Montezuma’s Creative Chocolates
July 26, 2010
I can’t imagine getting bored with chocolate. There has never been a time in chocolate history as full of imagination and creativity with chocolate as there is now.
One of the leaders successfully bringing new and innovative flavor combinations to chocolate is Montezuma’s.
You may already know that I am a huge fan of dark chocolate and orange. Chocolate and orange is so yesterday! My new favorite is Dark chocolate with Orange and Geranium.
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Chocolate and Beer Pairing – Belgian Ales
July 25, 2010
In the opening post of this series I mentioned that there are three categories of beer that pair well with chocolates.
These beers are typically amber to brown in color, with high alcohol content (often greater than 8%) and are usually quite fruity in their aroma. Candy sugar (like a hard rock candy) may be added to the barley malt to increase the alcohol level without darkening the color or making it too malty.
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Chocolate and Balsamic Vinegar Pair Well
July 24, 2010
This unique vinegar makes an outstanding marinade for chicken or pork or pour it over fresh berries. On the Oro di Oliva label, it is suggested I drizzle it on ice cream – strange, but I’ll try it!
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Orange Zest Seized My Chocolate
July 22, 2010
Recently, I was asked this question: “I love the taste of chocolate and orange but when I add orange zest to my coating it curdles. Why?”
The issue is moisture.
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Chocolate with Chicken
July 21, 2010
As an ingredient in food, chocolate has become very popular because it is viewed as a healthy additive to recipes.
In addition to being rich in antioxidants, chocolate and cocoa powder add great flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. It also adds a deep dark color to some foods and since we eat with our eyes, it makes food look delicious.
I know it can be difficult to envision chocolate as part of a savory meal and not only in a sweet dessert, but it really adds a new twist to ordinary meals.
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Defining “Quality” Chocolate
July 14, 2010
Every chocolate shop I visit insists that their chocolate is the best quality, gourmet, premium. So, when talking about chocolate, what does “quality” mean exactly?
The U.S. FDA has produced formal standards of identity that legally define chocolate and all its related ingredients and by-products. But, read through all that and you will discover there is nothing that defines the “quality” of chocolate.
Of course there are standards of “Quality Assurance” within each processing step of making chocolate. These control standards start with the cocoa bean and follow through to the finished product. But following these rules means that pretty much any final chocolate available for purchase could be defined as being a “quality” chocolate.
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Chocolate and Beer Pairing – Stouts
July 9, 2010
In the opening post of this series I mentioned that there are three categories of beer that pair well with chocolates.
These beers are made using a good deal of roasted or burnt barley malt. In fact, one of the burnt barley malts is even called “chocolate malt.” It doesn't really have any chocolate in it, but rather the malt has been roasted or kilned until it acquires more of a chocolaty color.
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S’mores
July 5, 2010
A S’more is considered a summer time classic by many. It brings back memories of camping and backyard barbeques. And, of course, it just tastes good.
Meanwhile put a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker. After the marshmallow turns a golden brown, you pull it off the stick, place it on top of the chocolate, and top with another graham cracker. The warm marshmallow melts the chocolate and voilà! a s’more is born.
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