‘Linda Collister’s name on a baking book guarantees high quality.’ So says
The Guardian and with
Nigella Lawson ranking amongst her fans, you can’t go wrong. This time, Linda has turned her hand to
chocolate and she has approached the subject most thoroughly. We dare you to get to the end of this book without reaching for a bar or failing that, just drooling over the superb photography by
Martin Brigdale.
The book begins with the
basics, all you need to know about
cooking and handling chocolate. The techniques of melting and tempering (making chocolate shiny and smooth), to shaving chocolate curls and making Easter eggs are accompanied by step-by-step photographs. This demystifies the art of handling chocolate and you will soon be rolling your own truffles.
Having mastered the handling, Linda gets down to some serious recipes, which will satisfy every chocoholic.
Chocolate salami is a mixture of praline and crystallized fruit rolled into a sausage, which is then cut into thin slices.
Surprise eggs will delight young and old at Easter; a combination of chocolate and praline is poured into eggshells and allowed to harden. Serve in eggcups or put into an egg box as a present.
Very rich chocolate brûlée is a smooth chocolate cream which you can make two days in advance, with the crunchy caramel topping added just before serving. Or what about a velvety
white chocolate ice cream, served in tuile
chocolate baskets? For a dinner party choose
Italian chocolate amaretto torta, a light cake best served with some berries and cream.
And when you are on your way to bed, knock up
Monsieur St. Disdiers’ chocolate, a French recipe dating back to 1692.
Monsieur St. Disdiers was the
Royal Chocolate Maker to William III and he confected this luscious combination of chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla. Take care not to drink too much though, as it is very rich.
You will find this the ultimate collection of chocolate recipes, each one more delicious and slavering than the last. From breakfast through to bedtime, think
chocolate.
Linda Collister does and
she does it brilliantly.
Publication details:
128 pp. Photography by Martin Brigdale. £14.99
Published by Ryland Peters & Small
ISBN 1841723207
2002For more information on Ryland Peters & Small,
click here.
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