Saturday, September 26, 2009

New Flavors for the Fall









Between the first post and now, I have found a nice formulation for my peach chocolates. "Peaches & Cream". Colorado peaches Pate' de Fruit layered with a white chocolate vanilla ganache, dipped in Venezuelan dark chocolate. The result is a very nice flavor, that allows the delicate aroma of the peaches to come through and not be covered by the strong chocolate taste. The white vanilla ganache complements well with the peaches. I have also create a new Pear Cardamom Caramel chocolate. Colorado Pears Pate de Fruit, sweet and tangy at the same time, where the flavor of the pears is very prominent, paired with a Cardamom Caramel ganache, in my opinion a very good combination.

I have made these chocolates in the past but I wanted to give them a little extra and I couldn't decide between pear and caramel or pear and cardamom, so I used all of the above :-).
I have been playing with the idea of a Pumpkin caramel truffle as well, maybe presented in a pumpkin shape chocolate box (those are in the making). I will probably try them this weekend. I have roasted some sugar pumpkin and butternut squash and turned them into a luscious and very colorful puree', ready to go.

Still need to decide if I want a free from truffle, a cut or a molded one. Believe it or not there is a lot of difference between these three version. I personally prefer the cut type, where the ganache is firm yet creamy, cut into pieces and dipped in chocolate. The second would be the truffle, which in Europe is the irregular shaped one (hence the name) usually round, oval etc. Where the ganache is firmer so to be rolled and dipped. My least favorite is the molded one, or better, it really depends on the flavor. For example the Chai is great in the molded form but the Lavender has to be cut or a rolled truffle, for my taste of course. Way to be picky huh?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Colorado Peaches. Italian Summer

I usually miss Italy very much because all my family is back there. But summer time I feel even more homesick because Roman summers are incredible!

Long walks in the historic center, il Lungo Tevere, l'Isola Tiberina and a perfect end to enjoy it all, Grattachecca. Oh yes I do miss Rome especially in the Summer!

Another thing I miss a lot all year around is Food. Prosciutto, salame, all kind of cheeses, the incredible Pizza al Taglio that Rome is famous for and fresh fruits and vegetables.

So when I finally see Colorado grown produce at the market and farmers markets, like the Rocky Ford Melons, Pears and Peaches I get very exited and I cant wait to try new seasonal recipes.

Right now I have in mind a nice and smooth Peach pate de fruit, paired with some kind of spiced ganache, maybe a spiced dark rum or some Amaretto, since I remember my mom used to make some wonderful baked peaches stuffed with "Amaretti" biscotti, the combination is very nice and the almond flavor perfectly complements the peaches.

I have not been able to be in the kitchen this week and I am dying to go back and get to work .

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