Mexican Hot Chocolate with Molinillo

Mexican Hot Chocolate with Molinillo

Chocolate Caliente Mexicano
Chile de Arbol, Canela, Vainilla

Sweet and spicy, warm and frothy, authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate couldn’t be more delightful or welcome on a chilly winter’s day.

Spicy hot chiles de arbol and aromatic cinnamon sticks are simmered in a pot of hot milk for about ten minutes, then removed. Luxurious dark chocolate granules along with vanilla extract are stirred into the spiced milk until the chocolate has completely melted. A molinillo (Mexican whisk) is placed into the pot and rotated between the palms in a twisting motion to create espuma (froth).

The molinillo is hand carved from solid wood and burnt to create artistic darker shades by artisans in Mexico.

The elite ancient peoples of Mexico would ceremoniously pour their chocolate drinks from one cup to another to create a froth in which the spirit of the drink was said to lie.

Ingredients for Two Mugs of Mexican Hot Chocolate:

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Chili Chocolate Brownies with Gochugaru, Ginger, Sesame Seed, Olive Oil, Fleur de Sel

Chili Chocolate Brownies with Gochugaru, Ginger, Sesame Seed, Olive Oil, Fleur de Sel

Korean Influence Chili Chocolate Brownies
with
Gochugaru, Ginger, Sesame Seed, Olive Oil, Fleur de Sel

Gochugaru is a Korean red chili powder that is definitely spicy – but also has a balanced fruitiness, slight smokiness and depth of flavor from the sun-dried red peppers. Korean chili plus a fruity California olive oil and the sharp, exotic flavor of ground ginger come together in this fusion brownie that is an intense spicy grown-up dessert.

Gochugaru Brownie Recipe

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Chocolate Mint Parfaits with Chocolate Hearts

Chocolate Mint Parfaits with Chocolate Hearts

Chocolate Mint Parfaits with Chocolate Hearts

With just five ingredients, a few minutes, and some cute little serving glasses – you can prepare a delighful dessert that is elegant enough for fancy entertaining, yet humble enough for family dinner. A classic flavor combination of chocolate and mint, a striking color combination of chocolate brown and pale green, plus an artsy chocolate heart make this an enchanting sweet treat.

And since chocolate mint parfaits are perfect any time of year, you can serve them for almost any holiday. Just adorn them with the corresponding chocolate shape. On Valentine’s Day make chocolate hearts, on Saint Patrick’s Day make chocolate shamrocks. You get the idea – stars, crosses, pumpkins, baby showers, wedding showers, graduation…

Chocolate Mint Parfaits Recipe

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Puff au Chocolat avec Fraises, Basilic, Fleur de Sel

puff au chocolat avec fraises, basilic, fleur de sel

Puff au Chocolat avec Fraises, Basilic, Fleur de Sel

Celebrate Cupid’s holiday with Puff au Chocolat!  Heart-shaped, check. Chocolate, check. Strawberries, check. Plus somethings a bit unexpected on Valentine’s Day – basil and salt. But the combination really is stellar. And you’ll have plenty of time to spend with your sweetheart, as this recipe uses store-bought puff pastry and takes only about 20 minutes (active time) to compose.

You might serve some creme fraiche on the side or pair with a glass of sherry. We like Bodega Dios Baco NV Oloroso Sherry from Jerez, Spain which has wonderful aromas of nuts, vanilla and caramel with rich semi-sweet creamy flavors. Oloroso sherries offer a terrific balance between sweet and dry.

xoxo

Puff au Chocolat Recipe

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Molecular Mignardise: Chocolate & Olive Oil Powder

olive oil powder
Molecular Mignardise

Hand-Broken 85% Cacao Dark Bitter Chocolate
Olive Oil Powder, Olive Oil, Raw Cacao Nibs, Fleur de Sel

molecular mignardises chocolate olive oli powder

One last little sweet bite to seal the deal, to say goodnight to a grand meal that is now only a memory. The French have a name for these bites: mignardises. Usually tiny but elaborate, often consisting of many types or flavors, like pâtes de fruits and miniature macarons. 

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