chocolate - grace grits and gardening

Book Launch Eve!

January 27, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

It’s Book Launch Eve and I have several book related things to talk about today (surprise, surprise) including a giveaway, launch parties, chocolate and wine! (This post is sponsored by The Women Bloggers for Kendal King Group, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Josh Cellars. Of course, all opinions about chocolate, wine, and my book are my own.)Continue Reading

Cherry Garcia Chocolate Bark

December 16, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

If you love Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream as much as I do, you will go crazy over my Cherry Garcia Chocolate Bark. Rich dark and creamy white chocolate, tart cherries and decadent Dove dark chocolate flakes—are you with me on this?

Chocolate covered cherries are a traditional Christmas candy in our home, which makes this the perfect addition to my Christmas dessert table. This is a holiday no-brainer. Sinful, addictive, and easy to make.

So now I ask, what would Jerry do?

He would eat this up.

And then he would play.

Cherry Garcia Chocolate Bark

Print Recipe

Ingredients

12 oz dark chocolate chips
10 oz white chocolate chips
1/2 cup rough chopped dried cherries
1/2 tsp almond extract
4 pieces Dove chocolate candies

Instructions

With a sharp knife, cut Dove dark chocolate candies into slivers. Buy a bag of these little jewels, but you will only need 3-4 pieces. Pour the remainder in a candy bowl. Dark chocolate has health benefits you know...
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt dark chocolate chips on 50% power, stirring every 30-45 seconds. When the chocolate is melted, add almond extract and stir until smooth. (Almond extract mixed with dark chocolate has a distinct cherry flavor so don't skip or substitute this...)
Spread melted dark chocolate onto parchment paper and smooth until the chocolate is approximately 1/4 inch thick. This is fun. Like making a mud pie.
Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator to cool and set. When the dark chocolate layer has set (about thirty minutes), melt the white chocolate in a microwave bowl on 50% power. Stir every 30-45 seconds. White chocolate melts faster than dark chocolate so this will only take 2-3 minutes.
Pour white chocolate over dark chocolate and smooth to a thin layer.
While white chocolate is still hot, sprinkle Dove slivers and chopped cherries over the top, carefully pressing large pieces into the white chocolate. Work quickly before the white chocolate cools.
Place bark into refrigerator to set.
With a sharp knife, cut into pieces.
Share with friends!
Store Cherry Garcia Chocolate Bark covered at room temperature.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p58902-1bT”]Cherry Garcia Chocolate Bark. What would Jerry do? #WWJD #ChristmasDesserts[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Grateful Dead – Sleigh Ride

Simple Pecan Fudge

December 9, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner

Fudge was one of my Daddy’s all-time favorite desserts. Momma stood at the stove all night (it seemed) stirring together chocolate and milk and sugar. She always used the recipe on the back of the Hershey’s cocoa canister. You know, the canister that hasn’t changed since forever? Two hours later after it reached the right temperature and set, it was yummy. Daddy said so. I never really knew because by the time it was ready, I had fallen asleep.

Today I’m sharing a simple pecan fudge recipe inspired by one I found on Allrecipes. With only four basic ingredients, this may become your new favorite holiday treat. This recipe is quick and won’t dirty up your kitchen. ‘Tis the season when everyone needs a quick dessert recipe, and let’s be honest, no one has extra time to waste slaving away in the kitchen.

Simple Pecan Fudge

Print Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

With your microwave set on 50% power, melt chocolate, milk and butter in a large glass bowl for approximately 4-5 minutes, pausing to stir every minute. (Microwaves vary so heat only until melted and smooth.)
Once the ingredients are thoroughly melted and combined, mix in pecans. (You can substitute walnuts or almonds, or eliminate nuts altogether.)
Spread chocolate mixture onto a piece of Glad Press and Seal Wrap that has been lightly sprayed with cooking oil. Shape into a log approximately one inch thick. Top with a second sheet of wrap and seal the edges.
Place in the refrigerator to set (which only takes about an hour).
Cut into squares.
Enjoy!

Pack a few pieces of this rich, creamy fudge into decorative tins and voila(!), an simple, delectable gift.