DillDoe

Friday, January 20, 2006

Chocolate Jolt!

Back from Hibernation!
Ok, to kick things off here's a treat that'll keep you up!



Ever had a big lunch and then fall into a food coma when you go back to work/class?
Here's a nice 'pick me up' treat that's simple to make and delicious as well!

Here are the stuff you need:
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips (or block)
  • Coffee beans (maybe canned)
  • wax paper
  • butter knife (or sm. offset spatula)


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I choose Mrs. Fields semi-sweet chocolate chips, because it has a nutty flavor. Other one's I've tried were Nestle and Ghirardelli. Nestle's toll house chips were good, with no aftertaste. Ghirardelli's on the other hand was horrible, with a bitter, alcoholic aftertaste.
Shown are Hazlenut roasted Coffee beans. Whole beans have more flavor than the canned ground stuff. Plus you can control the size of the grounds. Expresso would be a nice substitute, but I haven't tried it yet. Use your favorite flavor of beans.

First, ground up your coffee bean. Should be a coarse ground and not too fine.

(click to enlarge)

Next, melt your chocolate (follow direction on back of package) You can use a double boiler, heat pad, etc.. Easiest way is to put it on your wax paper and melt it in your microwave. Save on wash up and no burnt chocolate (unless you microwave it too long)

Microwave time should be the same, 1 min on medium high. Test to see if it melts. If not, nuke it for 30 secs more on medium high and test. Repeat 30 secs till you get a nice melted product.
Be carefull not to microwave it too long or you'll burn your chocolate.

Take your chocolate and stir it with your butterknife or spatula till all the chips are melted. Then sprinkle your coffee grounds into the chocolate and mix. Add as much as you want, good ratio is 2 parts chocolate to 1 part coffee (or 3-2 for more coffee). Mix it well and spread it out on the wax paper to about 1/8" thickness.


(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Let it cool at room temperature or toss in fridge/freezer till the chocolate sets (Freezing will be faster, but final product won't be as nice)
Cut into 2x2 pieces and enjoy your caffeine boost. 2 pieces should wake you up.
The chocolate does a great job in masking/integrating the coffee taste. It kinda taste like crunchy Oreo cookies crumbs covered in chocolate. The first batch I made (about 9 pieces) I ate while watching TV cause it tasted so good I couldn't stop eating it. Big mistake cause it kept me up almost all night. So if you need to pull an all nighter than go ahead and pig out!