendly Chocolatier)
6 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Jalepeno Pepper (optional)

Stir Chocolate, Olive Oil and spices to mix thoroughly. Put chicken in a large Zip Lock Bag, pour in Marinade and massage into the chicken. Put in fridge for a minimum of one hour.

Line a 13 x 9" baking dish with foil or parchment paper and arrange chicken in the pan,

Top with 12 oz can of crushed tomatos

Bake in a 350 oven for at least 45 minutes or until chicken is tender.
(note: if you want a more "chocolate" taste, remove chicken from dish and stir in 1 oz of melted dark chocolate as a finish)

Serve with Brown Rice topped with fresh salsa

Prepare a mixed salad with apples, nuts, raisins, grapes along with the greens. Dress with Raspberry Vinnegrete and garnish with slivers of White Shaved Chocolate

Dove Dk Chocolate Mousse is a delicious Mix you can purchase from your friendly Chocolatier. It only takes 8 oz of whipping cream whipped, 1 packet of Dove Chocolate Discoveries Mousse Mix and 2 bars of Dove Dark Chocolate Melted. If you want to be really fancy pipe mousse into a Dark Chocolate Dessert Cup and top with Chocolate Curls or a raspberry.

FROM START TO FINISH THIS MEAL ONLY TAKES ONE HOUR INCLUDING THE TIME TO BAKE THE CHICKEN. IT IS FAST AND IMPRESSIVE AND OF COURSE DELICIOUS!!!!

If you need more info on the products used, let me know or go to www.dovechocolatediscoveries.com/daytonchocolatiers

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Blogger Buzz: Blogger integrates with Amazon Associates

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from my friend in Georgia

This recipe comes from my good friend in Georgia, she has beautiful twin girls and knows how much we love chocolate recipes.

Denise - ENJOY!!! Let me know what you think! I think they will be a hit.

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1/2 cup buttermilk
* 1 1-oz. bottle red food coloring (2 Tbsp.)
* 1 recipe Whoopie Pie Filling, recipe below

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment; set aside. In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating after each addition just until combined. Stir in food coloring.

3. Spoon batter in 1- or 2-inch diameter rounds, about 1/2-inch high on prepared baking sheets, allowing 1 inch between each round.

4. Bake 7 to 9 minutes for 1-inch cookies or 9 to 11 minutes for 2-inch cookies, or until tops are set. Cool completely on baking sheets on rack. Remove cooled cookies from baking sheets.

5. To fill, dollop Whoopie Pie Filling on flat sides of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down. Makes 60 one-inch or 42 two-inch cookies.

6. Whoopie Pie Filling: In medium mixing bowl beat 1/4 cup softened butter and half an 8-ounce package softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in one 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme.

7. To store: Refrigerate in airtight container up to 4 days. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

It's been a long summer

Some days you just know you should update your blog, but the heat and humidity fogs your brain and you just can't seem to get it done. Well today it is a beautiful 79 degree day with very low humidity and my brain seems to have come unfogged!!

The summer brought a lot of new things into my life including a new dog for my grandkids, a trip to Philly for the Chocolate Convention (how fun is that) and more and more team members for our DCD team.

We have discovered the joy of White Chocolate sipping chocolate, had a Chocolate Sea Salted Caramel Recipe place in the top 15 on Epicurous.com and met lots and lots of new people.

www.dovechocolatediscoveries.com/daytonchocolaters is our great website and will open up a whole new world of delicious Dove Chocolate Products but my favorites are by far the White Chocolate yummies.

Also discovered is the wonder of the Quarter Auction. This event is the "new bingo" in and around our area.

Here is how it works. A group of direct sales reps form a group, select a charity and rent a hall. Everyone in the group prepares a select number of "packages" of their products to be auctioned off. The public shows up, pays a few dollars to get in, another couple of dollars for a numbered paddle, and buys raffle tickets or door prize tickets (all this money goes to a selected charity). The "auction items" are all on display in the hall and tables are set up in long rows. When the auction starts the auctioneer displays the Package, gives a description and a retail value. Then states a "bid" of 1, 2, 3 or 4 Quarters. This is where the fun begins.....anyone who really wants the package throws their quarters in a bucket that is passed down the table (sounds like a bunch of slot machines) and raises their paddle in the air. The auctioneer then pulls a numbered chip out of the bucket and if you are lucky enough to have the number YOU WIN. YEAH!!!

When you get 200 "mostly women" in a big room with lots of their favorite products and quarters you just naturally have a great time. They laugh, applaud and even sometimes scream....It's me it's me it's me...... By the way if you didn't throw in your quarter snd they call your number....well...too bad..YOU LOSE

In most scenarios the rep for the products get the quarters from the buckets to offset their expenses. Hopefully the attendees will be so intrigued they will order or book a party from the reps and everyone has a great time.

I don't really know how far from the crazy midwest this even has traveled but it is a great evening, raises money for a charity, helps the reps get their info into many hands and is an all around great time.

Monday, March 1, 2010

It's been a long winter

I've been gone for a while and it is time to come out of the cocoon and catch up. We have been up to our ears in Dove Chocolate. The business is really starting to take off and we may even turn a profit this month. YEA. When you have a home-based direct sales business it can be a lot of work with little reward. Fortunately I found Dove Chocolate Discoveries, selling Chocolate in the Home Party environment and it has been a hoot. What can be more fun that taking chocolate to someones home, giving them Chocolate Martinis, Candy and Brownies and showing them how much better premium chocolate is over the every day run of the mill chocolate.

Last night the hostesses dog was so facinated by the process she sat at the Chocolatier's feet and stared at her the entire party. I know she just wanted her to drop chocolate but she never did. Jazzy never gave up however and by the end of the evening she was the hit of the party. You never know what will add a dimension to a sales pitch. The party turned out great and ended a Snowy Month of February into a success.

The night before one of the husband's at the party was the only one who knew exactly how to temper chocolate. He was really into the products and added another dimension to the party. We really love it when the guys show up. Did you know that men buy more chocolate each year than women. They just keep it quiet and you don't realize it is there. My Dad used to hide his chocolate under the mattress. Of course all of us kids knew where it was and always found it and ate it. I think back and believe it was a game he enjoyed playing with us, but at the time we thought we were really sneaky.

If anyone is looking for a great way to supplement their income, have fun and eat chocolate you need to contact me to find out about Dove's program. My email for the business is sweetrewards@daytonchocolatiers.com or check our the website at www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/daytonchocolatiers.

Enough of this prothetizing, let's move into spring and shake off this snowy winter and look for those first crocuses poking out of the ground.