Exquisite Cappuccino Fudge

By Exquisite in the title I mean fine and delicate. I have tried several fudge recipes and the Chocolate Walnut Fudge has been an all time favorite of mine.  I ate a piece of this Cappuccino Fudge at my local Coffee shop and the sweet woman making my coffee told me about this recipe so here I am making this dark chocolaty indulgence and it is magical (or pure evil I should say because you can't stop at just one piece).


It got some rave reviews too when I served it to some friends over a cup of tea. I love the simplicity of this recipe and the fact that it has so few ingredients and that too very easily available everywhere.

RECIPE: Exquisite Cappucinno Fudge
(Adapted from BruCru)
Ingredients
1 10 Oz bag dark chocolate chips

1 container dark chocolate canned frosting

1 10-11 Oz bag white chocolate chips

1 container white canned frosting

1 Tbsp. heavy cream

2 Tbsp. instant coffee

chocolate covered Espresso beans (I got mine at Whole foods but Starbucks has them too)

Method

1. In a small bowl microwave the heavy cream for just a few seconds and then add the instant coffee. Set aside to dissolve.
2. Line an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with oil for easy removal later .
3. In a double boiler melt the dark chocolate chips and make sure you stir it often.Place the container of chocolate frosting in the microwave for 1 minute. The frosting should be all melty and liquid in consistency. Once it is able to be poured out, quickly stir into the melted chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate.
4. Heat the white frosting for 1 minute and it should be pourable consistency. Stir in the heavy cream-coffee mixture. Melt the white chips again in a double boiler being careful not to scorch the chips. Stir the coffee frosting into the melted white chips. Pour on top of the chocolate layer.
5. Place coffee beans every inch. Let set in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting.

Step-by-step process,

Heat up your heavy cream for just a few seconds and then add it to the instant coffee. Set aside to dissolve.

Line an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with oil for easy removal later .

In a double boiler melt the dark chocolate chips and make sure you stir it often.Place the container of chocolate frosting in the microwave for 1 minute. The frosting should be all melty and liquid in consistency. Once it is able to be poured out, quickly stir into the melted chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate.

Heat the white frosting for 1 minute and it should be pourable consistency. Stir in the heavy cream-coffee mixture. Melt the white chips again in a double boiler being careful not to scorch the chips. Stir the coffee frosting into the melted white chips. Pour on top of the chocolate layer.

Place coffee beans every inch. Let set in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting.

Now its time to indulge with a steaming cup of green tea...umm..umm.um.

Blackberry Cobbler Cake

Blackberries, are a sweet, juicy, low-calorie food that adds a variety of nutrients to your diet.


NUTRITIONAL FACTS: Blackberries, like most berries are low in calories and high in nutrients. Per half cup, blackberries have 37 calories, 9g of carbohydrate and 4g of fiber. Other nutrients in blackberries include vitamins A, C, and K, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. Vitamin A helps maintain eye health while vitamin C promotes wound healing, keeps gums healthy and helps the body absorb iron. Vitamin K, along with magnesium, are important in promoting bone health. Potassium plays a role in health blood pressure levels. And fiber helps control cholesterol and keeps you regular.

(Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/110325-blackberries-nutrition/#ixzz1izqK1C7L)

This sweet and tangy dessert is perfect after a Sunday lunch and a great way to use up a tart batch of Blackberries. I saw these yummalicious berries in my supermarket on sale and had to buy them, Ofcourse...

RECIPE: Blackberry Cobbler Cake

(Adapted from John Shields)

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 pint (2 cups) fresh Blackberries
1/2 to 1 cup sugar, for berries
1 cup hot water

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish.
2. Stir together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 Tbsp butter, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla .
3. Toss the berries with the sugar to taste and stir into the batter.
4. Spoon the batter into the baking dish. Pour 1 cup hot water over all and bake for 45 (50 minutes for frozen berries), until the batter rises to the surface around the edges of the pan and is light golden brown.
5. Serve plain or with vanilla Ice-cream.

Step-by-step proccess,

 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish.

NOTE: I get asked a lot, "Do I have to use an 8 by 8 inch dish or do I have to use a tube pan for a recipe?" Answer is NO you don't. You can use whatever you have on hand. To demonstrate, I have used an oblong dish that I use for serving food. You don't need every pot and pan that a recipe asks for. Just get creative and use whaever you have. I promise it will taste delicious no matter what shape or pan you use :) Since there was less surface area exposed to the heat it took about 8 minutes more in the oven so make sure you adjust the timing depending on the size of your vessel.

Stir together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 Tbsp butter, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

   

Toss the berries with the sugar to taste and stir into the batter.

Spoon the batter into the baking dish. Pour 1 cup hot water over all and bake for 45 (50 minutes for frozen berries), until the batter rises to the surface around the edges of the pan and is light golden brown.

   

Serve plain or with vanilla Ice-cream or green tea sorbet.

Enjoy!!! The sweet-tart and savory cobbler was just perfect ending to a perfect meal.

Garlic Mushroom Toss with Spring Onions

In my house Mushrooms were called poor man's non-veg. They have a distinct texture and flavor to them and is definately an acquired taste. I think people have a love-hate relationship with them :) I personally love them in any shape and form so lets begin with this delicious dish.

RECIPE: Garlic Mushroom Toss with Spring Onions
Ingredients
2 lbs White Mushrooms
4-5 Tbsp Olive oil, good quality
5 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 Lime, juiced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Red pepper flakes
2-3 stalks Green onions
handful of fresh flat-leaf Parsley, chopped
handful of fresh Coriannder, chopped


Method

1. Wash the Mushrooms with plenty of water and make sure to get all the grit off them or you will feel the crunch later. Trim off the stalks close to the caps.
2. Heat the oil in a wok and add garlic to it. Cook for a few minutes till lightly browned.
3. Add Mushrooms and saute over high heat till all the oil is absorbed by the mushrooms. Turn down the heat and let them sweat a little. They will release plenty of moisture in the next few minutes.
4. Increase the heat again and let most of the moisture evapotrate. One they are fairly dry add the lime juice, salt and pepper, paprika and red pepper flakes.
5. Stir in the green onions and stir well. Lastly add the chopped herbs and serve steaming hot with a crusty bread.

Step-by-step process,

Wash the Mushrooms with plenty of water and make sure to get all the grit off them or you will feel the crunch later. Trim off the stalks close to the caps.

Heat the oil in a wok and add garlic to it. Cook for a few minutes till lightly browned.

Add Mushrooms and saute over high heat till all the oil is absorbed by the mushrooms. Turn down the heat and let them sweat a little. They will release plenty of moisture in the next few minutes.

Increase the heat again and let most of the moisture evapotrate. One they are fairly dry add the lime juice, salt and pepper, paprika and red pepper flakes. I like my food to be a little hot. FACT: Lime juice actually stop the cooking and adds a gloss to the mushrooms.

Stir in the green onions and stir well. Lastly add the chopped herbs and serve steaming hot with a crusty bread.

Enjoy!! I can't wait to get a bite of it.