Dark Chocolate Orange Truffles Food

DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Gradually stir in cream until blended. Stir in extract. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until firm. Shape into 3/4-in. balls. Roll in sugar.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Bring about 1 inch of water to a very slow simmer in a medium saucepan. Put the chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl that can sit on top of the pan without touching the water. Put the bowl over the water and let the chocolate melt, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, bring the heavy cream, honey and half of the orange zest to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the honey. Strain the cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl and then gradually whisk into the chocolate until smooth and shiny. Whisk in the butter until melted. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a cool spot until slightly firm, about 1 hour.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rub together the sugar and remaining orange zest in a small bowl until combined. Transfer the truffle mixture to a piping bag or resealable bag fitted with a plain 1/4-inch tip. Holding the bag about 1/4-inch over the baking sheet, pipe 3/4-inch truffles. Sprinkle with the orange sugar. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• FILLING.
• In a small saucepan, heat cream just until bubbles form around edge of pan, remove from heat.
• Stir in 250 g of chocolate pieces until smooth, stir in orange juice concentrate and orange zest.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until thickened and cold.
• Using a whisk (NOT electric mixer), beat chocolate mixture just until creamy and lighter in colour. Do not overbeat or mixture will separate.
• Using a pastry bag fitted with 1 cm plain tip, pipe filling into 2.5 cm diameter rounds on two wax paper-lined baking sheets.
• Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
• Sift icing sugar into a pie plate.
• Working with rounds from one baking sheet at a time, lightly roll in icing sugar.
• Gently roll each round between fingertips to round off tips. Return to wax paper-lined sheet and freeze for 1 hour or until hard and almost frozen.
• COATING.
• In top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, melt 375 g of chocolate.
• Remove from heat, let cool slightly.
• Sift cocoa into a pie plate.
• Using two forks, dip balls from one baking sheet at a time into chocolate, letting excess drip off. (If chocolate thickens while you work, rewarm gently over hot stove.
• Place balls in cocoa.
• Using two clean forks, roll truffles in cocoa and refrigerate on wax paper-lined baking sheet until hardened.
• Place truffles in candy cups and store in airtight container in refrigerator until just before serving.
• Can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen up to 3 months.

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring the cream just to a simmer over medium-low to low heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand about 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Add the vanilla and stir until smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Then beat the chocolate at medium speed, using an electric mixer, until it is thick and light colored. If the chocolate has cooled enough, it will be ready to form truffles right away. If the chocolate is still too soft to hold its shape when rolled in a ball, spread over the bottom of a baking dish and smooth the top. Refrigerate until firmed, but still scoopable, up to 2 hours.
• Pour the cocoa powder onto a deep plate or shallow bowl. Use a melon baller or small ice cream scoop to scoop out balls of chocolate and gently roll into a ball. Place them on the plate with the cocoa powder and roll between 2 forks to completely coat with the cocoa powder. Then use the forks to carefully transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper.
• If making the truffles a day or two ahead of time, let them stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.

EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate and tip into a large bowl. Put the cream and butter into a saucepan and heat gently until the butter melts and the cream reaches simmering point. Remove from heat, then pour over the chocolate. Stir the chocolate and cream together until you have a smooth mixture. Add any flavourings to the truffle mix at this stage (divide the mixture between bowls and mix in liqueurs or other flavourings, a tsp at a time, to taste. Try bourbon, Grand Marnier, coconut rum or the zest and juice of an orange), or leave plain. Cool and chill for at least 4 hrs.
• To shape the truffles, dip a melon baller in hot water and scoop up balls of the mixture, then drop the truffles onto greaseproof paper. Or lightly coat your hands in flavourless oil (such as sunflower) and roll the truffles between your palms. You could also use a piping bag to pipe rounds onto baking parchment.
• Coat your truffles immediately after shaping. Tip toppings into a bowl and gently roll the truffles until evenly coated, then chill on baking parchment. Try: crushed, shelled pistachio nuts; lightly toasted desiccated coconut; or roll a truffle flavoured with orange zest and juice in cocoa powder. To coat in chocolate, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Melt 100g milk, dark or white chocolate for 10 truffles. Allow chocolate to cool slightly. With a fork, pick up one truffle at a time and hold over the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate over the truffle until well-coated. Place on the baking tray, then chill.
• To give as presents, place 8-10 truffles in individual foil or paper cases inside small, lined boxes tied with ribbon. Keep in the fridge until you're ready to give them. Will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for three days, or frozen for up to a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

MASHED POTATO TRUFFLES: DARK CHOCOLATE AND ORANGE #SP5

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine well the mashed potatoes, the zest of one navel orange, and the juice of half of the orange.
• Melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips either in a double boiler, or by heating in the microwave for approximately 1.5 minutes, stirring every 25-30 seconds.
• Once the chocolate is thoroughly melted, add it to the potato mixture, stir well to combine, then allow the mix to chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes, or until a scooped portion of the mix can be easily shaped (rolled in your hands).
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper. You're ready to form the truffles: scoop an approximately tablespoon-sized amount of the filling, and form into a ball by rolling with your hands. Set these on the wax paper, then allow the balls to chill in the refrigerator or freezer for another 30 minutes.
• Melt the remaining chocolate chips and dip the chilled filling balls to coat completely. The chocolate sets quickly, so work fast, and enjoy! These keep very well in the refrigerator and freezer and make great gifts.