Chocolate Fondue - OutsideMix sunshine and chocolate for a fondue.
Seattle winter survival relies on coffee and chocolate in their many forms. Chocolate fondue is way up there on the list. Last dreary January, being a solar cooker fan, I wondered if my winter survival chocolate fondue could be made outside in a solar slow cooker. After all, it works on a low heat that is perfect for melting chocolate. No double boiler necessary. So, escape to Phoenix in early February to experiment with combining sunshine and chocolate ( and to visit my Mother , sister and brother-in-law ) This was definetly going to be a family event ! We used 1/2 pound of Bissingers dark chocolate shaved into slivers for quick melting - chocolate chips will do , too. about 3 -4 ounces of heavy cream and 1/2 ounce of Grand Marnier ( about perfect for a background orange flavor. Too much makes the fondue bitter ) After setting up our solar slow cooker, our small pot got very warm right away, so in went the cream first, then the chocolate, and lastly, the Grand Marnier. The chocolate started melting right away. Next was stirring it all up ! Then bagging it up in the solar slow cooker. We checked on it in about 5 minutes and gave it a few stirs before re-bagging it up to heat some more. When the chocolate fondue is totally melted and of a consistent texture, it is ready! This took about ten minutes total. Want to see our chocolate fondue in action? Click the arrow in the center of the photo below - pause- and then click the arrow again
What to do? Well, my Mom kindly volunteered to store the leftovers in her 'fridge. It took several hours after we got home for her to confess that she recognized a great homemade fudge when she saw it. She loves fudge! Smart lady !
Chocolate Fondue Fixin's :Even if you are enjoying your fondue "commando style" ( with your fingers), you can add to your chocolate a background flavor of : Ameretto - almond flavor Frangelico - hazelnut flavor Grand marnier - orange flavor Cherry Kiafa or Kirsch or Brandy for the cherry flavor Coffee ! - Mocha flavor Chile Pepper - this is tasty, think Mole sauce Rasberries - pureed Blackberries - pureed Mint Plums - pureed Coconut Peanut Butter Cranberries - minced The trick here is that you want a background flavor that appears and lingers in your mouth after the initial chocolate flavor burst. You'll find that too little background flavoring is better than too much. Go easy !
Chocolate Dippin'sTake a moment to imagine the tastes of dipping the following treats into melted dar chocolate : coconut cherries strawberries almonds raisins pecans apples peaches pound cake lemon cake short bread cookies like peanut butter, shortbread or thumbprint with jam angel food cake devils food cake peanut butter gobs your fingers your lovers fingers pineapple bananas termites (just wondering if you're still reading) mint leaves rose petals grapes orange slices apricots If you can think of more, send me an email ! I hope that by now you're craving to taste a chocolate fondue. We made a very good memory that day. You can make your own delectable memories by clicking on the link below and ordering a solar slow cooker. Enjoy !!
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