Gorgeous Chocolate!

The Chocolate Connoisseur March 29th, 2007

Chocolate mint is a very popular form of flavored chocolate, created by combining plain chocolate and mint flavorings such as spearmint, crème de menthe or peppermint. There is also a hybrid mint plant called ‘chocolate mint’ that is a herb which smells and tastes like a chocolate and mint combination. You find chocolate mint in a large variety of food products such as ice cream, mints, hot chocolate, cookies and candy. Cheesecake is certainly the favorite dessert of many people and chocolate mint cheesecake is no different. Cheesecakes are luscious desserts and great for any occasion such as family dinners, weddings, birthdays or baby showers.

In a cracker crust, cream cheese, lemon juice, eggs, vanilla essence, sour cream and sugar are the ingredients found in traditional cheesecake but many people have their own variations. Some of the popular cheesecake flavors are chocolate mint, lemon, strawberry and peach. There are some very important steps to follow when making a cheesecake. Many people are not aware that these tips can make the difference between a wonderful cheesecake and one that falls apart.

Tips

• Use only fresh, top quality ingredients
• Use only real pasteurized cream cheese
• If the cream cheese is frozen, microwave for about 45 seconds on high to soften
• The ingredients, especially the eggs and cream cheese, should be room temperature. This is such an important tip because, without it, you will never have a smooth cheesecake
• Never bake the fruit but add it on top later, so it retains its flavor, freshness and color
• Never, ever, open the oven door to peek at the cheesecake before it is finished or it will crack or fall apart
• Once the cheesecake finishes baking, turn the oven off but leave the cheesecake in the oven for another half an hour, to get perfectly moist, puffed cheesecake

In this chocolate mint cheesecake recipe, you make the crust by combining 3 tablespoons of melted butter or margarine, 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 cup of chocolate wafer crumbs. Press this into a nine-inch pan, bake for ten minutes in a 350 degrees F oven and cool.

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Ingredients

• 24 ounces softened cream cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup of sugar
• 1 cup melted mint chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the sugar and cream cheese, mixing on medium until blended well. One at a time, add the eggs and mix well after each one. Blend in the vanilla, mint chocolate, and pour this into the crust. Bake in a preheated 350F degree oven for fifty minutes and then turn the oven off and leave your chocolate mint cheesecake in the oven an additional half hour.

• Chocolate Recipes , Chocolate Desserts
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The Chocolate Connoisseur March 1st, 2007

Most people love chocolate and fruit, so any chance to combine the two and have chocolate covered fruit is a wonderful taste experience. In the past, chocolate, which originated in Central America, was a luxury that only royalty and the wealthy were able to enjoy. Nowadays almost everyone has the opportunity to indulge him or herself by enjoying the wonderful taste of chocolate.

One way to enjoy chocolate covered fruit is a chocolate fountain, which is always a huge hit at functions such as dinner banquets, weddings, a family gathering, birthday parties or even a night hanging out with your friends. Not only is it an elegant, unique way to serve fruit and chocolate but people of all ages love to watch warm chocolate cascade over each tier of the chocolate fountain until it reaches the bottom. There are chocolate fountains made for smaller gatherings and home use and commercial fountains that are available to rent for large gatherings. Most places that rent or sell chocolate fountains also sell the milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and many mixtures, formulated especially for using with a fountain so it streams down the tiers properly.

Another wonderful thing about a chocolate fountain is that your imagination is the only limit to what you dip into that river of luscious chocolate. Avoid foods that crumble or fall apart and air-dry any fruit you dip, as a lot of excess moisture could cause problems. Chocolate covered fruit is as easy as making a fruit platter for dipping, using fruits such as grapes, whole strawberries, pineapple chunks, whole raspberries, banana chunks, melon, kiwi chunks, dried fruit, apple slices, and fresh cherries. This is sure to be a hit with all age groups. Other great dipping items and popular choices are rice crispy treats, biscotti, meringue cookies, pretzels, cheese, orange slices, marshmallows, and assorted cookies.

Another way to enjoy chocolate covered fruit is a chocolate fondue, which is easy and makes a decadent, fantastic dessert. Here is an easy recipe for the chocolate.

Ingredients

· 1 cup sifted premium cocoa powder
· 1 ¼ cups of water
· ¼ cup of corn syrup
· 1 ½ cups of sugar
· ½ cup plus 5 tablespoons of heavy cream
· 5 ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate

Place the sugar, water and corn syrup into a saucepan and bring this to a boil, allowing it to simmer for up to fifteen minutes. You want this to reduce by thirty percent, then remove from the heat. Gradually add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, slowly adding the heavy cream, until it reaches boiling point. Turn the heat down and simmer for an additional five minutes. Remove this mixture from the heat, stir in the chocolate pieces and then pour it into your fondue pot. Serve bite size pieces of fruit for delicious chocolate covered fruit.

• Chocolate Recipes , Chocolate Desserts
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