Need easy chocolate recipes

[wryter2000]

I'm part of a group of erotic romance writers who put out a newsletter every month. This year, I'm in charge of doing the recipes section. As a writer, I hate stealing other author's work, so I don't want to lift recipes (although I'm not above adapting a recipe and claiming the adaptation as my own).

For February (Valentine's Day), I want to do chocolate recipes. I have an idea for one I'm going to try over the weekend. If it turns out good, I'll post it here. I'd appreciate input from my friends in C&B.

Bear in mind that my audience will likely include people who think Redi-Whip is a valid substitute for whipped cream.

If you want, I'll list you as the author, but given the content of what we send out, you may not want to be included. :evilgrin: I'll list you as "my friend, <your first name or screen name>."

I'm going to shamelessly kick this throughout the month because I'm not a dessert eater and don't have a lot of my own recipes.

BTW, I'm thinking of throwing in a pasta recipe that includes unsweetened cocoa and a savory sauce. I doubt anyone will try it, but it'll be fun.

[NMDemDist2]

1. FYI,

IIRC the mole sauce from Mexican cooking is also cocoa based. gives you another main dish option maybe

here's a recipe from the 'net to give you an idea

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mexican-Mole-Sauce/Detail.aspx

:hi:

[wryter2000]

4. Thanks

That's a good idea.

[Warpy]

14. Mole poblano violates the "easy " rule

because it's a zillion different ingredients layered one on top of the next and cooked practically all day.

I'd throw in my "get rid of the last of the strawberry crop" bourbon spiked chocolate coating if I could remember how the hell I did it, other than buying a nipper bottle at Walgreen's for the occasion. It was easy once I got enough butter into it the chocolate stopped seizing.

[NMDemDist2]

15. yeah, but you can buy Mole Sauce in the store

not as good, but you could base a main dish around it and keep within the theme I'm thinking

:hi:

[Vinca]

2. Given your profession, why not use a generic recipe for chocolate sauce,

put it in a jar, attach a paint brush to it and call it body paint? Now that's a Happy Valentines Day! I haven't tried the recipe at the link, but it sounds scrumptious.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Grams-Chocolate-Sauce-113384

[wryter2000]

5. What a fun idea!

I love that. I'm definitely use that.

[hobbit709]

3. If you steal from more than 3 sources it's research, not plagiarism.

[wryter2000]

6. Thanks

Technically, if I use the ingredients and rewrite the instructions, I'm legally covered. I'm being neurotic about it, and even if I did something wrong no one could catch me. But I hate to rip off other writers.

I've thought up one idea...make a pie crust with crushed up oreos and fill it with a chocolate mousse recipe I'm adapting from Cooks Illustrated.

I might also have them make their favorite fudgy brownie, cut them in half horizontally, fill with good vanilla ice cream and top with hot fudge sauce.

[Tesha]

7. Erotic?

Chocolate Truffles.....

Think of a woman, reclining against the divan... with a beautiful box of chocolate truffles...


some high-quality chocolate melted with a little cream - add any flavor you like - anything from Amaretto to simple vanilla..

cool, scoop, roll into little balls (keep your hands cold for this) and roll in cocoa or chocolate jimmies(sprinkles)or anything you can think of...

we made them for the holiday, the coolwhip eaters seemed to like them best - their faces when they bit into them... mmmmmmm ooohhhhhh

[wryter2000]

10. Thanks

That's a great idea! Personally, I dislike truffles. Too darned sweet, but this would go over very well. It's easy, and I can tailor it to my own ideas.

Definitely a winner.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. Really Fudgy Brownies..

Preheat oven to 350

Melt together 2 oz of good quality baking chocolate and 1 stick of butter


Stir 2 cups of sugar into the chocolate and butter, and re heat in the microwave for about 30 or 45 seconds. This gives that shiny top to the brownies and melts the sugar down

while this is cooling, lightly beat 2 eggs with 3/4 tsp salt

Beat the eggs into the chocolate and sugar, then beat in 1/2 cup of flour.

Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and stir well.

Add 1 cup of chopped nuts if you like them; pecans and walnuts are best

pour into a greased 8 or 9 inch pan and bake 20 minutes. I check them at 15 in case they baked too fast. The 9 inch pan bakes quicker because it is thinner in the middle.

Now you have to let them cool. This is the hard part. If they are too warm when you cut them they fall apart.

Now if you want my chocolate pound cake I will post it for you

[wryter2000]

11. Thank you!

I'll use this.

I think with all the great ideas, I have my column now. I'd love to have the pound cake recipe. I could probably use it another month.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. OK, I will dig it up and also another good and very easy chocolate thingy

known variously as hippie pie, killer pie, striped delight, My Sin dessert, Four Layer

[irish.lambchop]

9. One of my favorite 'desserts' -

30 ml Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
15 ml Bailey's Irish Cream
15 ml Kahlua coffee liqueur
75 ml cream
1 tsp honey

Blend ingredients with ice until a creamy consistancy is reached. Don't add too much ice, this will make the drink too thick.

Pour into a honey lined glass. Garnish with chocolate flakes and an open strawberry.

(these amounts are for one drink)

[wryter2000]

12. Yum, yum, yum

You guys have written my column for me. I'll post it here when it's done. It's due about this time next month.

[pipoman]

16. A favorite

we do isn't real chocolaty but could be adapted.

Crush chocolate covered graham cracker cookies and knead in some melted butter, then press into the bottom of a cake pan. Soften vanilla ice cream and spread evenly around 1" thick, place in the freezer to stiffen. Soften Hagan Das raspberry sorbet and spread about 1/2" thick on top of the ice cream. Freeze solid. When we serve it we cut it into squares, plate it, and garnish it using a small dollop of fondue chocolate and sticking a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf into the chocolate before it sets up. It is always a hit, and easy.

This could be adapted by using chocolate ice cream with the raspberry sorbet. Mocha ice cream or top with mocha gelato and garnish with chocolate covered coffee beans, etc.

[Lucinda]

17. My truffle recipe is beyond easy

Ingredients:
1 pound Hersheys Special Dark Chocolate
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 tablespoon Coffee
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

And:
(Ground coffee, cocoa powder, powdered sugar etc for coating)


Chop chocolate
Heat cream until just about to boil
Pour cream over chocolate and stir until melted
Stir in Vanilla and Coffee
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate apx 1 hour to allow ganache to firm

Use 2 teaspoons and put blobs on silpat or waxed paper - roll into balls and then roll in coating
(I prefer finely ground coffee or good cocoa powder)


NOTES & Variations -
Form balls around nuts, espresso beans etc
Chop espresso beans, choc chips, nuts etc and stir into ganache after flavorings
Coat with chopped nuts, white or dark chocolate, toasted coconut, shavings, powdered sugar, cocoa etc
Refridgerate for up to 3 weeks...serve at room temp

Amount it makes varies depending on size of truffles rolled - 1-3 dozen.

The hersheys special dark makes amazing truffles. And its inexpensive. :)