RECIPE: HOMEMADE DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Martie Duncan June 13, 2014

I made these decadent Dark Chocolate Truffles for our Girls' Night In party a few years ago. When people see the photos, they always ask for the recipe. Truffles can be very expensive so these homemade truffles make a wonderful holiday treat! One word of advice... double the batch to have plenty to give and to keep!

You can make these in your favorite flavors by adding extract or liqueur to the heavy cream. You can also use anything you like for the outside as well such as toasted pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, coconut, decorative sugar, white chocolate, or powdered sugar.

Store these homemade truffles in a cool, dry container lined in parchment paper.

Make homemade chocolate truffles for your next party or to give to someone special on Valentine's Day. They are simple to make, delicious, and best of all, you can make them in your favorite flavors.

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Makes: 25-30

INGREDIENTS

2 cups 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips

1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Options:

¼ teaspoon orange zest with ½ teaspoon orange liqueur

¼ teaspoon strong coffee or espresso with ½ teaspoon coffee liqueur

DIRECTIONS:
In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the chocolate chips. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and pour into a shallow bowl.

Cool, cover, and refrigerate the mixture until firm, at least 2 hours.

Use a very small ice cream scoop, a melon baller, or very small spoon to roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in cocoa. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

You may also roll truffles in finely chopped chocolate, finely chopped toasted nuts or coconut, or Confectioners sugar.

PARTY THEME: HOST A NEIGHBORHOOD CAROLING PARTY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Martie Duncan June 13, 2014

This has to be one of the coolest holiday traditions I know about. My in-laws (ex) host a huge neighborhood caroling party on the 23rd of December each year. It started out as an actual house-to-house caroling party but quickly evolved to a party at their home with a hundred folks gathered around the two beautiful Steinway concert grand pianos in the music room. (She's a classically trained pianist and has played at Carnegie Hall, twice!)

All of the neighbors come and bring a dish, many of them have become almost as much of a tradition as the party itself. The college kids always make it home from school in time for this party... everyone arrives early and stays late. Certain songs are sung each year and people wrangle for the best parts. The Twelve Days of Christmas parts are handed out and some of the youngest kids have a chance to perform, too. Many of the neighbors are also talented musicians and singers; many are involved in local theater and very respected church choirs. In other words... the music is good. Now, I am sure you are wondering how I am involved and why I still get to go even though it is the ex-in-laws... well, I bring all of the fresh cut greenery from the farm and help do all of the decorations. And I'm fun :)

This is a party for all generations and a wonderful tradition you should start in your own neighborhood.

THE FOOD

Like I said, everyone pitches in and the host provides the beverages and a couple of the most requested dishes. Amy's Egg-Nog is also one of the highlights... in both high-test (spiked with bourbon) and regular versions. Sam's famous Erma Bombeck Dip has been a Christmas tradition as long as I can remember. But it doesn't last long!

THE DECORATIONS

Since the house is already decorated for the holidays, decorating is easy. Vases of fresh greenery, Poinsettias, and candles (where the kids cannot knock them over) are all you need. Snip the ends of greenery and keep it outside in buckets of water until party day. Put your arrangements together the morning of the party and they should stay fresh through the holidays.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

Print copies of your favorite Christmas carols and staple them together so guests can have the words in front of them. If you are not lucky enough to have a concert pianist in your group, call the local college music department or a nearby church... and if you don't have a piano, get someone who can bring a keyboard. If all else fails, there are plenty of sing-along CD's or Karaoke tracks available. Have a well-rounded mix of carols to sing... include classics like Oh Holy Night to popular hits like Santa Baby and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. One of the highlights of this party is when the men sing "Walking 'Round in Women's Underwear" to the tune of Walking in a Winter Wonderland. It is hysterical to see bankers and lawyers and even cops singing that one.

Here's to the holidays... create some memories with those you love. And your neighbors, too!

Photos: Arden Photography

COCKTAIL RECIPE: CLASSIC BLOODY MARY

Martie Duncan June 13, 2014

Something about football screams Bloody..... Mary:)

I'm not sure where it started, but no tailgate worth it's ribs would be complete without a Bloody Mary. And just like ribs, potato salad, and gumbo, everyone has a recipe (most very closely guarded secrets) for the world's best Bloody Mary. I've researched. I've asked my friends. I've taste-tested, mixed, and poured. Now, I'd like to offer my own entry into the Bloody Mary Hall of Fame. Try one this weekend and let me know what you think!

Put a garden in your glass with this Bloody Mary recipe perfect for brunch or game day get-togethers.

MARTIE'S CLASSIC BLOODY MARY

Makes about a quart of mix; enough for 6-8 drinks

In a blender add:

3 cups tomato juice

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 1/4 tablespoons horseradish (fresh or jar)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco

1/4 teaspoon celery salt (plus more for rimming the glasses)

1/3 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Whir everything together until smooth, transfer to a glass pitcher and chill. Before serving, assemble your mix-ins, garnishes, and rim mix.

Rim mix: Pour 1/4 t. celery salt, 1/4 t. Kosher salt, 1/4 t. black pepper onto a saucer. To rim glasses, use a lemon or lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into the mix.

To serve: Add one ounce good quality vodka (I often use Absolut Peppar for a spicy kick) to each glass. Fill with ice. Pour Bloody Mary mix over ice. Let guests garnish at will.

Garnish and mix-in options:

Limes, cut into wedges

Lemons, cut into wedges

Celery stalks with the leafy green tops

Pickled green beans

Pickled okra

Green onion stalks

Tabasco

Additonal Horseradish