Truth be told, we couldn't find any romantics roaming the kitchen this week... or any week for that matter. But there were a few fans of Cupid over in the office. Not sure what this says about the temperament of chefs vs. numbers people, but for Brittani and Arlette we're going to focus on things sweet and loving.
Chocolate seems to be a great common ground no matter the level of love in your heart. And if you are full up to the rim with affection y amor, you might want to consider an all out, pedal to the metal, seduction attempt and whip up a batch of Valentine Candy with your own sweet little hands. Too difficult you gasp? Too challenging you protest? Nonsense!
Chocolate Bark is the solution here. Semisweet chocolate melted, poured onto a sheet pan, and topped with nuts, dried fruit, seeds, candies or whatever you will!Couldn't be easier, it's seriously delicious and comes with more flavor possibilities than we will ever be able to list here. Have we persuaded you yet? You'll be personalizing your Valentine's chocolate with every one of his or her favorite sweet nibs....
Here's what you'll need:
Chocolate - Buy the best, it's for your sweetie! We recommend between 50% and 72% cocoa content. Anything lower is probably milk chocolate, which is delicious too, but a bit less stable than semisweet or bittersweet... and we promised you this would be easy. Same goes for white chocolate... save that for your 2nd batch, unless you feel up for the challenge...
The Add Ons - Let your imagination run rampant.. Toasted pecans, peanuts, cashews, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds (shelled), dried apricots, popcorn, peppermints, M&M's ... Don't rule out some savory items as well. After all, sea salt with chocolate is the new black.
Some of our ideas
Valentine's Special - Sugared rose petals
Pig Out - Crisp bacon, CornNuts, chopped nut brittle
Thin Mint - Finely chopped spearmint hard candies (or you can use the red and white peppermint ones).
Peanut Love - Salted roasted Virginia peanuts and chopped peanut brittle
Cracker Jack - Caramel corn and mixed salted nuts
Rocky Road - Miniature marshmallows and toasted pecans
Tropicalia - Macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, toasted coconut, chopped dried mango
Movie Time - Mini pretzels, peanuts, caramel corn, gummy bears
Kiddie Ride - Cap'n Crunch, M & M's, mini marshmallows, golden raisins
Sophisticate - Pistachios, toasted sliced almonds, crystallized ginger, espresso beans
Trail Mix - Granola, dried cranberries, banana chips, cashews
Pacific Rim - Wasabi peanuts, chow mein noodles, dried pineapple
MexiBark - Spicy corn chips, pepitas, raisins, cinnamon breakfast cereal
The Process:
Basic Chocolate Bark
1 pound Top Quality Chocolate, chopped
2 - 2 1/2 cups add ons
Draw a 9 x 12 rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Flip it over and place on a baking sheet.
Place the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler. (Or in a medium bowl over a pan of simmering water) Melt the chocolate over medium low heat, being careful to prevent any steam from getting into the chocolate. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Set aside and let it cool until just above room temperature.
Pour onto parchment paper and spread over 9 x 12 area. Sprinkle with desired add ons. Let cool several hours and then break into desired shapes.
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