Master Recipe Ganache Variations On A Theme Food

GANACHE I

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in a large stainless steel bowl.
• In a large, high sided saucepan, heat cream over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to boil. At this point, the cream will want to boil over, so keep an eye on it! Immediately remove from heat and pour over chopped chocolate.
• Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Cool completely and then store in refrigerator. Ganache can be reheated in a stainless steel bowl over hot, but not boiling, water.

MASTER GANACHE

Steps:

• Using a serrated knife, finely chop the chocolate into 1/4-inch pieces. Don't be lazy here. Big chunks will not melt.
• Traditional method: Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Boiling means the cream will actually rise up in the pan and threaten to boil over.
• Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate. Tap the bowl on the counter to settle the chocolate into the cream, then let it sit for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, slowly stir in a circular motion, starting from the center of the bowl, and working out to the sides. Be careful not to add too much air to the ganache. Stir until all the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. It may look done after 1 minute of stirring, but keep going to be sure it's emulsified.
• Food processor method: Place the chopped chocolate in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Bring the cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat (or bring to a boil in the microwave.)
• Immediately pour the hot cream into the food processor, on top of the chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then pulse the machine 3 times. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula and pulse 3 more times, until all the chocolate is melted. This smooth, silky chocolate is now ganache. Transfer the ganache to a bowl.
• Let the ganache sit at room temperature until it cools to 70 degrees F. In a 65 degree F room, this will take approximately 4 hours or 2 hours in the refrigerator. You can speed up the process by pouring the ganache out onto a clean baking sheet (thinner layers cool faster.) Once the ganache reaches 70 degrees F, it is ready to be used. At this point it can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

BASIC GANACHE

Steps:

• Put chocolate into heavy bowl.
• Heat cream in saucepan over medium heat just until bubbles form around pan.
• Slowly pour hot cream into chocolate, stirring constantly.
• Do not whip--stir until chocolate is melted and you have a creamy emulsion.
• Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

OATMEAL MASTER RECIPE WITH VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Mix the oatmeal, milk, and 4 cups water in a large, deep saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. When it boils, quickly turn the heat down to very low.
• Stir in brown sugar, dried fruits, and salt and cook at a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until very thick and creamy. Stir often to prevent bottom of pan from burning.
• Serve with additional milk, or cool and chill to reheat later in the week.
• Variations:.
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:.
• Swap 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped for the dried fruit Add 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus more for serving.
• Banana Nut Oatmeal:.
• Swap 1/2 cup pure maple syrup for the brown sugar and 2 bananas, chopped, for the dried fruit.