Although chocolate may seem like a basic ingredient, in reality, it's somewhat complex. From milk content to sweetness to cacao percentage, there's a lot that can vary.
The first thing to understand is the ratio of cacao to sugar. A chocolate that's 60 percent cacao contains 40 percent sugar. The more cacao a chocolate contains, the less sugar it has and the darker it is.
To get a breakdown of the different types of chocolate and how much sugar, cacao, and milk they have, keep reading.
Of all the crazy chocolates I've seen — among them, wasabi pea chocolate and soy-sauce-flavored Kit Kat — the most intriguing I tried was Xocolatl de David's Chicharrón Chocolate Bar. I loved the concept of crunchy mixed into smooth, savory blended with sweet, and yet I found myself wishing for more pork rind.
That's when I dreamt up my perfect chocolate snack: Chicharrónes, or deep-fried pig skins, halfway hand-dipped into semisweet chocolate. The result is simple perfection. Smoky, porky, cheese puff-like awesomeness commingled with just the right amount of smooth chocolate. Any omnivorous man (or woman) would be crazy not to love this. Get the recipe now.
When it comes to a box of chocolates, you probably want to know what you're going to get — regardless of whether or not it's a parable for life. After all, there's nothing worse than expecting a caramel-filled bon bon, only to find it's stuffed with something called "tutti frutti." Well, practice makes perfect. To nail your favorite chocolates and their fillings, I'm putting you on the spot with a pop quiz! I've opened a box of Valentine's Day truffles from See's Candies. Can you guess what's inside of each of these chocolates? There's only one way to find out.
If you still haven't figured out how you're going to get your Valentine's Day chocolate fix, grab some chocolate bars and a pint of heavy cream and make chocolate fondue. Seriously, it's quite possibly the easiest dessert ever! All you have to do is melt the two together in a double boiler. Voilà! Serve with an assortment of delicious dippers like sliced bananas, pound cake, or brownies. My favorite chocolate fondue dipper is toasted bread sprinkled with sea salt. It's like a sophisticated take on pain au chocolat! Get the uncomplicated method now.
If you missed celebrating national Nutella Day a couple weeks ago, don't fret, just fill your cookie jar with these delectable Nutella sandwich cookies! This sweet treat has great texture with a crunchy cookie and easy creamy Nutella filling. Traditionally, linzer cookies are made around the holidays and filled with jam, but a chocolate hazelnut spread makes the cookie perfect for Valentine's Day. If you and your sweetheart are crazy for hazelnuts, toast them before adding to the dough to further enhance their flavor. Pull out those cookie cutters and get to baking these heart-shaped delights after you read more.
If you've been keeping up with YumSugar this week, you'll know that we've been talking about all things chocolate. Hopefully you've been inspired by the chocolate recipes and will whip up something delicious to enjoy with loved ones on Valentine's Day. When it comes to cooking with chocolate, I want to know what's your go-to brand. I always bake with Ghirardelli chocolate because it's local and good quality without being insanely expensive. How about you? What brand of chocolate do you cook with?
Source: Flickr User somegeekintn
Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year, so why not take some time on Sunday to make a special lunch for your sweetheart? Pack a delicious salad or sandwich and a bag full of these addictive chocolate ganache thumbprint cookies. They're simple to make but require time for the dough to chill. The ganache is seasoned with vanilla bean resulting in a very smooth, rich, and delightful filling. I highly recommend you make a batch of these scrumptious cookies. Check out the recipe now.
Looking for something special to make on Valentine's Day? How about chocolate-dipped strawberries? When I was younger, my dad would make them for me, and I served them as dessert at my 13th birthday dinner party. Since then, I've made chocolate-dipped strawberries countless times. Because they are coated in chocolate, it doesn't really matter if it's strawberry season, and they can be enjoyed all year long! Chocolate-dipped strawberries are incredibly easy to put together, so learn the technique now.
With Valentine's Day landing on a Monday this year, there may not be enough time to hit up everything on your dessert to-do list. Instead, save the chocolate fondue for the weekend and pick up a fun-filled chocolate assortment. Here are a few of our favorites for this romantic holiday.
