Choclava Food

ORANGE-ALMOND CHOCLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Place almonds and chocolate chips in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. In a large bowl, combine almond mixture, sugar and orange zest. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter., Unroll phyllo dough. Layer 10 sheets of phyllo in prepared pan, brushing each with butter. Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Sprinkle with a third of the almond mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Cut into 1-in. diamonds. Bake until golden brown, 50-60 minutes. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine syrup ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes., In a small heavy saucepan, heat chocolate and water over very low heat until melted and smooth, stirring constantly. Pour syrup over warm baklava; drizzle with chocolate mixture. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight. Serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLAVA COOKIES

Steps:

• preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• In large bowl, combine flour, sugars, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, breaking up any lumps.
• Stir in butter until mixture is combined and crumbly.
• Add egg whites and vanilla, stir by hand until dough comes together.
• Place a few tablespoons of icing sugar in shallow dish.
• Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, then roll in icing sugar to coat.
• Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
• Bake 12 to 14 minutes.
• Cool.

CHOCLAVA

Steps:

• Thaw dough according to package direction. Combine walnuts, finely chopped chocolate, the 3/4 cup sugar and cinnamon, set aside. Brush bottom of a 15 x 11 x 2 inch baking pan with some of the melted butter. Layer 8 of the phyllo sheets in the pan, brushing each sheet with butter. Sprinkle about 2 cups of the nut mixture over phyllo in pan. Top with another 4 sheets of the phyllo, brushing each with more of the melted butter. Sprinkle with 2 more cups of nut mixture and top with 4 more phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with butter.
• Top remaining nut mixture and remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with butter. Drizzle remaining butter over top layer. Cut into diamond-or triangle-shape pieces, cutting to but not through the bottom layer. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 hour.
• Immediately finish cutting diamonds or triangles. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine orange juice, the 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, honey and lemon juice; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Pour over warm dessert in pan. Cool completely. In small saucepan combine chocolate squares and 2 tablespoons water; stir over low heat until smooth. Drizzle over dessert.

CHOCOLATE PAVLOVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Beat together egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar to soft peaks in a large bowl. Beat in sugar, about three tablespoons at a time, until stiff and glossy peaks form. Sift cocoa and cornstarch over egg whites, and gently fold in. Gently fold in vinegar, vanilla, and melted chocolate.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the meringue into an eight inch circle. Bake in the center of the oven for 1 1/2 hours until the outside is crispy and the center is soft. Using a metal spatula, loosen the meringue from the parchment paper, and remove to cool on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely, about one hour.
• Whip cream with the sugar, and spread over the meringue. Arrange strawberries decoratively over the top, and drizzle with chocolate.