CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS: National Popcorn Day

Today is National Popcorn Day! I usually post popcorn recipes around the time of the Academy Awards, but I came across this recipe a few years ago on the Taza Chocolate website and love it! You may recall that I always have Taza Mexicano chocolate in my desk. It's a favorite. I love the stone ground texture.  

I saved this recipe from Tara Chocolate for Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls. As I've mentioned before on this blog, you can find great recipes at food and food association sites. I love the crunchy salty-sweet taste of these Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls, and they're so easy to eat. Great for parties for both kids and adults!

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
Makes 15 popcorn balls

Ingredients
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
pinch of salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
8 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup Taza Roasted Cacao Nibs
2 bars Taza Dominican 70% Dark Stone Ground Chocolate, chopped
Wood skewers or popsicle sticks
Sprinkles, to garnish

Directions
Grease large mixing bowl with oil or kitchen spray. In large lidded pot with lid on, heat vegetable oil, popcorn, and pinch of salt over high heat while continuously shaking pot and listening for popping. Remove from heat when popping is less frequent than every 3 seconds and pour into greased bowl.

In saucepan combine sugar, brown sugar, honey, and butter over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 300 degrees measured on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and carefully add baking soda (be careful, the sugar will bubble and expand!), then pour over popcorn carefully using a spatula to toss and coat the popcorn. Add cacao nibs.

When popcorn is cool enough to handle, but still warm, wet hands and form popcorn into balls, sticking each one with skewers or popsicle sticks.

Place chocolate in heat proof bowl, then place on top of bowl of simmering water until chocolate is warm and melted then drizzle over popcorn balls. Top with sprinkles if desired. Allow to cool before serving.

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS: National Popcorn Day

Today is National Popcorn Day! I usually post popcorn recipes around the time of the Academy Awards, but I came across this recipe a few years ago on the Taza Chocolate website and love it! You may recall that I always have a bar of Taza Mexicano chocolate in my desk. It's a favorite. I love the stone ground texture.  

So, I've saved this slightly adapted recipe for Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls to post today. As I've mentioned before on this blog, you can find great recipes at food and food association sites. I love the crunchy salty-sweet taste of these Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls, and they're so easy to eat. Great for parties for both kids and adults!

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
Makes 15 popcorn balls

Ingredients
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
pinch of salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
8 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup Taza Roasted Cacao Nibs
2 bars Taza Dominican 70% Dark Stone Ground Chocolate, chopped
Wood skewers or popsicle sticks
Sprinkles, to garnish

Directions
Grease large mixing bowl with oil or kitchen spray. In large lidded pot with lid on, heat vegetable oil, popcorn, and pinch of salt over high heat while continuously shaking pot and listening for popping. Remove from heat when popping is less frequent than every 3 seconds and pour into greased bowl.

In saucepan combine sugar, brown sugar, honey, and butter over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 300 degrees measured on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and carefully add baking soda (be careful, the sugar will bubble and expand!), then pour over popcorn carefully using a spatula to toss and coat the popcorn. Add cacao nibs.

When popcorn is cool enough to handle, but still warm, wet hands and form popcorn into balls, sticking each one with skewers or popsicle sticks.

Place chocolate in heat proof bowl, then place on top of bowl of simmering water until chocolate is warm and melted then drizzle over popcorn balls. Top with sprinkles if desired. Allow to cool before serving.

NO BAKE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHERRY TART: Valentine's Day

This No-Bake Double Chocolate Cherry Tart is an all-time showstopper! It's easy and delicious. I usually make it for Valentine's Day. Recipe is from Taza Chocolate, my go-to chocolate (Taza 70% Mexicano is always in my desk). Fresh cherries are thee best in this one, but you can always substitute fresh raspberries or strawberries.

NO-BAKE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHERRY TART

Ingredients
30 Oreos or other sandwich cookies
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 pints heavy cream
4  Taza 60% Dominican Stone Ground Chocolate bars, chopped (plus additional to melt for drizzling if desired)
1 pound cherries, pitted

Directions

Crust:
Process cookies in food processor until fine crumb.
Place in bowl and drizzle melted butter over them, and stir to combine.
Press into 11 inch tart pan and put in refrigerator to cool.

Tart Filling:
Combine heavy cream and chocolate in small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until fully incorporated. Allow to cool slightly then pour into crust.
Place pitted cherries on top of tart and let sit for 2 hours or overnight.
Drizzle with additional melted chocolate if desired.

How easy is this?

Photo: Taza Chocolate

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE CHERRY TART for Valenine's Day

Photo: Taza Chocolate

This No-Bake Double Chocolate Cherry Tart is an all-time showstopper! It's easy and delicious. Make it for Valentine's Day or any time! Recipe is from Taza, my go-to chocolate (Taza 70% Mexicano is always in my desk). My local market has fresh cherries all year round, but if you're a locavore, you can substitute fresh raspberries or strawberries.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CHERRY TART
Makes 1 – 11 inch tart 

Ingredients
30 Oreos or other sandwich cookies
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 pints heavy cream
4  Taza 60% Dominican Stone Ground Chocolate bars, chopped (plus additional to melt for drizzling if desired)
1 pound cherries, pitted

Directions

Crust:
Process cookies in food processor until fine crumb.
Place in bowl and drizzle melted butter over them, and stir to combine.
Press into 11 inch tart pan and put in refrigerator to cool.

Tart Filling:
Combine heavy cream and chocolate in small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until fully incorporated. Allow to cool slightly then pour into crust.
Place pitted cherries on top of tart and let sit for 2 hours, or overnight.
Drizzle with additional melted chocolate if desired.

How easy is that?

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Cherry Tart

Photo: Taza Chocolate

This No-Bake Double Chocolate Cherry Tart is an all-time showstopper! It's easy and delicious. Make it for Valentine's Day or any time! Recipe is from Taza, my go-to chocolate (Taza 70% Mexicano is always in my desk). My local market has fresh cherries all year round, but if you're a locavore, you can substitute fresh raspberries or strawberries.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CHERRY TART
Makes 1 – 11 inch tart 

Ingredients
30 Oreos or other sandwich cookies
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1 1/2 pints heavy cream
4  Taza 60% Dominican Stone Ground Chocolate bars, chopped (plus additional to melt for drizzling if desired)
1 pound cherries, pitted

Directions

Crust:
Process cookies in food processor until fine crumb.
Place in bowl and drizzle melted butter over them, and stir to combine.
Press into 11 inch tart pan and put in refrigerator to cool.

Tart Filling:
Combine heavy cream and chocolate in small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir occasionally until fully incorporated. Allow to cool slightly then pour into crust.
Place pitted cherries on top of tart and let sit for 2 hours, or overnight.
Drizzle with additional melted chocolate if desired.

How easy is that?

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls: National Popcorn Day

Today is National Popcorn Day! I usually post popcorn recipes around the time of Academy Awards, but I came across this recipe last year on the Taza Chocolate website. You may recall that I always have a bar of Taza Mexicano chocolate in my desk. It's a favorite. I love the stone ground texture.  So, I've saved this slightly adapted recipe for Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls to post today. As I've mentioned before on this blog, you can find some great recipes at food and food association sites. I love the crunchy salty-sweet taste of these Chocolate Caramel Popcorn Balls, and they're so easy to eat. Great for parties for both kids and adults!

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL POPCORN BALLS
Makes 15 popcorn balls

Ingredients
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
pinch of salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
8 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup Taza Roasted Cacao Nibs
2 bars Taza Dominican 70% Dark Stone Ground Chocolate, chopped
Wood skewers or popsicle sticks
Sprinkles, to garnish

Directions
Grease large mixing bowl with oil or kitchen spray. In large lidded pot with lid on, heat vegetable oil, popcorn, and pinch of salt over high heat while continuously shaking pot and listening for popping. Remove from heat when popping is less frequent than every 3 seconds and pour into greased bowl.

In saucepan combine sugar, brown sugar, honey, and butter over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until temperature reaches 300 degrees measured on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and carefully add baking soda (be careful, the sugar will bubble and expand!), then pour over popcorn carefully using a spatula to toss and coat the popcorn. Add cacao nibs.

When popcorn is cool enough to handle, but still warm, wet hands and form popcorn into balls, sticking each one with skewers or popsicle sticks.

Place chocolate in heat proof bowl, then place on top of bowl of simmering water until chocolate is warm and melted then drizzle over popcorn balls. Top with sprinkles if desired. Allow to cool before serving.

Photo: Taza Chocolate

Taza 5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Since there's always chocolate at my house, I have no excuse for not baking a chocolate cake.. but suppose I don't really want to make an entire cake. Suppose it's just me? 5 Minute Cake in a Mug to the Rescue. I've posted other recipes for the 5 Minute Cake in a Mug, but this recipe from Taza, my favorite daily chocolate, is exceptional. Well, Taza Chocolate is exceptional! I have made this with the Taza Chocolate Mexicano (70% dark), but for variety, you could use the Taza Chiptole Chocolate or the Taza Orange Mexicano disc. Whichever you choose, you'll end up with the perfect single serving cake!

Recipe from the Taza Recipe Library.

Taza 5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug

Serves 1
Active time 3 minutes
Total time 3 minutes

Ingredients
2 tablespoons sweet butter
1 disc Taza Chocolate Mexicano, broken into several pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon unsweetened Dark cocoa powder
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
In large mug place butter and chocolate and microwave for 45 seconds.
In separate bowl whisk together sugar, egg, cocoa, salt, flour, and baking powder until smooth, then add to mug and whisk until fully incorporated.
Microwave on high for 1 minute, allow to cool for a few seconds, and eat!

Coconut and Cacao Nib Crusted Shrimp

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of TAZA Chocolate. I just love the stone ground texture and the flavor. I'm especially fond of the 70% Mexicano, and I keep several 'wheels' in my desk drawer. In my pantry, though, I have another TAZA product: Taza Chocolate Roasted Cacao Nibs. These great to throw in salads, cookies, banana bread, oatmeal, and as a coating on steak au poivre. You can even throw them into trail-mix. Plus, they're dairy and soy-free, gluten-free and Kosher.

So with the Labor Day holiday this weekend, I turned to the Taza blog for savory suggestions. This recipe for Coconut and Cacao Nib Crusted Shrimp is exceptional and easy!You can even make these ahead, spread on a baking sheet and freeze. To reheat, put them in a 400 degree oven until crisp.

COCONUT AND CACAO NIB CRUSTED SHRIMP

Ingredients:
1/3 cup flour
Kosher salt and Cracked black pepper
3 egg whites, beaten
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons, Taza Chocolate Roasted Cacao Nibs, finely chopped
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
Vegetable oil, for frying
Sweet chili sauce, for dipping

Instructions:
1. Place flour in small bowl then season with salt and pepper. Place egg whites in separate bowl and gently toss breadcrumbs, Taza Chocolate Roasted Cacao Nibs, and coconut together in third bowl. Coat each shrimp in flour, followed by egg whites, followed by coconut mixture and reserve.
2. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in large pot until a thermometer has reached 375 degrees. Fry shrimp in batches making sure to not overfill the pot. Serve immediately with sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Buttermilk Mexican Chocolate Chile Bundt Cake

I posted 3 different Molé recipes yesterday for Cinco de Mayo, but you'll want dessert! Here's one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes for Cinco de Mayo (or any time!): Buttermilk Mexican Chocolate Cake. I adapted this from a recipe in Southern Living a few years ago. I've added ground chiles and used Taza Mexican Chocolate with Chiles for a little more kick. I usually bake this pound cake in a bundt pan. This is quick and easy and delicious.

Buttermilk Mexican Chocolate Chile Bundt Cake

Ingredients
8 oz chopped dark (65-75% cacao) organic fair-trade chocolate (I use either Taza Chipotle Chili Chocolate Mexicano or Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano, but you can use any dark chocolate)
1 cup sweet butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ancho chiles
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk 

Directions
1. Melt chocolate in saucepan over saucepan of simmering water.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 to 7 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition. Stir in melted chocolate, chocolate syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Pour batter into a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan.
4. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and let cool for another hour.

Taza Chocolate: How to Make Mexican Hot Chocolate

It's really chilly today, so it's a perfect day to post this recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate from one of my favorite chocolate companies: Taza Chocolate. I got to meet Alex Whitmore, one of the founders of the company, at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show yesterday, and for me it was like meeting a rock star.  I always have Taza Chocolate in my desk.  Love that aroma when I reach for a pen. Taza Chocolate is a bean to bar company with a stone ground process. They're also serious about sustainable agriculture and fair trade.

Taza Chocolate was founded in 2006 and combines the Meso-American tradition of chocolate with a modern, high-quality product manufactured in a socially responsible way. In 2005, Taza cofounder Alex Whitmore traveled to Oaxaca to steep himself in the history and culture of Mexico. He learned about the pre-Columbian ritual of “xocolātl” in Latin America, and the customs that surrounded the transformation of cacao into a drink. The Oaxacan treatment of chocolate, compelled by the minimal processing and traditional method of stone grinding the beans, influenced him to start a business dedicated to crafting artisan, Mexican-style chocolate in the United States.

Alex Whitmore, Co-Founder, Taza Chocolate

Taza Chocolate produces 100% stone ground, organic chocolate using only the best ingredients while compensating growers fairly for their work. Taza found its initial sources in Chiapas, Mexico; in Talamanca, Costa Rica; and in Nagua, Dominican Republic. Today, Taza produces thousands of chocolate bars each month, which are sold in almost every state. Taza Chocolate has had a positive effect on their community, the industry, and livelihood and welfare of their growers.

This recipe is from the Taza website. As I've mentioned before, there are some wonderful recipes to be found on food product websites. I've made this Mexican Hot Chocolate with both the 'regular' Mexican Chocolate disc, the Chipotle Chili Chocolate Mexicano and the Guajillo Chili Chocolate Mexicano. There are lots of choices, and you can always add other flavors to your hot chocolate blend. See the recipe for ideas. Let me know what you make!

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Step 1: Grate a disc of Chocolate Mexicano, and set aside:
To make a traditional taza de chocolate, start by grating one disc (approx. 1.3 oz) of Chocolate Mexicano for every cup (6 to 8 oz) of hot chocolate you'll be making. Use a rasp, microplane, or cheese grater. If you're using an unflavored Mexican chocolate, add any extra spices now. Vanilla, almond, cinnamon, and chili are common additions. Keep in mind that while it's not strictly necessary to grate the chocolate before melting it into your liquid, grated chocolate melts faster and is less prone to burning to the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Heat water or milk until just below boiling:
In Mexico, hot chocolate is typically made with water, not milk. For a thinner, more refreshing taza, use water. If you prefer a thicker, richer version, use milk. Start by heating the milk or water in a high-walled saucepan until just under boiling.

Step 3: Remove Liquid from heat and mix in chocolate:
Take the saucepan with either milk or water off heat and add in grated chocolate. Continue to mix to prevent the chocolate from sticking to the bottom. Any liquid additions (rum, bourbon, tequila, vanilla) should be mixed in now.

Step 4: Pour chocolate mixture into pitcher; whisk:
Taza de chocolate is typically served frothy, with a thick head of foam on top. This is achieved by vigorously whisking the mixture using a molinillo (wooden Mexican whisk) or a standard whisk. Pour the liquid into an earthenware pitcher or narrow high-walled vessel (or leave it in your saucepan and risk a mess). Whip until airy and frothed up, about two minutes.

Step 5: Pour mixture into warm mugs. serve :
Pour your hot chocolate mixture into pre-warmed mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for stirring, grated chocolate on top, or everyone's favorite: marshmallows and whipped cream. Serve immediately.

You can find Taza Chocolate  in Stores or order online