Ashley with a chocolate martini
Chocolate fondue is elegantly served in chocolate fountains. The structure of a chocolate "waterfall" is made up of tiers of metal stacked one on top of the other over a heating basin. The heat in the basin keeps the chocolate liquid. A central cylinder with a rotating helical flighting moves the liquid chocolate up the fountain. The chocolate then flows down to the tiers where they can be used to dip food items like bananas, strawberries, marshmallows in.
Pure chocolate can solidify into chunks as it is moved along the chocolate fountain. Such a tendency can clog up the central cylinder of the fountain. To ensure consistency of flow, couverture chocolate, a chocolate derivative which is high in cocoa butter is mixed with the fondue. Sometimes vegetable oil is used to supplement the action of cocoa butter. Since the addition of oily substances spoil the taste of the chocolate somewhat, there are chocolate brands which are made especially for fountains. These brands have a much-reduced viscosity.
Other substances have been used to prevent the chocolate from clogging because of its sugar content, such as; chocolate syrups and dark chocolate which is 70% chocolate.
The chocolate fountain is an invention of Ben Brisman and was originally used only commercially. Then they began producing personal-use models. This is now a typical feature in weddings, and galas. Home fountains can also be seen in birthday parties and get-togethers.
The mini chocolate fountain has found use as an everyday home appliance. It can be kept and washed every day like your plates and bowls. These mini fountains are insulated on the exposed sides to prevent children from accidentally being burned. All parts can be dismantled and washed in a dish washer.
The fondue itself may come in different flavors and recipes. You can combine chocolate with hazelnuts. You can have creamy chocolate or dark chocolate fondue. Barbecue sauce has been used as an ingredient for chocolate fondues. Like wise cheese sauce is another popular variation. You can have strawberry flavored chocolate or chocolate fondue laced with coffee. Almond chocolate fondue has also been used for chocolate fountains.
A classic fondue recipe is Fondue Chocolat a la Chalet Suisse which is a mixture of toblerone, cream and brandy. It is claimed that this was the original recipe for the first chocolate fountain. The Stonehurst Manor fondue has a mixture of finely pureed raspberries and bananas mixed with the chocolate. Cinnamon and honey are also some of the popular additives used in chocolate fondue. And then, mention must be made of sugar-less chocolate fondue, especially made for diet buffs.
The chocolate fountain is now a standard table eye-turner in formal or casual social gatherings. Besides offering a topic for lively conversation, it gives the party mood an added cozy feeling. So if you are really planning for a great debut or wedding party or graduation ball, you shouldn't overlook the chocolate fountain when making your desserts listing. You can rent them for such occasions or buy one for your personal use when you entertain at home.
Think making your own chocolate... Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you're doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I'm confident you'll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.
Take a tablespoon of that sour powdered baking cocoa things, put it in a cup. Create it your beloved cup if it's an actually 'grumpy' type of craving (female).
Now take 3 more tablespoons of powdered sugar and blend it in. You now have chocolate you can blend in milk. If you do not desire it this way, hold on because you can do further new things with this.
Are you in the frame of mind for a yummy smooth cocoa frosting? Just gradually and watchfully crease this combination into little amounts of butter or margarine. You desire to do this until you have an ideal reliability. This is superior on cupcakes, or birthday cakes.
Put it in the freezer for around 5-6 hours. Take your chocolate out of the tray and serve it.
Think making your own chocolate... Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you're doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I'm confident you'll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.
Think making your own chocolate... Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you're doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I'm confident you'll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.
Labels: Chocolate
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Labels: Cheese, Dinner, Romantic, Strawberries
Buying someone a present for an upcoming special occasion is naturally a daunting task especially if the recipient seems to be quite a hard to decipher individual. There are certainly innumerable factors which need to be carefully thought about when deciding and buying a gift for somebody. Of all things, you are always left idling because you are confused as to where you should start with your search. In times like these, stay calm and do not panic. There is something that is surely going to make things easy to handle. Why not consider chocolate basket at all?
Take note that when choosing a present for someone, it does not matter how you come to arrive at buying the gift or what circumstances you had been through. What is most important is how you would present your gift to the recipient. Why would you let hopelessness befall you if there is an easy way to arrive at the most perfect gift ever? The chocolate basket is always one safe route to finishing the deal.
What is a chocolate basket?
Unlike the literal meaning of the term, the chocolate basket may not actually come as gift wrapped in a basket but the container could be a tin can, a box, or a bucket that is decorated to suit the occasion. The container is then filled with several varieties of chocolate that one could basically feast on. The choice of the chocolate variants to be included depends on you.
The chocolate basket is generally convenient to be given as a present because you could hand it to anyone regardless of whether the recipient is a male or a female. You just simply have to focus on the taste of the person when choosing the chocolate variants that you would be including in the chocolate basket. More so, the chocolate basket could conveniently suit your budget.
Why give the chocolate basket as a gift?
Being regarded as the food for love, here are some attention-grabbing reasons as to why the chocolate basket makes a perfect gift.
The chocolates are too famous that it is nearly impossible that it would run out of style whatever happens.
The chocolates are rooted from cocoa beans. Therefore, its ancestry could be traced back to the history of the ancient Aztecs and the Mayans who believed that the cocoa tree was some kind of a source of wisdom, strength, and power.
Chocolates contain aphrodisiac qualities. They are capable of stirring one's emotions to the full extent.
Chocolates aid in the enhancement of the blood sugar level.
Alongside with the delicious pastries and other goodies, chocolates make up a perfect present.
How could you create your own chocolate basket?
Of course, you could always personalize your gift. Here are some simple steps on how to do the chocolate basket.
Find a cute basket. It should be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the chocolates you have there.
Decide on the design. It could be left plain at all most especially if what you have is a willow basket or wicker. You may have it looking rusty or rural.
When decorating the basket, take note of these things: use a spray acrylic paint when painting the basket, you may try out some stenciling, stick out some images carefully if you desire to use some, bows, ribbons, and the likes may be stiffened.
Add some filler like colored paper or tissue paper. They must be coordinated with the decoration of the basket as well as the chocolate wrappings.
You could use fabrics to line the chocolate basket.
Carefully place the goodies and wrap them up using cellophane.
Some specialty shops sell baskets already. But if you prefer to personalize it, the better. The chocolate basket is always the best solution to take for the individuals who are after the best present. As you are faced with yet another time-consuming mind boggling game of finding out the best gift to give a celebrant, do not overlook the great benefits which could be derived from the chocolate baskets.
Go now and paint a smile on the face of your recipient with the ever delicious variants in the chocolate basket you have there as a present.
Van Gogh Vodka presents three new vodka drink recipes featuring Acai - Blueberry Vodka, Espresso Vodka, Chocolate Vodka, Double Espresso Vodka and Raspberry Vodka. Acai Blueberry Cosmopolitan 2 oz. Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry Vodka 1/2 oz. triple sec 1/2 oz. blueberry schnapps splash of cranberry juice Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker and add crushed ice. Let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with a blueberry. Expressly Raspberry 1 oz Van Gogh Espresso Vodka 1 oz. Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka 3/4 oz. Chambord 1/4 oz. cream Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker and add crushed ice. Let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with a raspberry. White Russian Cappuccino 1oz Van Gogh Espresso or Double Espresso Vodka 1oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka 1 oz. Kahlua 1 oz. cream Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker and add crushed ice. Let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass.
AP Stumps in San Jose is famous for serving up great cuisine. Complementing that great menu is a wonderful selection of martinis and vodka cocktails featuring Van Gogh Vodka. Here's their recipe for a Chocolate Martini featuring Van Gogh's Chocolate Vodka. 1.5 oz Van Gogh Chocolate Vodka 1.5 oz Creme de Cacao Splash of Creme