Gourmet Chocolate Decadence
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Chocolate - Food of The Gods Satisfies and Excites our Taste Buds
By liberating endorphins in the body, chocolate provides us with feelings of comfort and well being, energy and pleasure.
Some surveyed women go as far a saying that they would prefer chocolate to sex!
No wonder with such a texture, rich color and taste, chocolate is not only an aphrodisiac but also a pleasure for the senses.
Not just any chocolate will turn on a chocophile - it must be smooth as silk on the tongue, tempting to the eye and a bouquet of the exotic scent of cocao infused with vanilla bean, spices, nuts or fruits and just a an angels breath of sugar.
Special Discount Coupon Code
Enjoy 10% off all chocolate gift orders over $60 at Hotel Chocolat before June 30th 2009 with this exclusive US coupon code, CHOCA9.
Secrets and Desires
For the ultimate romantic chocolate tasting experience.Do you dare to slip on the satin blindfold and get seduced by the rich, daring and sensual flavors and textures of this decadent romantic collection?
Leonidas Belgian Chocolates
Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb General Chocolate Assortment
Leonidas General Assortment...with a well balanced and representative selection of Leonidas' fresh butter creams, sinfully smooth truffles and delectable pralines, there is sure to be something in this assortment to please everybody, and is guaranteed to tantalize even the most discerning palates.
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Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Signature Dark Chocolates Assortment
Leonidas Dark Chocolate Assortment, so dark, rich and creamy, you'll believe that you've gone to chocolate heaven.
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Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Signature Decorative Ballotin
Leonidas Assorted Belgian Chocolate Assortment in Leondas signature ballotin
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Chocolate enhances cardiovascular health. Like red wine, the phenols contained in dark chocolate help prevent coronary diseases.
The British Medical Journal reports that a daily portion of 100 grams of dark chocolate reduces blood pressure and the occurrence of cardiovascular incidents by 21%.
Liquor Filled Chocolate Bottles - A Chocolate Favorite At Our House
Although many of these may be found on store shelves of popular department stores around Christmas time and can be sold to those of any age due to the minuscule amount of alcohol, I did think that I wanted to point out that even though the alcohol percentage is so low you may want to keep these for adults of 21 and over only.
Some brands of chocolate liquor flavored bottled only contain chocolate liquor which is part of the chocolate making and tempering process and chocolate liquor contains no alcohol.
Many times non-alcoholic flavoring will then be added to give you a particular flavor.
Very Special Liquor Filled Chocolate Bottles 48 piece Holiday Gift Box
12 Remy Martin, 12 Kahlua,12 Grand Marnier,12 Jim Beam
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) 
List Price: $48.00
Anthon Berg Chocolate Liqueurs with Original Spirits - 64 pcs. Gift Box
The fillings include: 8 of each of the following flavors: Borghetti Caffe Espresso, Danzka Cranberyraz Vodka, Jack Daniel's Tenesee Whiskey, Cointreau Specialte de France, Grand Marnier Liquor, Drambuie, Cutty Shark Scots whiskey, and Galliano Vanilla Liquer
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $49.99
Very Special Liquor Filled Chocolates 22 Count Variety Christmas Holiday Gift Pack
Flavors include Stolinchnaya Orange Russian Vodka, Cointreau Liquor from France, Darmbuie Liquer, Khalua Licor de Café, Sambuca, Cles des Ducs, B and B Liquor, Chambord, Saint James, and Jack Daniels
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $28.99
48ct Liqueur Crate Dark Wood
Features Jack Daniel's, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Southern Comfort, liqueur chocolats
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
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![Anthon Berg Chocolate Bottle Liqueurs [36CT Box]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YR9DQ0NBL._SL75_.jpg)
Anthon Berg Chocolate Bottle Liqueurs [36CT Box]
Flavors include Stoli, Drambuie, Malibu Rum, Grand Marnier, Jack Daniel's Whiskey, Galliano, Southern Comfort, Borghetti, and Sauza Tequila Gold
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Chocolate is an excellent source of magnesium
Lindt Chocolate Truffles
If you haven't tried these Lindor Truffles you are missing out on one of life's simple pleasure. A Lindt Lindor truffle has a firm chocolate shell enclosing a sweet and rich ganache.
Lindt Lindor truffles come in many different flavors and types of chocolate. My favorite are the dark chocolate truffles with the dark chocolate centers.
Lindt Lindor Truffles - 21.2 ounce Package of Assorted Chocolate Truffles!
Amazon Price: $28.00 (as of 07/10/2009)
Lindt Truffles - Lindor Extra Dark 60% Cocoa Chocolate Truffles - 60 count box display
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Lindt Chocolate, Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles~60 Ct Bulk
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Lindt Lindor Truffles, Assorted Milk, Dark and White Chocolates with a Smooth Filling-19oz. Bag(pack of 2)
Amazon Price: $32.49 (as of 07/10/2009)
Lindt Truffles - Lindor Dark Chocolate Truffles - 60ct Box
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
For The Chocolate Purist
There is chocolate and there is CHOCOLATE. The Organic Purist Collection is for those that can appreciate fine organic chocolate. The chocolate for this collection is from Hacienda Iara Plantation in Ecuador and has a light, silky, yet deep satisfying flavor. My particular favorite is the 100% dark, but my pepper head husband prefers the 72% dark with chili and pink peppercorns. A taste so satisfying that you only need a small piece to feel spoiled.
Chocolates For The Coffee and Wine Connoisseur
Coffee Lover's Chocolate Collection- 3pack
Coffee Lover's milk chocolate drops have a uniquely subtle caramel flavor that are an ideal accompaniment to the rich taste of coffee, and the creamy texture of each drop is like butter on your tongue.
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Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Wine Lover's Chocolate Collection
The Wine Lover's Chocolate Collection is a distinctive and elegant offering from the San Francisco Chocolate Factory. Drops of dark chocolate with increasingly rich cocoa intensities are packaged in six signature Wine Country tins; each 3.5 oz. tin is also labeled with the wine varietal to which that specific chocolate is ideally matched.
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Amazon Price: $37.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Mocha Truffle Recipe
Ingredients:
2 packages (12 oz each) Semisweet chocolate chips
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 Tbs instant coffee granules
2 tsp. water
1 lb. good dark chocolate cocoa confectionery coating
white confectionery coating, optional
Cooking & Assembly:
1. In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt chocolate chips.
2. Add cream cheese, coffee and water; mix well.
3. Chill until firm enough to shape.
4. Shape into 1" balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
5. Chill for 1-2 hours or until firm.
6. Melt chocolate coating in microwave-safe bowl or double boiler.
7. Dip balls and place on waxed paper to harden.
If desired, melt white coating and drizzle over truffles
Truffles are one of the easiest candies to make! You can also take 1 truffle recipe and turn it into several.
For example: omit the coffee from the recipe above and you have chocolate truffles. Add orange zest and you have chocolate-orange truffles. Add a teaspoon or mint extract and you now have chocolate-mint truffles.
When making truffles, I usually double the above recipe and then divide into quarters so that I can make 4 different flavors of truffles.
Another suggestion is to omit the chocolate coating in step 6 & 7, and instead of dipping the truffles in the melted chocolate you can roll them in cocoa powder, coconut, sprinkles or ground nuts. Each will give you truffles a different texture and flavor.
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Bartons Exquisite Chocotini Tini's Milk and Dark Chocolate
Bartons Exquisite Chocotini Tini's Milk and Dark Chocolate Holiday Chocolate Candy Gift Present
If chocotini's are one of your favorites, you are going to love Bartons Chocotini chocolate candies. Each piece of chocolate is infused with the popular martini flavors.
In the package you will find Raspberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Mojito, and Pomegranate flavors.
My personal favorite is the mojito in dark chocolate. It has the cooling flavor of mint exploding oh so gently in your mouth while the silkiness of the dark chocolate completes your experience.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
French Style Chocolate Truffles
2.2 Pounds of Chocolate Truffles - French Truffles - 1 Box - Great Christmas Gift!
Amazon's #1 seller in Gourmet Products for the Holidays the last three years!
Over 2.2 Pounds of delicious imported chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa powder! And NO TRANS FATS!
128 pieces sealed in two gold pouches for freshness.
These authentic French chocolate truffles are a great gift!
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Amazon Price: $45.00 (as of 07/10/2009)
Champagne Truffles - Chocolate Decadence Times Two
Champagne Truffles are available in both Champagne and Pink Champagne. The pink champagne truffles are kissed with strawberry powder and the Champagne are dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect Anniversary gift.
Chocolate Coins
Godiva Chocolates
Godiva Chocolate, Gift Set, Godiva Tray, Chocolates & Coffee
A chocoholics dream come true.
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Looking For a Romantic Evening at Home?
Looking to turn up the heat on your relationship? Want to send signals that you want your relationship to become more intimate, yet you want to proceed with caution? Then this Chocolate Dipping Adventure for two is perfect for an innocent, yet truly sensuous evening. Start off by warming the chocolate and as it's sweet, yet heady scent is released use the included dipping items and share your taste experiences. Come on be adventurous! So What Is Drinking Chocolate?
Drinking Chocolate - Better Than Hot Chocolate?
When you hear the phrase "drinking chocolate" do you automatically think of "hot chocolate mix"?
Most people do. So what's the big difference?
The three biggest differences between drinking chocolate and the typical hot chocolate drinks are the quality of the taste, ease of preparation, and the health benefits.
"Drinking chocolate" is made from real chocolate, so it has all of the rich flavor that a piece of delicious chocolate has.
The cocoa in most hot chocolate mixes, on the other hand, undergoes a lot of processing the removes the natural oils. Most processed cocoa mixes just don't have the same rich flavor that unprocessed chocolate has.
Hot chocolate is typically a mixture of dried processed cocoa, dried milk solids and refined sugar. Usually all you have to do is add hot water and a marshmallow, and it's ready to drink. Drinking chocolate typically comes in the form of chunks or chocolate shavings, and it takes more time to prepare than hot chocolate from a mix.
In order to prepare drinking chocolate, you have to carefully melt it first in a double boiler or by adding hot liquids, like milk, cream or water. Then you have to whisk the liquids and the melted chocolate together carefully, making sure that you don't scorch the milk. Add a sweetener to suit your taste and you're ready to enjoy your delicious hot treat.
Although the preparation really only takes 5 to 10 minutes, it can seem like a long time if you're used to using hot chocolate mix. But once you've had the experience of sitting down with a freshly made hot cup of rich drinking chocolate, there will be no doubt in your mind that it's worth the extra time and effort.
As for health benefits, it's pretty clear which one is the winner. Everyone knows that foods that have less processing are healthier than processed foods, and it's no different with chocolate. Hot chocolate is a mixture of dried cocoa, dried milk solids, and refined sugar. All of those ingredients are heavily processed foods.
But a good quality drinking chocolate has the same health benefits as any other good quality chocolate. It's healthy for the heart, and lowers blood pressure. And it increases serotonin, which regulates your feeling of well-being.
It not only tastes good, it's good for you, too.
Drinking Chocolate
Schokinag Extreme Dark Chocolate - European Drinking Chocolate
The Ultimate Dark Chocolate Lover's European Drinking Chocolate. With a cocoa content of 79%, this is the richest, darkest drinking chocolate available.
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BELLAGIO Gourmet Mocha Hot Cocoa Chocolate 6 Pack Set: Truffle, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Orange Pecan, Raspberry Parfait & Holiday Spice
Indulge your senses and chocolate cravings with this 6 packet variety set of rich gourmet hot cocoa. Experience a flavorful, relaxing drink with each cup of steaming cocoa - and find the flavor that is just right for you.
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Do You Like Your Chocolate Hot 'n Spicy?
One of the most popular trends in chocolate for 2009 is actually hundreds of years old. Spicy, liquid chocolate is the way the Aztecs would enjoy their chocolate and now this drink has come full circle and is today's hottest (excuse the pun) trend.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate covered strawberries are super simple to make, yet they are oh, so expensive to buy, so why not make your own.
Ingredients:
Ripe Strawberries
1 package chocolate chips or 1 pound of chocolate bark
Instructions
1. Wash strawberries and pat with paper towel to dry.Leave stem attached.
2. Place chocolate in top of double boiler or microwave in glass dish.
3. Pick up the strawberries one by one by the stem and dip up to stem into melted chocolate.
4. Place on waxed paper to allow the chocolate to harden.
When melting chocolate in microwave, melt in 20 second intervals and stir between each interval. This will allow the chocolate to melt but won't over cook the chocolate.
To make your dipped strawberries look extra special, melt white chocolate in a plastic ziplock or twist tie sandwich bag. Place bag in microwave and again heat in 20 second intervals. Squeeze the bag to mix the chocolate and when fully melted snip one corner of the bag off and use the hole to drizzle the chocolate over your cooled strawberries.
To make softer chocolate you can add 1 teaspoon butter or Crisco to the chocolate when melting. This will make the chocolate less brittle.
Chocolate Truffle Recipe Books
For Chocolate Lovers: From Truffles to Tiramisu (The Small Book of Good Taste Series)
A sumptuous selection of 30 chocolaty delights, from cakes, éclairs, and mousses to rich and indulgent ice cream and chocolate truffles. Here is a mouthwatering collection of recipes devoted to all things chocolate-treats like Chocolate-Almond Mousse, White Chocolate Fondue, Chocolate Cheesecake, Marbled Crisp Cake, and Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream.
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Truffles: 50 Deliciously Decadent Homemade Chocolate Treats
In Truffles, Dede Wilson presents 50 clear, easy-to-follow recipes for delicious truffles using milk, dark, and white chocolate infused with a variety of fabulous flavorings, such as raspberry, ginger, espresso, cognac, passion fruit, hazelnut, and champagne. Truffle storing tips and decorative ideas as also included in this popular truffle recipe book.
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Truffles, Candies, and Confections: Techniques and Recipes for Candymaking
In addition to chocolate truffles you will find recipes for other chocolate delicacies. Delish!
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Chocolate Recipe Books
Take a look through some of these tempting chocolate recipe books. If you are looking for a particular type of chocolate recipe such as chocolate truffles, just use the search feature.
Have fun!
Love Gourmet Coffee But Can't Afford Coffee Shop Prices?
Keurig brewing systems let you brew gourmet coffee at home at the fraction of the cost of coffee shops.Brewing just 1 cup at a time, your cup of coffee will always be fresh and delicious and yes, even better tasting than the coffee that you'll get at coffee shops!
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Keurig Gourmet Brewing Systems and K-Cups Coffee
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Keurig Single Cup Brewing Systems and K-Cups allow you to brew the freshest, best tasting coffee, tea or hot cocoa in under 1 minute, at home at a fraction of the price of gourmet coffee shops. Keurig's gourmet coffee and tea partners offer more tha...
Mocha Fondue
Fondue which was very popular during the 70's is making a comeback. But instead of having meat heated in oil, then dipped in mayonnaise and other heavy dressings people are opting for lighter fondue treats such as fruits and angel food cake dipped in chocolate.
The swing from the heavier and fattier foods to fruits and breads fits in with lighter tastes in food and the availability of fruit year round.
This recipe can be made with or without the coffee, if you prefer to serve standard chocolate fondue or you may add a touch of almond extract or cinnamon for a more exotic flavor.
1 - 4-ounce package sweet baking chocolate (Bakers brand or Hershey's works well)
4 - ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or you may use semisweet chips like Nestle's
2/3 cup light cream or milk (do not use skim milk)
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (optional)
Assorted fruits (such as strawberries (washed and dried), kiwi, banana slices or chunks, fruit wedges, orange slices, apple slices, maraschino cherries). Make sure that your fruit is patted dry before using.
You may also use 1 inch cubes of pound cake, angel food cake, pretzel rods, small pretzels, biscuit type cookies, marshmallows, Oreo cookies and almost any type of cookie, that will hold up to a layer of chocolate.
In a heavy saucepan or in the top of a double boiler, combine chocolates, cream, sugar, and coffee crystals.
Heat and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Do not heat enough to boil - the chocolate mixture should just be warm and creamy -not cooked.
Remove from heat; stir in liqueur or almond extract.
Pour into a fondue pot; keep warm over low heat.
Enjoy!
Describe Your Favorite Chocolate
Do you like the bitter or semi-sweet dark European chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate?
Are chocolate truffles your favorite or do you prefer chocolate cake or sipping chocolate?
Do you have a favorite brand of chocolate?
We would like to know!
by blujeanmomma
All of us have our favorite chocolate. Some like rich, silky dark chocolate, many Americans prefer milk chocolate and still others g... (more)
