I'm very excited to be posting about the first installment of Dinner and a Movie, a new monthly blog event co-hosted by Marc of No Recipes and yours truly. Each month, Marc and I will select a new movie to watch, which will hopefully inspire you all to cook or bake something fabulous. Watch the film, run with an idea, then share it with all of us. The trick is that not every movie chosen will be a "foodie film", so you'll really have to get creative. But, we know you can do it! We hope you'll join us each month on what is sure to be delicious journey though some of our favorite films.
The movie we have chosen for this month is Chocolat. As you may already know, Chocolat is about Vianne, a rather bohemian woman and her young daughter in 1960, who open a chocolate shop in a small, conservative French village during Lent. At first, they are met with skepticism and resistance, but soon their exuberance and incredible chocolates win their acceptance into the community - almost! It is a truly sensual film full of charm, drama, romance, passion and, of course......chocolate!
The obvious choice when deciding what to make for this event was some kind of chocolate truffle. After all, Vianne's little shop was full of them. I was banking in the fact that everyone else figured this too and decided to make something else. Then, I could make truffles and not look like a big, fat copycat. So far, it seems to have worked, because I haven't noticed any other truffle entries.....yet. It doesn't matter anyway, really, because I, for one, believe that there can never be enough chocolate truffles in this world. So there!
About halfway through the movie, Vianne meets Roux, a handsome, gypsy drifter, and of course, they fall in love. Well, actually they first fall in lust. The love part comes later. But, I digress......
Anyway, the inspiration for my recipe comes from Vianne and Roux. My Spicy Chocolate Chili Truffles are for Vianne, because she is sweet, warm and a little bit spicy. My Chocolate Espresso Truffles were inspired by Roux, who is deep, mellow and a little dark.
Spicy Chocolate Chili Truffles (Les Truffes pour Vianne)
8 oz good quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, 62% cacao or higher.
1/2 cup cream
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
1 tbsp softened butter
Good quality cocoa powder for coating
Chop chocolate in a bowl.
Heat cream to simmer. Add chili flakes and steep for 15-20 minutes. Reheat cream to simmer. Add chipotle powder and stir.
Pour cream mixture over the chocolate through a strainer. Let sit a few minutes and gently stir until well combined.
Drop small bits of butter into ganache and continue stirring until smooth and homogeneous.
Let ganache sit until cooled. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours until firm and "scoopable".
Remove, and with a teaspoon or melon baller, scoop out balls of the ganache. Roll in your hands quickly to avoid melting, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Roll truffles in cocoa powder and serve.
Chocolate-Espresso Truffles (Les Truffes pour Roux)
8 oz good quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, 62% cacao or higher. (I used a mix of each)
1/2 cup cream
2 tsps espresso powder
1 tbsp softened butter
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped for coating
Roasted espresso beans for garnish
Heat cream to simmer. Add espresso powder and stir until dissolved.
Pour cream over chocolate and let sit a few minutes. Then, gently stir until well combined.
Drop small bits of butter into ganache and continue stirring until smooth and homogeneous.
Let ganache sit until cooled. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours until firm and "scoopable".
Remove and with a teaspoon or melon baller, scoop out balls of the ganache. Roll in your hands quickly to avoid melting, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Melt white chocolate in a small bowl. Carefully dip truffles in and set on parchment paper. Top with an espresso bean and let sit until coating hardens.
Enjoy!
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40 comments:
Boy do these look delicious! Truffles are one of the most decadently wonderful desserts, and I love both versions that you've posted. I especially can't wait to try your spicy truffle...I love the combination of chili powder and chocolate!
What a fun event! Those truffles sounds excellent - love both recipes!
I like how the flavors decribe the characters.
I've not seen that movie though I have heard of it. (Weird but true I don't watch TV.) I'm going to try and make a point of watching the moving.
~ingrid
I love that movie - your truffles and Johnny Depp make me drool.
What gorgeous truffles! They look really pretty and delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Delicious!! I definitely think Vianne is a hot chilli woman. And there can never be too many truffles!
what a fantastic idea :) i love chocolat. those truffles look amazing :) i lov e cooffee abd even chili chocolate. yummy :)
Good Morning Susan, What a fun thing to do. I may have to join you all one day because this one sounds so fun. Those truffles sounds excellent - love both recipes!
HUGS,
Donna
sadly, i've never seen chocolat. never fear, though--that has not and will not stop me from consuming more than my fair share of the stuff. :)
YUM! I will take some chocolate espresso truffles. Those sound delicious!
What incredible looking truffles. Pure decadence.
These would be a welcome treat in my home..don't know how long they would last though. This event is so much fun Susan, I look forward to the next movie:D
I love that movie, but YOUR Chocolat is divine looking!
ANY reason to watch it!!! It's my favorite! (Now where have I heard that before????? :)
My husband bought me the DVD version for Christmas (we had the VHS) along with several pieces of different kinds of chocolates. We actually just watched again it a few mights ago.
Great choice for this movie and they look so good. Beautiful pictures,Susan!
Oooh both types of truffles look goorgeous! I love the film Chocolat - although it gives me huge chocolate cravings! Dinner and a Movie is a great event.
Gorgeous and delicious looking truffles! They look so tempting. Thank you for this month challenge, it was fun.
Cheers,
Elra
Fabulous recipes, Susan, and I adore Chocolat! BTW... I left you some linky love on my blog Friday.
Wonderful tribute er...tributes to Chocolat. I enjoyed the movie and munching on truffles on the sofa sounds even better!
Oh yum. These are very cleverly set up. I remember the hot chocolate in that movie. It was like pure melted chocolate. At the end he said it was his favorite all along (because she could never guess his favorite chocolate treat).
I love your interpretation of the characters for these truffles- so well thought out! This was a great blogging event to be a part of!
Good movie. Great truffles!
I'm coming over, wow this looks delicious.
delicious! I try both thank you! :)
These look great! I've never made truffles...except for my fake brownie ones. :-) Chocolat is SUCH a good movie. I just recently watched it but really enjoyed it.
Wonderful pairing of food with that movie. I love that movie and I think your truffles deserve to be eaten while watching it.
Mmm, the ingredients sound sensual and provocative (to the tastebuds), so it is a wonderful match for the movie, Chocolat! Great choice because I agree with you that the world needs more truffles!
What fun this sounds like. And the truffles, OMG! How decadent!
Dinner and a movie sounds fun! The truffles look great!
Gorgeous truffles, and I love the flavors!!
They look fantastic and I agree there are never enough chocolate truffles in the world. I love hte sound of the chili ones especially! :)
Chili and chocolates is one combination I have been curious to try but never came around to. Now I'm going to put a chili chocolate on my shopping list for net time!
I love this movie and these truffles!
Holy Schmoly did you make those truffles look AMAZING!! Magazine worthy photos my dear :)
What an enjoyable event. Your truffles sound sinfully delicious. I can't wait to hear what the next movie will be!
I loved the movie Chocolat! I thought it was great. I think I'd ALSO love these truffles...YUM!
Thanks for dreaming up this fun blog event. Both truffles look delicious.
OH la la! I am bummed we missed this event, company in town, but I am glad I came over for a nibble of that truffle. They look and sound fantastic! I really need to make truffles it has been so long.
I hope we can do the next movie night event!
I have always beed intrigued by the combination of chocolate and chili. Will have to try yours.
I am going to have to flag this one. I have been wanting to do some kind of chili tuffle. Great pic too, love your composition.
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