Chocolate Tia Food

CHOCOLATE TIA MARIA NUGGETS

Steps:

• Bring the cream to the boil in a small pan. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until it has melted. Stir in the liqueur and pour into a bowl. Cool, then chill until firm, about 4 hrs, or overnight.
• Sprinkle a sheet of greaseproof paper with icing sugar and another with cocoa powder. Take a teaspoon and scoop nuggets of truffle mix out of the bowl and onto either the paper with cocoa powder or icing sugar. Use two teaspoons to coat the nuggets then transfer them to paper sweet cases. Pack into paper sweet cases in boxes and chill. Store for up to 2 weeks.

CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the avocado, cocoa powder, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Blend on medium until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender often. Increase the speed to high and blend about 30 seconds to lighten the mousse.
• Spoon into 2 serving glasses or cups. If you have the time, chill in the refrigerator until cold, about an hour. If not, enjoy right away with the toppings of your choice and garnish with Coconut Whipped Cream if desired.
• Remove the can of coconut milk from the refrigerator without shaking it. Open the can, scrape out the solidified coconut cream from the top and put it in a mixing bowl. (Save the liquid in the bottom of the can for a smoothie.) Whip the coconut cream with an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar or other sweetener to taste. Whip again and serve.

SPICY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Bring the almond milk to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium-low heat (do not boil). Whisk in the chopped chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, cayenne and salt; whisk until the chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and whisk vigorously to form foam. Gently pour the hot chocolate into cups. Top with whipped cream if using.

CHOCOLATE CHAI TEA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.
• Stir in sugar and cocoa. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add milk, vanilla, spices and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes. Do not boil. Strain, if desired. Pour into warm mugs. Garnish each with whipping cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired.

TIA MARIA TORTE

Steps:

• Whip cream with sugar with electric mixer until stiff, set aside.
• Dip cookies quickly into milk then into liqueur.
• Arrange in a single layer in bottom of ungreased 10” springform pan.
• Fill in spaces with pieces of cookies which have also been dipped.
• Spread a layer of whipped cream over cookies.
• Repeat twice more with remaining cookies and whipped cream ending up with whipped cream.
• Grate chocolate square and sprinkle over top of torte.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Needs 24 hours to set.

TIA MARIA & CHOCOLATE CREAMS

Steps:

• Put the chocolate into a bowl. Mix the cream with the Tia Maria, reserve 2 tbsp, then tip the rest into a saucepan and bring just to the boil. Remove from the heat and tip straight over the chocolate, stirring until the chocolate melts. Divide between 2 small glasses and allow to cool slightly. Whip the remaining cream until slightly thickened, then spoon over the cooled chocolate mix. Chill for at least 1 hr to set. While you're waiting, cut a heart shape from a piece of thick card.
• When ready to serve, set the card over the glass and sift over a dusting of cocoa powder. Lift off carefully and do the same with the other glass.