The C Word...

[susie_flo]

Yesterday, with no prior warning, I came over all christmasy.  I know it's early.  Feel free to stick your fingers in your ears and go "la la la". 

It was all Waterstones' fault.  They had a big display of foodie christmas books, guaranteed to get me in the mood.  My top challenge for the month is to stop myself from buying 'Nigella Christmas'.  I know it will be rubbish.  It will be all froth and no substance and full of recipes that don't work properly.  But damn the woman, she must be the most smugly aspirational being on the planet.  Even bad Nigella recipes come with a sprinkling of escapist glitter.  I Watched her shows last year, where she floated around in silky negligees in her 'don't you wish it was yours' kitchen, pretending to be a laundry-doing hands-on mum while exuding busty gorgeousness and swishy hair.  I don't actually recall any exciting recipes, I think I was too busy ogling her whisk collection.  So I really must be steely and say no to 'Nigella Christmas'.

In truth, the best christmas cookbook I have ever owned is 'The Good Housekeeping Complete Christmas' ( www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Housekeeping-Complete-Christmas-Decorations/dp/0091852617 ).  It's a traditional gem of a book and has sticky pages to prove it.  I reckon it has had more use than any of the other, fancier, cook books that line my kitchen shelves... I even use it when it's not christmas.

In particular, this book started me off with the best recipe for chocolate truffles I have ever found (yes, another C word!)  Here are some I made last year...



Having tried lots of truffle recipes over the years and even spent a day at Leiths learning to make them, nothing has come close to this little recipe, on taste or simplicity.  I am now convinced that a perfect ganache needs nothing more than good chocolate, double cream and quality alcohol.  So in the spirit of sharing, here is my printer-friendly, annotated version of the recipe, with some pics of the step-by-step process... 

www.scribd.com/doc/7831123/Chocolate-Truffle-Recipe  

(If in doubt, use dark chocolate with good cognac or rum.  However last year I branched out and made a batch with white chocolate and vanilla vodka - they were totally yum!  I have yet to try using champagne....)

Comments

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

Mmm! That one's going in my recipe memories for future use.

One of the best truffle recipes I've ever tasted is melted chocolate with a bit of butter and alcohol, rolled into balls and dusted with cocoa. Amazing. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.

Your comments about Nigella made me laugh. I have Nigella Bites but don't use it that often (don't cook that often) but she does have a fab recipe for 'make in the blender' chocolate and coffee cake which works. It's hard to find a decent veggie cookery book which has all the basic recipes and techniques without being too simple.

I do have a recipe somewhere for homemade Bailey's if you're interested?

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Homemade Baileys you say? I am trying to think of a good reason why I would not want such a recipe... and nope, there really isn't one! Give!

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

450ml whisky
400ml whipping cream
1 400g can condensed milk
1 dessert spoon freshly made coffee
1 tsp vanilla extract
60ml Kahlua (optional)

Stick in the blender for a minute or so. It will keep in a chilled container in the fridge for a couple of months. You can change the balance of flavourings if it doesn't taste right to you.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks... (I never would have guessed the condensed milk)

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

ps... I meant to say, have you looked at Leith's Vegetarian Bible?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leiths-Vegetarian-Bible-Polly-Tyrer/dp/0747557160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226238439&sr=8-1

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

Apparently there's a Good Housekeeping vegetarian bible. Mum was given one of the GH bibles as a wedding present and she used it for years - they're really good.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Yay for Good Housekeeping! Uncool but skill (like the Women's Institute) :-)

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

Not just "use dark chocolate" but us the best quality you can lay your hands on. Valrhona is used by a lot of chocolatiers.

Which reminds me - I haven't been to l'Artisan du Chocolat for months, I really must rememdy that. I have a dire need for chocolate sea-salted caramels.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Ooh - salted caramels, total yum! Must get some of those... I can see you are a connoisseur. (Unfortunately my brain hates me and I am now song-virused with chocolate salty balls)