It's not hard to fall in love with chocolate, it is always there at happy times, when we are celebrating, when we want to relax and comforts when we feel sad. Dr. Mark Stibich, About.com's guide to longevity has some great information on the health benefits of eating chocolate - so it's good for you too. What a great friend.
Cooking with chocolate is easy with a little help and understanding of Working with Chocolate. Then, all you need are some recipes to inspire you so here are 10 chocolate recipes that guarantee you will fall in love with chocolate - if you haven't done so already.
1. Kathleen's Chocolate Cake Recipe
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I defy anyone to not enjoy a slice of squishy, soft chcolate cake. This chocolate cake recipe is voted one of the best chocolate cakes ever! Kathleen's chocolate cake is the chocolate cake recipe from Kathleen Grant, the mother of one of my oldest friends. Sadly Kathleen died several years ago and her recipe book, written over a number of years, was found when sorting through her belongings.
Kathleen uses margarine in the recipe; it was written at a time when margarine was preferable to butter which was in short supply after WW11. You now use butter which adds more flavor to the cake, but margarine makes it lighter, it's up to you.
2. Easy,Peasy Chocolate Truffles
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A Chocolate truffle recipe is so easy to follow, even one from celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. Chef Blumenthal devised this lovely Caraway Chocolate Truffle recipe for the Sick Children's Trust to raise money throughout British National Chocolate Week. Give them a try, they are delicious.
If plain and simple is your preference then this recipes from About.com's guide to French food Rebecca Franklin will be your thing. She starts by showing a step by step to making a ganache, the chocolate paste for truffles, then follow her Recipe for Chocolate Truffles.
3. Chocolate Soufflé Recipe
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Soufflé is considered a very sophisticated dish, yet soufflé recipes are actually quite easy and simple to prepare. Soufflé recipes can be savory or sweet as this Chocolate Souffle Recipe.
Ten Top Tips for Making a Perfect Soufflé
4. Decadent Chocolate Cream Recipe
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This Decadent Chocolate Cream is a wholly indulgent Chocolate Cream Recipe for dessert. It is quick, simple and easy to prepare and makes a superb dessert for special occasions such as Easter, Valentine's Day, or, make it simply whenever you want a treat.
5. Chocolate Cup Cakes Recipe
Photo © Baileys
Cup cakes are always delicious but add some Baileys Irish Cream liqueur and a cup cake transforms into a real 'grown-up' treat.
6. Chocolate Pecan Pudding and Caramel Sauce Recipe
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This lusciously rich chocolate and pecan pudding is perfect pudding for Easter but far too good to save for just once a year, eat it anytime you want an indulgent treat.
7. Chocolate and Raspberry Merigue Melt
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Raspberry and Chocolate Meringue Melt is a luscious dessert and perfect for a special treat, and especially good at Easter. It is lightly chocolate flavored, so not too heavy, and with cream and raspberries will round off any meal splendidly.
8. Chocolate Nut Brownies
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Brownies are an American food, but for some years now Brownies have become very much part of British food. Who can resist them. Their squidgy, fudgey center and deep, delicious taste as in this Brownie Recipe shows why in Britain we have taken them to heart. And the best part ... they are really easy to make.
