Better Homes and Gardens -In Good Taste
CHOCOLATE HOLIDAYS
Take comfort. "The best home baking is imperfectly perfect. It's lumpy, bumpy, and not completely uniform. It comes from your hands, it comes from you. That's what makes it special," says chocolate expert Joan Steuer. As president of Chocolate Marketing, she says that a little forethought in matching the chocolate to your favorite holiday recipes for cakes, cookies, and confections can make the results even more delectable.
"When selecting chocolate for your holiday baking and food gifts, you want to make sure the chocolate is the hero. Chocolate strikes a strong emotional chord, so give some thought to the chocolate you are using. Your baking should capture all the nuances of the chocolate," explains Steuer.
"Before you begin, taste your favorite chocolate and think
about which of your holiday recipes you'd pair it with. You should love its flavor. Think about its characteristics. Is it fruity?Does it have a caramelized flavor? For example, if your chocolate is creamy, think
about using it for fudge. A rough and dark version may be perfect for a nutty bark
recipe. |
