[CH] Chile Chocolates recipe
Mike Stallcup (Michael.A.Stallcup@nasa.gov)
Fri, 20 Dec 2002 13:00:11 -0600
Holiday Greetings to the C-H crowd,
To try to increase the C-H to OT ratio in the recent postings I
hereby submit the results of my recent adventures in the kitchen.
I wanted to have some chocolate holiday goodies so I looked in the
pantry and started pulling stuff out. I put equal parts Candiquick
(chocolate product for dipping) and semisweet chocolate chips into a
microwave-safe bowl. I like a darker chocolate flavor but using only
chocolate chips makes the end result too soft so I usually mix the
two chocolates.
Heat chocolate in microwave oven for short periods (30 seconds at a
time), stirring frequently, until completely melted. Chocolate will
scorch easily (nasty taste!) in a microwave oven so heat it carefully
or use a double boiler. Once melted and thoroughly stirred, add your
choice of "other ingredients." Some possible other ingredients:
Cheerios, roasted peanuts, raisins, flaked coconut, pecans, miniature
marshmallows, fried chow mein noodles (crispy, comes in a can),
chopped dried fruit, etc. Since I don't measure very often when I'm
cooking I just added the "other ingredients" until it looked right.
Stir until all ingredients are coated well then drop by teaspoonfuls
onto waxed paper to cool.
While making a batch with peanuts I grabbed my bottle of smoked ripe
serrano chile powder and dumped some (as much as you want) into the
melted chocolate along with the peanuts. After they had cooled I
tasted one and was disappointed that I could only taste the chocolate
with a slight smoky flavor. But...as I chewed...the slow burn
started...first at the back of the throat...then spreading to the
front of the mouth...until I was thoroughly on fire! Delicious!!!!
The combination of chocolate and chile is surprising at first but
develops into a complex and tasty combination. If you plan to share
with others it would be kind to warn them that the burn starts slowly
then builds up.
May everybody have a Happy (and Hot) Holiday Season!
--
Mike (C-H #36, hab seed intact)
Carpe Capsicum!
(My words, not NASA's)