CAUSE THERE'S MORE TO DO THAN JUST MOVE IT MOVE IT.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Sweet like chocolate

You know what they say about cake.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Well, it's a little different with chocolate.

Last weekend I made my chocolate, and you guessed it - I ate it too.
And guess what - it's really simple.

A friend of ours had us over for a chocolate making class and had our very patient teacher Davina teach us the basics.




Here are a few recipes:


DROPPED CHOCOLATES - ALMOND ROCKS
No of Portions: 5-10

Ingredients                             Quantity
Almonds                                    60 g
Chocolate                                  30 g

Method:
1.     Toast Almonds and allow to cool.
2.     Melt chocolate over a double boiler on gentle heat.
3.     When thoroughly melted, mix the almonds in, ensuring they are completely coated.
4.     Allow it to cool slightly, then drop clusters of 3-4 chocolate-enrobed almonds onto a butter paper. Allow to set, then peel off from the butter paper and store in boxes in a cool, dry place.

DIPPED CHOCOLATE - CHOCOLATE MINT
No of Portions: 5-10

Dipping Chocolate
Ingredients                              Quantity
Chocolate                                      50 g

Chocolate Ganache                  
Ingredients                              Quantity
Chocolate                                     30 g
Cream                                            10 ml
Mint Essence As Needed

Method:
1.     Heat the cream.
2.     Add the chopped chocolate into the cream. Stir till smooth.
3.     Add the mint essence to the ganache.
4.     Put into the fridge to set for 15-30 minutes.
5.     Roll the ganache into small balls.
6.     Refreeze.

1.     Melt chocolate over a double boiler on gentle heat.
2.     Remove the mint balls, dip into the melted chocolate and allow to dry on a butter paper-lined baking tray.
3.     Repeat this process twice.

MOULDED CHOCOLATES

Ingredients                            Quantity
Chocolate                                    60 g

Method
1.     Melt chocolate over a double boiler on gentle heat.
2.     When thoroughly melted, temper and pour into moulds.
3.     Gently tap the mould to prevent air bubbles and allow to set.
4.     De-mould, wrap and store in boxes in a cool, dry place.

SOFT CENTRED CHOCOLATES – Rum Centres

Ingredients                             Quantity
Chocolate                                    60 g

Rum Ganache
Ingredients                             Quantity
Rum                                         as required
Chocolate                                    30 g
Cream                                           10 ml

Method
1.     Heat the cream.
2.     Add the chopped chocolate into the cream. Stir till smooth.
3.     Add the rum to the ganache.
4.     Put into the fridge to set for 15-30 minutes.
5.     Roll the ganache into small balls.
6.     Refreeze.

1.     Melt chocolate over a double boiler on gentle heat.
2.     Remove the mint balls, dip into the melted chocolate and allow to dry on a butter paper-lined baking tray.
3.     Repeat this process twice. 

SOFT CENTRED CHOCOLATES - MARZIPAN

Ingredients                           Quantity
Marzipan                                    30 g
Chocolate                                   60 g

Method
1.     Melt chocolate over a double boiler on gentle heat.
2.     When thoroughly melted, temper and pour into moulds. Leave for a minute and remove excess. Leave to set. Repeat this process 2 more times.
3.     Roll the marzipan into small balls, place into the moulds and cover with more chocolate.
4.     Gently tap the mould to prevent air bubbles and allow to set.
5.     De-mould, wrap and store in boxes in a cool, dry place.


I couldn't believe that's all it takes to make chocolate.


Sweet!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

What does the fox say?

via

Have you ever wondered about what sound the fox makes?

Well, you don't need to anymore because Ylvis has figured it out for you.
And there seem to be a whole bunch of sounds,
Which vary probably due to the changing moods of the fox?


As ridiculous as this song is, it's just so catchy.
If I listen to it once I know I'm going to sing it all day.

This way I end up brushing up on all the animal sounds.
And also learn about how the fox communicates with the ho-o-o-o-orse in mo-o-o-o-orse.

I have to say - This is gold!

Monday, September 9, 2013

God created Man...

...And then Man created God.

Photo by me.

I suppose it's something like the Chicken and Egg paradox.

But I wouldn't think too much about it.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

A tea party (in my mouth)

While in Germany, we ate prunes everyday.
Life was good!

And then one day we made a cake.
Just because it was teatime.
It was the quickest, simplest and yummiest cake ever.

A tea party in my mouth.



Here's how you make it:

Susanne's Prune Cake

Ingredients
Flour                    250 gms
Butter                   125 gms
Sugar                    62.5 gms
Prunes                  1 kg
Almond flakes

Method
Mix the flour, butter and sugar and make a dough.
Line a 10" diameter cake tin with butter and dust with flour.
Line the bottom and sides of the cake tin with the dough.
Use the remaining dough to make a crumble and keep it aside for use later.
At the bottom of the cake tin, on the dough put a generous amount of almond flakes.
Cut the prunes into quarters but do not separate at the bottom of the prunes.
In this way, place the prunes in the entire cake tin over the almond flakes.
Once again top the prunes with almond flakes and the dough crumble.
Bake at 180 degrees for 45 minutes.

Guten appetit!


We made one more cake (as you can see in the photo) but I wasn't paying attention so no recipe there.

Photo and Video by me.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Baden-Württemberg in 15 seconds

via
Last month I travelled all over Baden-Württemberg for 2 weeks.
And I had the best time ever.

In a nutshell I saw castles, sunflower fields, more castles, more sunflower fields, neat haystacks, stalagmites and stalactites, the bluest pond, organic farms, hills, forests, music shows and car museums while always being surrounded by beautiful vineyards and amazing company.

It felt like I was living a dream for 2 weeks.

We'd eat fresh berries and fruit picked directly from the trees.
Have the sweetest Aplesaft.
Eat Spaetzle. Drink Sekt.
And have the best breads and cheeses.
Everyday.

What does one call this if not heaven.

I spent 15 days in the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
Here it is, in 15 seconds.



Video by me.
Music : Groove Armada - At The River.
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