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Unadulterated Chocolate Making
Who can resist chocolate? Not many people for sure, there are those of us who like the dark deep flavour of high cocoa chocolate. Whilst others amongst us love the light rich flavour of white. Of course, some prefer the middleground of milk. Where do you fall, let me know in the comments.
Personally, I fall at either extremes, really dark or really sweet. This is all about ‘real’ chocolate, nothing but the essentials are needed. Thanks to the people at Mayan Magic (yes that was a mini plug, I did receive the kit for free) I’ve had the opportunity to get messy in the kitchen with chocolate.
Mayan Magic Closeup
The kit itself has three main ingredients, powders, butters and agave nectar (for sweetening). Even if you can’t bake and have issues measuring things then do not fret. It’s as simple as :
- Chop & Melt the butters (bain marie aka bowl over water)
- Whisk in the powders till smooth
- Taste, and taste again.
- Add agave nectar till sweet enough.
- Pour into moulds.
- Chill
- Devour
Finished and Nibbled Chocolate
I used mini silicone tart tins as my moulds, and had a little nibble as you can see. Check back in the next day or two (or have a look at you RSS) to see about the mess I made using the chocolate. Just think, pure unadulterated truffles.
Chocolate Tarts – Easter Treats
There are so many nice things about this time of year, whether it’s the evenings being brighter or the sun attempting to shine through and tempt us into shorts. Though of course, we have just had easter past.
Therefore, no doubt people have indulged with a gluttony of chocolate based goodies. I’m no different, and I thought I’d share some chocolate tarts I made:
Freshly decorated chocolate tarts
Chocolate Tarts (x5)
For the shortcrust pastry (~400g):
- 200g of sifted plain flour,
- 100g of diced butter
- dash of salt
- 1 beaten egg
You can of course buy in the pastry, but it’s simple enough to make (even by hand). Combine the dry ingredients, and rub together, till you end up with flaky breadcrumb style texture. Add the egg slowly, just enough to bind the mixture together. Place the mixture on a work surface, bring into a ball and squish down to 2/3cm high. Wrap it up in clingfilm and leave it in the fridge for 30mins before use.
Once chilled, roll out and line the pastry tins and blake bind for 12-15 mins, at 180C.
Chocolate Filling
- 200g of melted dark chocolate (you can use plain for a lighter tart)
- 50g flour
- 4 eggs
- 75g butter
- 100g golden caster sugar
Mix all the ingredients together (set aside a small portion of melted chocolate for decoration). Fill the tart cases with the mixture, bake for 5-8 minutes till set.
Decorate off with the cocoa and melted chocolate in any dazzling design.
Sit back enjoy, and share with those around you. Be careful, they are devilishy tasty.
Early Morning Markets
I love food, and I really enjoy visiting local markets. Last weekend I had the opportunity to see the Birmingham wholesale markets. There was one slight issue, I had to wake up at 3.40AM to meetup at 4AM.
Neil - Interviewed for Big Paws by @Bounder - Taken by Lee Allen
Yes you heard it, 3.40. That was taken shortly after 4, all in aid of the 4AM Project. So a group of 30 people, were off wondering around Birmingham New St station at this ungodly hour. Check out the flickr stream, to see the pictures from around the world.
We headed off to the wholesale markets, whilst walking past a cocktail maker who was flaring (aka showing off) by the bus stop at 4.30AM! He looked surprised to see us.
I was amazed at the size of the warehouse that hosted the fruit/veg. There were many stores selling their wares.
An array of colour - Fruit & Veg.
Flower Choice - By Pete Ashton
It was a really nice change to be up so early, though we were starting to get hungry. Luckily, we had been told about a cafe to hit, so at around 5.30 I ordered the ‘full’ breakfast for £4.50. Bargain I thought. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen anyone else order this.
A Full Breakfast - By Nicky Getgood
Underneath all of that, theres a tin of beans. Suffice to say, I did not manage to finish it all. Infact I’d say I made a small dent into it. So if you hit the cafe, just order a bap – it will be big enough.
After all that fun, I hit home and slept for a few hours. Before heading back to the ‘normal’ markets, which only open at 9AM. I was after some ingredients for a pork pie, and other goodies (I couldn’t get into the Meat area of wholesale unfortunately). Though when I asked around for pigs trotters, I got told that I was too late.
Not impressed!
Market goodies lately have included: Boar Sausages, Local Ales, Pork Shoulder, Oysters, Mussels and a wide array of vegetables. Tasty.
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