Chocolate

In "Ultimate Chocolate" you will be seduced into reading the story of chocolate. Did you know that chocolate grows in spindle-shaped pods that form on the Theobroma cacao tree? You will love reading about how chocolate is produces from the pods which reveal beans and then finally nibs which are used to make chocolate. Patricia Lousada explains all the delicious details and then gives the secrets for selecting chocolates for your own home cooking. She explains how to successfully melt chocolate. There is detailed information on how to temper chocolate which is only needed for formal candy making. Do you remember the first time you tasted chocolate eclairs or Belgium truffles? The pictures in this book will send you right to the kitchen. The step-by-step instructions help to turn the pictures into a reality. Adding a professional finishing touch to cakes is also easy when you can follow the step-by-step pictures. Personalizing chocolate treats is easy when you know how to make chocolate curls, ribbons, flowers, leaves, baskets, boxes, cut-outs and curls. You can choose to make the simplest chocolate mousse or a wedding cake which will serve 100 guests. Other recipes you will want to try include: Chocolate Pecan Pie, Chocolate Rum Fondue, Pecan Chocolate Fudge Cake, Austrian Sacher Torte, Chocolate Shortbreads, White Chocolate and Lime Mousse and a variety of Chocolate Sauces. Delicious, decadent and visually satisfying. Enter the world of chocolate seduction. ~The Rebecca Review

A truly amazing collection of chocolate recipes! I have only tried 3 so far, but each one has been a great success. The book begins by explaining the origins of chocolate, history of chocolate, how it's made, etc., then moves on to explaining how to work with chocolate. There is also a fair amount of detailing and photography on making impressive chocolate decoration for your desserts, which is actually easy to prepare. The book offers recipies for pies, mousses, cakes, cookies, confectionary, ice creams, drinks, and sauces. I must warn you, though, that some recipes call for as much as 300 grams of butter, and some call for 3 cups of double cream. I tried them once and the results were delicious, but not worth the health hazard. Nevertheless, the final results taste great and look great. One you should try if you buy the book: the Striped Cheesecake!

This is the ultimate book for chocolate lovers. It offers a wonderful history of chocolate and fabulous pictures. The recipes are easy to follow - you don't have to be a gourmet pastry chef to make these desserts! Even if you're not into cooking, this book is a feast for the eyes! The photographs make your mouth water!