Twenty Five Days of Treats - Day 8

MORE CHOCOLATE!!!! Like it's a bad thing...



Ok, I've hinted about how easy it is to make ganache during the massive cookie inspiration days (link), and just a few days ago (link), we started a simple candy recipe when we made butterscotch.  So here it is - GANACHE!

I know - such a fancy word.  Basically, it's hot fudge sauce.  Really.  I would not lie about anything, but especially about CHOCOLATE!  You just need equal parts chocolate of some kind and cream.  Yes, the real stuff.  Heavy cream.  I have used chocolate chips and bars of chocolate.  Make your ganache as mild or dark as you like.  Use white chocolate if you want.  Same process.  See, no pressure!

To make ganache, use a double boiler over boiling water.  Simply melt the chocolate into the cream until it makes a smooth sauce.  You may actually break a sweat, depending on how hot the weather is while you're working in the steam, but otherwise easy peasy.  Don't have a fancy double boiler?  Use a glass bowl over a heavy saucepan.  Don't have that either?  Use your microwave.  It takes about 2 minutes, and you need to stir every 30 seconds.  Need it thinner?  Add more cream.  A few tablespoons at a time, then check consistency.

You can use it for frosting, for filling in between cookies, pour it over ice cream.  Spoon it into your coffee (guilty as charged).  Let it set like fudge, then put squares - no, not in your mouth! - into the bottom of a mug and cover with hot milk to make "gourmet" hot chocolate.  Speaking of gourmet, when the chocolate and cream have combined, add a teaspoon of your favorite extract - orange, cinnamon and peppermint work well.  You can also decrease the cream by a tablespoon or two and use strong coffee to make mocha ganache.  Combine the coffee with the extract if desired.  Hey, whoever told you not to play with your food was wrong - dead wrong!  Be creative and have some fun!

Pour it into jars and share it with friends, neighbors, and your mail carrier.  If not eaten immediately, it's good for a week in the fridge.  I doubt it will make it that long.

By the way, did you leave comments on Day 5 to enter the giveaway yet?

So indulge in some chocolatey goodness today!