EASY CHOCOLATE PEACH COBBLER: Peach Cobbler Day

Peaches aren't in season yet, but I can get peaches at my market. I prefer fresh peaches when making peach pies and cobblers, but in a pinch, here's an easy recipe for Chocolate Peach Cobbler using canned peaches. Perfect for National Peach Cobbler Day! There are some wonderful organic canned peaches, so look for them. Higher quality canned peaches will enhance the flavor of this cobbler. And, of course, since this is a chocolate blog, I've added chocolate to the recipe. Make this Easy Chocolate Peach Cobbler today!

EASY CHOCOLATE PEACH COBBLER

Ingredients
1 cup chopped chocolate
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup canned peaches
1 Tbsp unsalted butter

Directions
Mix flour, sugar, and eggs with electric mixer.
Melt chocolate in small pan in microwave (melt chocolate in 10 second intervals to make sure it doesn't harden in the microwave) or in double boiler.
Arrange canned peaches evenly on bottom of buttered baking dish (8 x 8 x 2).
Top with flour mixture, and then melted chocolate.
Bake at 275 degrees, for 10-15 minutes.
Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Chocolate Orange Marmalade Grilled Cheese Sandwich: National Grilled Cheese Day!

Today is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. I've posted many different variations on Chocolate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, including  Grilled Cheese Nutella Sandwich, but here's a real favorite: Chocolate Orange Marmalade Grilled Cheese Sandwich! Grilled Bread, Butter, Cheese, Chocolate, Orange Marmalade! What could be better?

I love my Panini Press, but this grilled cheese sandwich should be made on the stove in an iron skillet. My mother used to make her fabulous grilled cheese sandwiches in an old iron skillet with the top of a smaller iron lid pressing down on the sandwiches. Both were inherited from my grandmother. I have the lid (with a 1950s era blue enamel handle), but not the original skillet. Interesting what we hold on to.

This recipe is great for Sunday Brunch. It's sweet-- a bar of chocolate, some goat or brie cheese--some orange marmalade--a bit or mascarpone--and place in between buttered challah or another bread. This recipe is too creamy (and oozing) for the panini press, so make it, too, in a big skillet. Reduce amounts if it's only two of you. 

Chocolate Orange Marmalade Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients
6 ounces Mascarpone
2 Tbsp Orange Marmalade
2 Tbsp unsalted Butter (room temperature)
8 slices Challah or Brioche (sandwich size)
8 ounces Brie (sliced 1/4 inch thick)
14 ounces Dark Chocolate (65-75% cacao, fair-trade, organic), chopped

Directions
Combine orange marmalade and mascarpone.
Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, buttered side down on work surface. Spread mascarpone on bread. Place brie slices over mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with chocolate chunks.
Top with remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.
Heat large skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Put sandwiches in pan, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Watch carefully.
Turn sandwiches, pressing each firmly with spatula or heavy pot lid (smaller than the skillet).
Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until undersides are browned.
Remove cover, turn sandwiches over and press firmly with spatula or pot lid again.
Cook until cheese has melted completely.
Remove from pan and let cool 2-3 minutes.

Tuesday Tips: How to Use and Make Chocolate Olive Oil

Tuesday Tip: How to Use and make Chocolate Olive Oil. I often cook with olive oil,  because Chocolate and Olive Oil are such a great pairing. But did you know there's Chocolate Olive Oil? Several artisan olive oil companies make it. It's great to substitute in chocolate recipes that call for olive oil or in salad dressing (and toss in some cocoa nibs) or pour over ice-cream, quick breads, pound cake, pancakes, fruit, or waffles. In baking, it can replace butter and other oils (check measurements) as in chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and bread. It's even good with BBQ to add depth and nuance. I like to dip a good baquette in chocolate olive oil. So many possibilities. 

Be sure to scroll down for the Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe made with Chocolate Olive Oil.

Chocolate Olive Oils

Wild Groves
https://wildgroves.com

Chocolate Infused Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil
http://www.lucerooliveoil.com/flavor-infused-olive-oil/chocolate-infused-olive-oil.html

Queen Creek Olive Mill
http://queencreekolivemill.com/store/oils/chocolate-olive-oil.html

Nudo Extra Virgin Chocolate Olive Oil 
https://www.nudoadopt.com/

(great story from Jason Gibb on Fathom)

http://fathomaway.com/jason-gibb-searches-for-chocolate-olive-oil/

And, you can make Chocolate Olive Oil yourself. Here's how! 

Chocolate Olive Oil
Recipe from Colavita Olive Oil

Ingredients 
3/4 cup Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 squares Perugina 85% Cocoa Extra Dark Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp espresso powder

Directions
Position rack in middle position in oven; preheat to 275 degrees F.
Place chopped Perugina chocolate, vanilla extract, and espresso powder in heatproof measuring cup or bowl. Pour olive oil on top. Give everything gentle stir to combine.
Place heatproof bowl on baking sheet, and place in preheated oven.
Leave bowl in oven for 1 hour, stirring mixture every 15 minutes to prevent chocolate sticking to  bottom of vessel.
Remove baking sheet with chocolate olive oil mixture, and place on top of wire rack. It will bubble for a few minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour mixture into serving bowl (if using immediately) or airtight container (if storing).
Note: There will be some small chocolate bits in bottom of mixture; if these bother you, pour mixture through strainer.
Store mixture in airtight container at room temperature. Some separation may occur after it sits a while, sort of like how natural peanut butter will have oil resting on top. Stir mixture to re-incorporate.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies made with Chocolate Olive Oil
Recipe from Wild Groves

Ingredients
1 Cup White Flour
1 1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1/2 Stick Butter Softened
1/2 Cup Chocolate Olive Oil
3/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Walnuts Chopped (optional)

Directions:
Bake at 375 Degrees F ( 9-11 min, or until golden brown)
Mix flour, baking soda and salt in bowl.
Beat chocolate olive oil, butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in larger bowl or mixer until creamy.
Add eggs (one at a time) beating well.
Slowly add in flour mixture.
Stir in chocolate chips, and nuts.
Scoop and put on baking tin.

What to do with Leftover Easter Chocolate

Today both high end and low end Easter Chocolate is on sale at 50% off. This is the perfect time to scoop up the bargains. But maybe you still have some leftover chocolate at home? Perhaps not the ears of the bunny, but body parts and decimated eggs? Put all that chocolate to tasty use!

If it's still in its wrapping, donate leftover chocolate to homeless shelters -- or if it won't melt, ship overseas to military personnel.

But if your chocolate is in pieces and chunks, here are a few ideas. Leftover chocolate goes great on ice cream or added to brownies and cookies. So many creative ways to re-purpose and re-savor Easter Candy.

Freeze for Later: Chop up chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs. Freeze the pieces and use instead of chocolate chips in cookies and other goodies. 

Ice Cream: Melt Easter bunny parts and pour over ice cream. Add some nuts. Or just chop it up and sprinkle on ice cream. Add berries and whipped cream for a great sundae.

Milk Shake: Use any chopped chocolate with two scoops of ice cream and some milk. Blend!

S'Mores: Well they're a natural with Peeps, especially the chocolate covered ones.. but in a pinch add some chocolate bunny, a peep, a graham cracker, and put in the oven or microwave. Add another graham cracker and you're good to go!

Trail Mix: Well, duh... chop up the chocolate and add some dried fruit and nuts. I think a chopped up chocolate coconut egg would be a great addition, too! Put it in a small baggie and go for a hike!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Instead of dipping (unless you have a lot of chocolate), drizzle melted chocolate over fresh strawberries.

Candy from Candy: Melt Chocolate Bunnies or Easter eggs in double boiler or microwave. Once  chocolate is hot and smooth, pour into candy molds.

Chocolate Fondue: see my fondue recipes. The Bunny has never tasted so good... Retro treat with Retro Chocolate. Dip leftover PEEPS and fruit.

Hot Chocolate: Melt some chocolate. Add water or milk and heat until perfect. Add some whipped cream (or a PEEP)!

Brownies: I always add some extra chopped chocolate to my brownies, so why not some Chocolate Easter Eggs? Chop and fold into batter. 

Pancakes: Make a batch of pancakes and drop some chocolate in (do it toward the end or the chocolate will scorch) or melt some chocolate and use in place of syrup.

Muffins and Waffles: Chop up Chocolate and add to muffins or waffles.

Trifle: Layer chopped Bunnies with leftover cake or brownies, whipped cream, cookie crumbs and anything else that seems yummy to you. I like to make trifles in clear glass containers to see all the layers of delicious chocolate goodness!

Cookies: Do I really need to tell you how to do this? Chop and Drop in your favorite batter!

Cupcakes: Any way you'd use chocolate -- or use an apple corer and fill the centers.

Rice Krispies Treats: Melt chocolate, then stir in Rice Krispies. Spread on a tray. Put in Refrigerator. Cut.

Any other ideas for left-over Easter Chocolate?