Chocolate Liqueur Food

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Mix sugar, water, and cocoa in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, just until sugar and cocoa are completely dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
• Pour into a clean 2-quart glass container. Stir in vodka and vanilla bean. Cover tightly; keep in a cool, dark place for 14 days, shaking container thoroughly every 2 days.
• Strain liqueur through a moist paper coffee filter into a clean glass container. Straining will take a couple of hours as residue is very thick. Change filter halfway through. If residue remains, strain again immediately.
• Cover tightly; let liqueur age in cool, dark place at least 1 month.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR (CREME DE CACAO)

Steps:

• Combine sugar and water in medium heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool thoroughly. Stir in chocolate extract, vanilla and vodka.
• Pour into a clean glass bottle with tight fitting lid and store in a cool, dry place.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Separate the eggs whites from the yolks. Set the yolks aside, then put the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium speed. Slowly add the granulated sugar to the egg whites in the mixer as they are whipping. Whip until soft peaks form.
• Over a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter together. Remove from the heat and stir occasionally to help cool; let cool 10 minutes. One by one, add the egg yolks to the chocolate-butter mixture until fully incorporated. (The mixture will stiffen slightly.) Mix the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture in thirds, folding very gently so as to not mix the air out of the mousse.
• Carefully and evenly divide the mixture among 4 rocks glasses. Set the glasses in the refrigerator until fully chilled, about 30 minutes.
• For the chocolate liqueur whipped cream: Combine the heavy cream, liqueur and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed until soft peaks form.
• Spoon a dollop of the whipped cream into each of the chilled mousse glasses. Garnish each with a small sprig of mint.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Break chocolate up and place in a bowl with the brandy. Place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir gently to combine until the chocolate is smooth.
• Stir in the butter and egg yolk until well combined (the heat from the chocolate will help melt the butter).
• Refrigerate until firm enough to shape into balls - I made mine slightly larger than standard marbles, but it's up to you and your conscience! Roll each ball in the cocoa (or you could experiment with chocolate hail, crushed pistachio nuts, etc. I used drinking chocolate, as it's sweeter than plain cocoa).
• Return to the fridge (or freeze, as desired). Serve chilled.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Heat the milk. Add sugar and cocoa, cook, stirring. Let cool a bit then add the alcohol. Let cool in a pan of water. Strain and pour into bottles.
• I keep mine refrigerated though you don't have to.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES WITH LIQUEUR

Steps:

• In microwave using medium-low power, melt chocolate in a medium-sized bowl-- the length of time this will take will depend on the strength of your microwave, but expect it to take at least 1 minute.
• Whisk in butter and egg yolk until blended; then whisk in liqueur and icing sugar until smooth.
• Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to shape, about 1 hour.
• Shape mixture into small balls, roll balls in cocoa, then place in tiny foil or paper cups.
• The above will be a messy job on your hands-- they will get quite chocolatey; if mixture gets too soft, return it to the fridge to stiffen up again.
• Keep truffles refrigerated in a covered container; remove from fridge about 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off them.