Hot Chocolate Raspberry Russian Food

RUSSIAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Make the Orange Creme Fraiche: Combine all the ingredients in a chilled bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Chill until ready to serve.
• Make the Pudding: In a bowl whisk together the sugar and cornstarch to blend. Whisk in the cream, milk, and vanilla bean. Pour mixture into a stainless steel saucepan and bring it to a boil, whisking, until thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the chocolate and butter until melted. Fish out the vanilla bean and rinse it. Wrap the vanilla bean in plastic wrap and refrigerate for another use.
• Pour the hot chocolate into warmed demitasse cups and serve immediately with dollops of the orange creme fraiche served on the side on demitasse spoons.

CHARLOTTE RUSSE WITH RASPBERRIES

Steps:

• Sprinkle the gelatin over 3 tablespoons water in a bowl and let stand, 5 minutes. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water), stirring occasionally. Remove the bowl from the pot and slowly whisk in the milk; keep warm.
• Whisk the egg yolks, granulated sugar, salt and 1 tablespoon vanilla in a large heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over the pot of hot water and cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until smooth and slightly custardlike, 3 to 5 minutes. Slowly stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cook until it coats a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and whisk in the gelatin mixture until smooth. Transfer to a clean bowl, cover and refrigerate until the custard just begins to set, about 1 hour.
• Line the walls of an 8-inch springform pan with ladyfingers, standing them up (trim the bottoms, if desired). Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl with a mixer until it holds soft peaks; sift 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar on top, add the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and stir. Gently fold 1 1/2 cups whipped cream into the chocolate custard until smooth. Carefully fill the pan with the chocolate cream. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours.
• Remove the sides of the pan and transfer the dessert to a platter. Gently toss the raspberries with the liqueur and the remaining 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar in a bowl, then arrange on top of the cake.

RASPBERRY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Combine everything except the liqueur and ginger in a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes.
• Continue to cook, whisking frequently until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in liqueur, top with a piece of ginger, if using, and serve immediately.

HOT CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY RUSSIAN

Steps:

• Add vodka to hot chocolate/cocoa (if you want more of a kick you could try adding plain vodka, so the raspberry flavor won't overpower the chocolate).
• If desired, garnish with whipped cream. Note: I I have tried combining the hot chocolate with vanilla vodka and Kahlúa and obtained equally delicious results!

WHITE COCOA WITH RASPBERRY SWIRL

Steps:

• For the cocoa: In a medium pot, heat the milk until just simmering. Add the white chocolate chips, vanilla and salt and cook over medium-high heat, whisking, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Bring to a gentle boil, then keep warm.
• For the raspberry sauce: Combine the raspberry jam and 2 teaspoons water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds, then whisk out any lumps.
• For the garnish: To build the cocoa, dip the rim of each glass first in the raspberry sauce, then in the freeze-dried raspberries. Pour the remaining raspberry sauce into a squeeze bottle. Pipe a swirl of sauce around the inside of each glass. Portion out the cocoa. Top with whipped cream, a rolled wafer cookie and more raspberry sauce. Serve immediately.

RASPBERRY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Combine everything except the syrup and ginger in a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes.
• Continue to cook, whisking frequently until smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in raspberry syrup, top with a piece of ginger, if using, and serve immediately.

RASPBERRY HOT COCOA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan (do not boil)., Place the raspberries, chocolate and sugar in a blender; cover. While processing, gradually add hot milk in a steady stream. Strain; discard seeds. Serve in mugs; top with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate if desired.