Chocolate Curls Food

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• In a heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat 5 squares of chocolate, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth.
• Pour melted chocolate into a 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly roll pan; use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the chocolate from the saucepan.
• With the same rubber spatula, spread the chocolate to evenly cover entire bottom of pan.
• Refrigerate until firm, but not brittle, about 10 minutes.
• Place jelly-roll pan on damp cloth on work surface (damp cloth keeps pan from moving while working).
• Holding teaspoon at a 30 degree angle, scrape chocolate into curls (if chocolate softens and sticks to spoon, place pan in refrigerator several minutes).
• With toothpick, transfer curls to another jelly-roll pan; refrigerate.
• Repeat 4 more times to make 5 batches of curls in all.
• To Garnish Cake with Curls: Using a toothpick as a tool to lift the delicate curls (the heat of your hands will melt or mar them), carefully press chocolate curls onto fresh frosting. (The gooey fresh frosting is the glue that holds the curls in place.)

BLACK FOREST BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Spray with cooking spray.
• Microwave 3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 to 2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted when stirred. Add butter, cake mix and 1 egg. Beat with mixer until crumbly.
• Reserve 3/4 cup crumb mixture for later use; press remaining crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 min.
• Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar in clean bowl with mixer until blended. Add remaining egg; mix well.
• Spread cream cheese mixture over crust; cover with pie filling. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
• Bake 35 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 30 min. Meanwhile, make curls from remaining chocolate. (See tip.)
• Cut dessert into 24 bars. Serve topped with the COOL WHIP and chocolate curls.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate & butter in the microwave on 30% power until smooth.
• Pour onto a baking pan and using an offset spatula, spread chocolate as thin as possible.
• Place in the freezer for 3-4 minutes or until firm. Use a spatula or scraper to scrape the chocolate off the pan and make curls. If the chocolate begins to soften too much, pop it back into the freezer for a couple of minutes.
• Once curled, place the pan back in the fridge until ready to use. Transfer the curls to your dessert using a spatula.

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Melt chocolate with the shortening in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.
• Divide chocolate mixture between two 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheets; smooth with an offset spatula. Refrigerate until chocolate is set but not brittle.
• Holding a sturdy metal spatula or a bench scraper at a 45-degree angle, scrape chocolate away from you to form curls. If chocolate is too brittle, let stand at room temperature 1 to 2 minutes. If too soft, refrigerate briefly. Curls can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl with the vegetable shortening. Throw it in the microwave until the shortening is melted and hot, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir with a fork to combine thoroughly.
• Next, pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a clean cookie sheet. Then, with an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate in a thin layer. Keep going until it's very, very thin. Then...and this is the key...stick it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, check that the chocolate is ready by pressing it with your finger tip; it should leave the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Next, get a somewhat sharp-edged spatula and begin to scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. When the chocolate is just the right temperature, it'll curl instead of break. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you'll have a bunch of fun little chocolate curls.
• Important: As soon as possible, transfer the curls to a cold pan or plate, and then stick them in the freezer to harden. Store in the freezer in a zip-top bag until you need them. Use them to adorn pies, cakes or platters of fruit. You'll feel instantly fancy!

TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CURLS

Steps:

• Rub the underside of a baking sheet with an oiled paper towel, then peel back one piece of paper to expose a square of gold leaf. Don't dally: It is whisper-thin, so it practically flies away if you breathe on it. Holding the rest of the book in your hand, invert the gold onto the oiled baking sheet and lift off the remaining piece of paper the gold leaf was sandwiched against. (Wrinkles are okay.) Repeat the process with eight more gold squares.
• Next, melt the chocolate and spread it over the gold leaf as thinly and evenly as possible with the offset spatula.
• Now comes the tricky part. The chocolate needs to set to the right consistency. If it isn't firm enough, it won't curl; if it's too firm, it will break into shards (which have their own beauty). Chill the chocolate for about seven minutes before trying a test curl. Brace the baking sheet against the kitchen wall and, holding the putty knife at an angle, scrape the chocolate (and gold leaf) away from you. If it curls, you've got it! The correct angle is really just a matter of feel.
• Carefully transfer the curls with the putty knife to a paper towel-padded box and keep them cold until you're ready to use them.

BOTTLE OF WINE CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F.
• Toss together the cookie crumbs, butter, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan. Bake until dry and set, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Combine the cornstarch and 1 ¼ cups of the sugar in a medium saucepan and very slowly whisk in the wine to prevent lumps from forming. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it has come to a simmer and is very thick, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter and salt until smooth. Pour the filling into the cooled crust and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Right before serving, whip the cream with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Top the pie with the whipped cream. Scatter the chocolate curls or sprinkles over the top, if using.