Migis Lodge, and Hearts, and chocolate.
Single digit temperatures at the lodge this morning when I had a walk around. The guys were working hard, removing snow and chipping ice in advance of the next storm, and I had the fun of visiting a few spots that I love. What is your favorite spot?
Also, Charity let us in on a very important recipe last year, remember? Oh, boy. It is just a dream. We’re not sure what chocolate has to do with love, but no quibbling here.
Ganache into Truffles
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
cocoa powder
Pour all the pieces into a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.
Bring the cup of heavy whipping cream just to a boil. (This is called scalding.) Pour the scalded heavy cream onto the chocolate and allow it to sit for five minutes.
Stir the now melted chocolate with the cream. Stir until smooth. The melted ganache should be smooth in texture without lumps. Then transfer the ganache into a smaller bowl to cool. When the ganache is solid, it may be easier for you to scoop out when working with a smaller bowl. Let the ganache cool down and chill for about an hour in the refrigerator to harden. Cold ganache is harder to scoop, but easier to form into a ball.
Using a melon baller or small ice cream scoop (such as a #70), scoop out balls of hard ganache and place on a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. As the ganache gets warmer, it will have a tendency to stick to the scooping device. You might find it easier to work with after rechilling the ganache.
After forming all the balls, chill the pan in the refrigerator for fifteen minutes to allow the ganache to harden back up and set into their shapes.
Scoop a little cocoa powder into a small bowl and roll each ganache ball in the cocoa powder to coat.
Let the truffles rest at room temperature while you prepare the dipping chocolate.
Dipping Chocolate
for truffles and strawberries
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)
Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper.
Drop each cocoa-coated truffle into the chocolate and, using two forks, roll truffle to evenly coat. Then lift and let any excess drip back into the bowl. Place truffle on the sheet pan. Dip a fork into the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the truffles.
Strawberries: Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
Dig in, and if you have any leftovers, you know the address here, right?
Have a sweet day tomorrow, and we'll be back at the phone next week! 207-655-4524