Sunday, February 27, 2011

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Pudding



1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp corn starch
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups non-fat milk
1 large egg, beaten
2 tbsp chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine cornstarch, sugar and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk until well-blended.

Cook the pudding over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until it starts to become thick and small bubbles begin to break the surface, for about 4 minutes.

Have the egg beaten in a medium-sized bowl. Gradually add the pudding mixture into the egg, and whisk until well-blended.

Return pudding to the saucepan, over medium-high heat, and stir in the chocolate chips until they are melted and the pudding is smooth.

Remove the pudding from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract.

Divide pudding among 4 small pudding bowls, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

No-bake Orange and Chocolate Pie

No-bake Mandarin Orange and Chocolate Pie

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup orange syrup
1 (3 ounces) package orange flavor instant gelatin
1-1/2 cups (1 pint) heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1 (8 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (1 ounce) square semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted and cooled
1 (9 ounce) prepared graham cracker pie crust

In small pan, heat water and orange syrup. Stir in gelatin until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Beat whip cream until peaks form, set aside.

Cream sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla. Pour gelatin mixture into cheese and sugar mixture, and blend well. Fold in whipped cream.

Remove this mixture and stir in chocolate. Pour into pie crust and smooth over.
Refrigerate for several hours until firm (or until ready to serve).

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Cranberry and Macadamia Nut Bark

Cranberry and Macadamia Nut Bark

1.5 cups chopped milk chocolate or milk chocolate chips
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup roasted, salted macadamia nuts
3.4 cup dried cranberries

Coarsely chop the macadamia nuts and place them in a bowl with the dried cranberries. Set aside for now.

Place the chopped unsweetened and milk chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it until melted, stirring after every 45 seconds to prevent overheating. Stir until the chocolate is fluid and free of lumps. Allow the chocolate to cool until it is warm to the touch.

Add two-thirds of the macadamia nut and cranberry mixture into the melted chocolate, stir until combined.

Scrape the chocolate mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, and smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining nuts and cranberries evenly on top, and press them gently into the chocolate.

Refrigerate the bark until the chocolate is set, for about 30 minutes. Once the chocolate is firm, break it into pieces to serve.

Store Macadamia Nut and Cranberry Bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake

Chocolate Fudge Pudding Cake

2 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted shortening
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sauce :

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup hot water

Sift flour with dry ingredients; stir in milk and shortening. Add pecans and vanilla. Mix until well combined then pour into a generously greased cake pan.

Combine sauce ingredients and pour over cake batter.
Bake the cake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 40 minutes.

Set on a rack to cool slightly (do not remove the cake from the pan). The fudgy sauce will end up on the bottom of the pan.

Serve hot or cold.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Best Chocolate Roulade

Best Chocolate Roulade

Cake :

5 Eggs - separated
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar - sifted
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Flour - sifted
4 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder - sifted
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Cream Of Tartar

Filling :

2 Unsweetened Baking Chocolate Squares
1 1/2 Cups Milk - scalded
1/2 Cup Sugar
4 Eggs
1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

Powdered Sugar For Garnish

Cake :

Beat egg yolks until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla, flour, cocoa, and salt.

Whip egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but not dry. Fold lightly into cake batter. Line shallow 8 x 12-inch pan with greased heavy paper and spread dough to thickness of about 1/4".

Bake in a 325° oven for about 25 minutes let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Reverse pan onto a clean towel that has been dusted with powdered sugar.

Peel off paper. Trim off crust edges. Roll cake and dowel. When cool, unroll cake and spread with filling; then re-roll.

Chocolate Filling :

Grate chocolate and add to milk so that it melts while milk is scalding. Cream sugar and eggs until light. Add flour to this mixture, stirring gently.

Add scalded milk gradually, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until it reaches boiling point, but do not let it boil.

Add vanilla; strain and cool. Spread on cooled cake and re-roll. Dust roll with powdered sugar; slice, and serve.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Mini Tiramisu

Mini Tiramisu

12 ladyfingers, (about 1 3/4 ounces)
1/2 cup nonfat ricotta cheese, (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons brewed espresso, or strong coffee, divided
2 tablespoons bittersweet chocolate chips, melted

Combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Place 6 ladyfingers in a loaf pan.
Drizzle with 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee). Spread the ricotta mixture over the ladyfingers.

Place another layer of ladyfingers over the ricotta and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons espresso (or coffee).

Pour slowly the melted chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Chocolate Zabaglione

Chocolate Zabaglione

8 egg yolks
100g of caster sugar
1 nip of brandy
150ml of white wine
1 vanilla bean in half
good-quality, bitter chocolate

whisk 8 egg yolks with 100g of caster sugar in a large bowl, until the mixture is pale and thick. Add a nip of brandy and 150ml of white wine and mix well. Split a vanilla bean in half, scrape out the seeds and add to the mixture.

Place the bowl over a pot filled to a third with simmering water and on a medium heat. The bowl should sit snugly on the pot but the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Keep whisking the zabaglione until it thickens and doubles in volume.

Cool the zabaglione before pouring into glass goblets. Shave some good-quality, bitter chocolate on top before serving.