The chocolate martini is one of the world's most romantic cocktails. This chocolate martini recipe is the perfect start for a romantic meal or Valentine's Day dinner. In fact, chocolate martinis are among the most ordered flavored martinis on most bar menus. Chocolate martini recipes are easy to mix up. For a white chocolate martini, simply follow this recipe and substitute the chocolate liqueur with Godiva white chocolate liqueur. For a rapsberry chocolate martini, substitute the vanilla vodka with Stoli Razberi vodka. Here's what you'll need to make a chocolate martini. This will serve one person. Godiva Chocolate Martini 2 ounces of Godiva chocolate liqueur 1 1/2 ounces Stoli vanilla vodka Shaved white chocolate, for garnish Fresh raspberry, for garnish Start by dipping the rim of the martini glass in Hershey's chocolate sauce and granulated white sugar. To make this Godiva chocolate martini recipe, fill a large tumbler with ice cubes. Add 2 ounces of Godiva chocolate liqueur to the tumbler. Next, add 1 1/2 ounces Stoli vanilla vodka. Add to a shaker and shake well. Pour the mix into a martini glass. Garnish with shaved white chocolate and a fresh raspberry. I hope you enjoy this sweet version of the popular martini. Thanks for watching.
Chocolates are popular as a toothsome sweet treat as also as a gift item. This speaks of passion and love. Whether it is Valentine's Day or Christmas or simply a weekend chocolates can be taken to the heart's content and offered to others too to win over their hearts. Indeed, chocolates are romantic gifts. Information about the top places for obtaining gourmet chocolate is important for going about with making the best chocolate purchase deals. One can simply chance upon some truly marvelous products by approaching the top gourmet chocolate concerns of esteem.
The name of Godiva comes first to the mind with the mention of premier gourmet chocolate providers. This is a popular luxury brand that makes a great presentation in terms of taste and gifting qualities. Apart from the range of delightful caramels, truffles etc. there is also a range of sugar free chocolates on offer.
Christopher Norman Chocolates is another top provider of extraordinary luscious and sensory provoking chocolate confections with classic flavors. One can get a taste of freshness in the unique products that are created in the New York factory from time to time using all natural ingredients.
Chocolates resembling semi precious gems can be secured from the top chocolate provider- Marie Belle New York. This is a provider of a signature line of chocolates made combining the best chocolate and the finest chosen ingredients while employing superior skills and techniques. A range of exotic flavors can be obtained displayed like gems in beautiful Italian boxes.
Lake Chaplain Chocolates is a top Vermont based producer of sweet indulgences- gourmet chocolates. From here is obtained the special combination of a rich fine-chocolate-making history, a heritage of craftsmanship and wonderful Vermont flavors.
The favorite truffles can well be obtained from the esteemed chocolate destination- Romanicos Chocolate. Hand rolled chocolate truffles with delectable flavors are its specialty. There are also beautifully packaged gifts of chocolates made available from here. The special Piccolo Art Collection offered from here contains hand painted chocolates that are filled with almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and caramel from Argentina.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates also feature among top gourmet chocolate destinations. The providers of the premier quality chocolate profess to procure the chocolates directly from the authentic sources. The chocolates contain herbs, spices, local honey, Mexican vanilla beans, nuts and dried fruits secured from the very best sources. Securing a box of chocolate from these people can certainly be a worthy buy.
Gourmet chocolates can indeed make special occasions seem all the more special. And with the chocolates obtained from the top gourmet chocolate providers an awesome experience worth cherishing for a long, long time is assured.
Xan Chocolates: Ladybug Truffles (Dark Chocolate) Review
Xan Chocolates: Ladybug Truffles (Dark Chocolate) Feature
- Raspberry Ladybug: Our signature Ladybug! Deep raspberry and dark chocolate filling in a whimsically decorated shell.
- Sea Salt: Crystallized sea salt & buttery caramel combined with luxurious dark chocolate if you close your eyes, you can almost smell the ocean.
- All Dark Truffle:Rich, intense, dark chocolate ganache covered in a dark chocolate shell decorated with dark chocolate swirl
- Grand Mariner: Dark chocolate swirled with citrus-sweet juiciness you could be in the middle of an orange grove!
Xan Chocolates: Ladybug Truffles (Dark Chocolate) Overview
Decadent, Dessert-Sized Delights! All natural Ladybug truffles were named after a lucky little ladybug who joined us one day .
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 26, 2010 23:28:31
It's official - Godiva chocolate is the best in the world.
Xan Chocolates: The Signature Collection Review
Xan Chocolates: The Signature Collection Feature
- Signature Caramel: Our award winning soft caramel hides a whole roasted almond encassed in a deep milk chocolate shell with a dark chocolate emblem.
- Bittersweet: Deep, dark chocolate ganache, a purist's delight.
- Fleur De Sel: Our award winning signature caramel enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with a sprinkle of Fleur de Sel.
- Honey Truffle: Raw eucalyptus honey blended with dark 45% Swiss milk chocolate.
- Cappuccino: Milk chocolate cup, coffee and cream ganache topped with white chocolate and finished with cinnamon and an espresso bean. A whole lot of latte!
Xan Chocolates: The Signature Collection Overview
Belgium Style with a French Taste. Small Batch, Hand Crafted, Artisan Chocolates
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 25, 2010 04:21:23
Godiva Chocolatier in London
It is easy to make impressive and delicious homemade chocolates for family and friends at Easter or anytime. You can purchase Easter chocolate molds at most specialty or discount stores and a wide variety of chocolate at your local supermarket. With a bit of time and patience you will soon be turning out gorgeous homemade chocolates.
Types of Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, sugar and vanilla. It is stronger and richer than milk or white chocolate and is usually the preferred choice for cooking.
Milk chocolate contains the same ingredients as dark chocolate but has added milk solids. It is sweeter, creamier, softer in texture and less intense than dark chocolate.
White chocolate doesn't contain cocoa solids, only cocoa butter blended with sugar, milk solids and flavourings, such as vanilla. It is rich, creamy and sweeter than milk chocolate.
Eating chocolate - dark, milk and white - can be used for cooking. Dark varieties include bitter, semi-sweet and sweet. Bitter chocolate has up to 80% cocoa liquor and butter with a minimal amount of sugar. Sweet chocolate has a higher proportion of sugar and vanilla to cocoa butter.
Good-quality cooking chocolate can be found in the baking aisle of supermarkets. It is similar in taste to eating chocolate, but a small amount of cocoa butter has been replaced with vegetable fat to make it easier to melt, able to set without tempering. Cheaper than normal eating chocolate.
Compound chocolate is sold in blocks or buttons and can be found in the baking aisle of supermarkets. The cocoa butter has been replaced with vegetable fat or oil, making it easier to melt and to set at room temperature without tempering. It lacks the flavour and texture of other chocolates, but is perfect for kids' cooking.
Melting Chocolate
Chocolate can be melted in several different ways including on the stove, in the microwave or in the oven.
Stove Top - put chocolate in a clean, dry, heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Make sure no water or steam enters the bowl of chocolate, or it the chocolate could seize. Stir constantly over medium to low heat until the chocolate has melted.
Microwave - put chocolate in a clean, dry, microwave-safe bowl. Cook for 1 minute on medium/high then stir. Cook for another 30 seconds then stir again, continue until chocolate has all melted.
Stove - preheat oven to 160 C. Put chocolate in a clean, dry, heatproof bowl. Turn oven off then place the bowl in the oven for 10 minutes minutes. Remove and stir, then place back in oven if required for several minutes, remove and stir again.
Tips for Melting Chocolate
* Break chocolate into even sizes pieces before melting.
* Use a metal spoon to stir chocolate; wooden and plastic spoons retain moisture that can cause the chocolate to seize.
* Always use a metal, glass or ceramic bowl to melt chocolate.
Making Homemade Chocolates
1. Melt your chocolate, (see above), then stir thoroughly to remove all lumps.
2. Pour melted chocolate into the moulds until they are filled to the top.
3. Tap the moulds with your fingertips to remove air bubbles from chocolate.
4. Let chocolates set, until hard.
5. After your chocolates have completely set and hardened, carefully pop them out of the mold.
6. Use a butter knife to trim off any excess chocolate around the edges.
Tips for using Chocolate Moulds
* Never wash your chocolate molds with soapy water. The soapy water will remove the shine of the mold, making it difficult to get the chocolate off. Just wash in hot water.
* Always dry your molds carefully after washing. Water spots can also cause spots where the chocolate won't release easily from the mould.
* If your molds are sticking, very lightly coat them with a thin layer of vegetable oil.
* If you make a mistake, or if extra chocolate dribbles in the wrong places - don't touch it while it's still wet. Place the chocolates in the fridge or freezer to harden, then you can easily just pick off the parts you don't want there.
How to Store Chocolate
Chocolate should be wrapped in alfoil and placed in an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not store in the refrigerator.
Unopened chocolate has a shelf life of 12 months and opened chocolate, properly wrapped and stored has a shelf life of 3 months. (However it would never last this long at my house!)
Chocolate Terms
Seize - Chocolate will seize up when small amounts of liquid mix with it, it becomes a thick grainy mass that cannot be remelted or used.
Chocolate Bloom - White spots that appear on chocolate, caused by the chocolate being heated and cooled too quickly. This can also occur when chocolate is refrigerated, it does not affect the quality and can still be eaten.
Tempering - A technique used to stabilize chocolate with a high cocoa butter content through a melting and cooling process so the chocolate will set firm and shiny at room temperature.