The Smart Pounder

Chocolate confectioneries require higher grades of chocolate compared to those for chocolate chip cookies. Recipes that require pure chocolate have to undergo tempering to attain that creaminess, glossiness and firmness. Tempering also allows chocolate to have a longer shelf life.

Chocolate that didn’t go through proper tempering is prone to bloomingit will be flaky, blotchy, and crumbly. White spots will appear on its surface as a result and the candy won’t even last for a two days.

Cocoa butter is the key factor in chocolate tempering–the reason why chocolates are “real”. Cocoa butter contains fatty acids that need to crystallize. During this process, it can form six different types of crystals when different temperatures are applied. To get the exact crystal type, chocolate temperatures should be regularly checked. You will get the best chocolate features once the exact type of crystals is obtained. Once you get the right crystals, you can assure that chocolate will turn out smooth, creamy, rich and shiny.

Fatty acids in the cocoa butter bind themselves together to create crystal structures. In order to bind them well and produce the exact consistency of crystals, exact temperature is also needed.

Crystals in chocolate have its own freezing and melting point. It freezes and melts when it reaches certain temperature. For instance, water when in an ice form melts and turns into liquid at a temperature of 32 F. It turns into ice again at a lower temperature of 0F.

When water is about to turn into ice, it has to meet its freezing point. The molecules in water will start sticking together and form crystals. The crystals will now occupy the space, crammed full. The stability of the new form of solid will rely on how dense and uniform are the created crystals.

Crystallization in chocolate is just the same as in water. When chocolate is in its tempered form the crystals are very stable and it’s hard to disfigure the shape. Once chocolate tempering is done properly, it will remain tempered even in room temperature of about 68-77F or 20-25C. The point of melting for chocolate is at 98F or 37C; usually at this point, the crystals begin to be loosed from their bonds and break up.

The temperature plays a great role in tempering. Chocolate makers have to depend on their calibrated thermometer to be able to determine that the temperature is accurate. Mercury-Gauge Chocolate thermometer is usually the one that chocolatiers use because it is accurate in reading temperatures. It can read temperature as low as 80F. If you are serious enough in your chocolate candy making, you have to acquire this equipment.

If the temperature is not accurate during the tempering process other types of crystals may form and take over the process. Another type of crystals may form at 79F and another at 97F. That is why it is really important to check on the temperature regularly.

Even though Fannie May has become a household name recently, the business had simple beginnings. This well known chocolate business first opened its doors in 1920 in the Windy City, and during almost a century in business it has turned into one of the nation’s favorite sweet shops. Fannie May’s talent of combining quality ingredients in precisely the right way made them such a favorite with the public they grew to just below forty-eight branches in merely fifteen years. As an interesting aside the management were so dedicated to the standard of its sweets they preferred to shut stores instead of changing their chocolates during wartime rationing. Luckily, many of the recipes it used back then are in production and on sale today.

Visit and surf to our terrific website for chocolate clues!

Of course all the candies come attractively presented. Remember to order a beautiful gift box or tin if the chocolate is for a present, simply to give the candies something extra. How much you give is wholly up to you, ranging from only one perfect chocolate treat to a hamper filled with each type of chocolate truffle, fruit creams and every other center you can imagine manufactured by Fannie May. There are a variety of different gift ideas online, or you can ask for specific kinds and simply pick which box you want. On top of all that, Fannie May has multiple franchises across America and globally. So you can choose a gift from the comfort of your home and have your present sent anyplace. While there are a few delivery limitations during the hottest weather, Fannie May has the branches in place to deliver a broad range of gifts internationally. Even if you are diabetic or are unlucky enough to have an allergy, there is chocolate that is suitable for you. Fannie May’s make chocolates with no added sugar and many other treats besides. If you want a large quantity of smaller gift boxes or special gifts for a wedding dinner, Fannie May have a selection to choose from. You just have to ping them online or off to let them know what you need.

It’s easy to see why Fannies May’s products are such a success story. So, the difficult task will probably be choosing from the large variety of options on offer. With every sweet treat you can think of from nougat to vanilla readily available, you are guaranteed to find precisely what you are looking for.

Have you ever asked why coffee has become so best-selling now? It is merely coffee really when you think about it. However, what is it that causes coffee really desirable? Unfamiliar to many, there are distinct ingredients added to it so they will become really flavorful and fulfilling. To others they are identified as fancy coffee!

As with any other art, preparing coffee needs experiment and practice. In the operation of creating your own coffee recipe, going through faults is not astonishing. We have here two fancy coffee recipes. You would be astounded to recognise the ingredients brought!

Cafe Borgia

The main ingredients for this Italian beverage are grated orange peels, hot chocolate and whipped cream. This recipe requires to mix 2 cups of warm chocolate and two cups of strong Italian coffee. Observing the same chocolate-coffee ratio is needed at all times. When you have finished fusing, pour the mixture in a mug and then add the cream and orange skins.

Irish Coffee

To brighten the atmosphere, Irish coffee captivates us in its own peculiar way. We require to blend a shot of whiskey and a cup of strong coffee and then the preferred amount of sugar. Then put the cream on top of it.

You may have noted that these recipes want whipped cream. Manually whipping cream will for sure take time. In order to fix them quickly, we need to use Cream Whippers. They are devices designed to fix whipped cream speedier and fuller.

Cream Whippers immensely help us as we become coffee masters in time. We will not have to worry anymore about making whipped cream. You can today focus on the mixing of components and their corresponding measures to make your chef-d’oeuvre. On top of it, Cream Whippers allow you to perform this in your houses.

Millions of Americans and people around the earth are already preparing their Super Bowl party. So just put on your favorite team’s colors, crunch on touchdown goodies and get ready for some football game with these celebration hints. By observing these Super Bowl party tips, you can rest assured that long after the closing football has been taken, everyone will think of not only the touchdown that clenched the game, but likewise the incredible job you did hosting the party. Even if you don’t recognize the difference between a Pooch Kick, a Power Sweep or a Punt, you can show your support and your love of the game with a potpourri of beverages and playbook favourites.

Here are super bowl recipes you can make for your supreme football festivity. The Mojito Dip, with its “cocktail” motif, is a terrific hit at household parties, and a certain bet to score super points at a tailgating event. Black beans and corn contribute substance to this flavorful salsa. Served hot, the sharp cheddar cheese and dry white wine make this lobster dip polished. A touch of truffle oil and sun dried tomatoes make this bean dip essential. Amaretto and OJ add citrus punch to your palatte. Super devotees will not be able to finish dipping into the bowl for this cocktail sauce. Provoke an island feel at your Super Bowl feast with pina colada dip.

Take your snack counter spread up a level with these quick ideas. Utilize mini, star-shaped biscuit cutters to make red, yellow, and green pepper stars to cover pasta salad. Supply color to a green salad with quartered baby red and yellow tomatoes. In addition to ordinary condiments, whip up foodie spreads for hamburgers. Establish your colors! Pick streamers, balloons, paper plates and table napkins in your team’s colours. Make sure to find out which team your guests are rooting for so you can have both sides represented. If it is going to be a “mixed crowd,” consider adorning different sides of your TV room for each team if you are feeling liberal. Otherwise, it’s your place, so your team rules.

You have only to look at the facts to realize the place popcorn holds in America’s perceptions. Upwards of 1.000.000.000 pounds of unpopped kernels changed hands across the tills of domestic vendors in 2000 alone. So let us point you to the Popcorn Factory, America’s paramount provider of popcorn favors, tins of popcorn, gourmet popcorn, popcorn balls and beautiful arrangements, selling over a million pounds of the delectable foodstuff annually. And if you weren’t certain, it’s certified kosher.

Considering their three decades of experience, you can rely on them to fill your order, no matter what type you happen to crave. To ensure quality they begin by choosing the finest, tastiest kernels from America. After that, corn oil is used to pop the corn and the flavors can infuse right into the flesh of the popcorn. And that fresh taste? To preserve it, straight after preparation, the corn is swiftly packaged up and sent out.

Their tins will give you plenty, in two and a half and 6 gallon sizes and packed full. So if you have a function that wants snacks providing — or simply want to stock up enough to cater for the next few movie nights — you know what you’re looking for. Plain, as you’d expect, and buttered — but you can also find them on sale in white chocolate raspberry or banana cream pie.

If these are beyond your budget, or if you’re simply thinking about some other deal, the Popcorn Factory also offers their tasty snack foods in tins and boxes. As with most gift ideas, you can have these redesigned to reflect the occasion. There are additional customization opportunities — an amusing image, the recipient’s name, even a special missive.

A great many popcorn lovers have a favorite flavor in mind and simply purchase one large order. Alternatively, assortments provide a small quantity of multiple flavors so the recipient can try everything.

If you desire more, but want to keep that range of flavors, you might put a tower together. Consisting of several containers loaded atop the others and secured, they can be ordered as premade combos or instead fill them with your favorites. There you have it; so many flavors, so many possibilities. Buy them as treats for yourself or as gifts. There’s no better way to spread a little happiness anywhere in America.

Splenda is a zero calorie alternative to sugar that’s been commercially available for 10 years. Splenda is a man-made substance produced from a chemical process that is created from the chlorination of normal sugar. Splenda is a sugar that has been chemically adapted. Splenda has enjoyed a recent rise in popularity, and many dieters and diabetics find it sweeter than any other artificial sweetener.

Between 2000 and 2004, the percentage of households in the U.S. using Splenda sweetener increased from 3 to 20 percent. Splenda sales surpassed $177 million in a recent year compared to $62 million in sales for the aspartame-based sweetener Equal and $52 million in sales for the saccharin-based sweetener Sweet ‘N Low.

The company that manufactures Splenda, McNeil Nutritionals, says that Splenda has prevailed in some of the most strict food trials on record for any food additive. McNeil claims that over 100 of these studies have been conducted on Splenda. Most of these studies have involved animals, which throws into doubt the safety report for humans.

Splenda Side Effects and Reaction Symptoms

• Skin irritation, welts or blisters
• Rash
• Allergic symptoms
• Itching
• Swelling
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Abdominal spasms
• Depression
• Forgetfulness
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Inability to concentrate
• Lightheadedness
• Panic attacks

More information on Splenda:

The Truth About Splenda

How to Detox from Splenda

When it comes to beverages, coffee, desserts and pastry doughs, whipped cream has become a needed ingredient in them. Surprisingly, it has today come to knowledge that it is an capable alternative to common house provisions care hair conditioner, skin moisturizer and shaving cream.

There are a great deal of whipped creams accessible in grocery stores. Regrettably , we can’t find the taste we’re truly searching for. There are even instances we forget to buy one because we are so occupied. Others see it truly strenuous to purchase some particularly when theyve had a hard days work.

So, the best solution to this problem is preparing whipped cream at home. To make home-brewed whipped cream, you need a gizmo referred to as Cream Whipper. Cream Whippers are specifically designed to fix preparing whipped cream easy and pleasant. Lastly, you can have flavoured whipped cream the way you desire it in your precious dessert.

To fix whipped cream on your own, you need 4 items. Plainly you require whipping cream, cream whipper, flavored syrups or sugar and cream chargers. Once you possess all these, you’re ready.

To create whipped cream:

a) Take the cream whipper first. Open it and set in whipping cream more or less half of what the whipper can hold.
b) If you like, you can flavour your whipped cream by adding sugar, artificial sweetener or flavored syrups. To mix the substances thoroughly, shake it vigorously for a minute.
c) Remove the crown after shaking. Screw in the cream charger employing the charger holder.
d) Search for a whooshing sound produced by the nitrous oxide leaving the cream charger to make certain that the cream is emulsified. Without the nitrous oxide, you cannot make whipped cream even if you already have a cream whipper. You need these 2 to work unitedly. Remove the cream charger when done.
e) Shake it a little after you have put back the crown. You have complete control of dispensing the cream by utilising the lever.

Cream Whippers are really simple to utilize. You merely need to remember three items when using them: mix the ingredients, put in the cream charger and press the lever. So the only thing left for you to make is have your own cream whipper and savor preparing your own whipped cream at home.

Almonds can be found in such common places as on top of a salad or as a snack while on a plane. They are packed full on nutritional value and are tasty to eat. Almonds are so versatile that they can be used as a key ingredient in dessert or found as a snack in between meals.

Did you know that one ounce of almonds has as much calcium as cup of milk as well as providing 35% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E. Vitamin E has been proven to help prevent some forms of cancer.

Almonds are also high in folic acid which helps prevent birth defects and have higher levels of magnesium than those found in spinach or oatmeal.

The phosphorous found in almonds helps to build strong bones and teeth and some of the other nutrients contained in almonds are protein, fiber, iron, zinc, copper and phytochemicals.

Almonds come with a long and rich history. Almonds are mentioned in the book of Numbers which dates back to around 1400 BC. Then around 300BC explorers traveling along the “Silk Road” between Asia and the Mediterranean brought along almonds to eat. These explorers consequently began to grow almonds in such new regions as Morocco, Greece, Israel, Italy and Spain.

During Roman times almonds were considered to be a fertility charm. Maybe ancient Romans new of the nutritional value of almonds and figured it couldn’t hurt with fertility. During the mid 18th century almonds made there way from Spain to California. It took a century or so for the almond trees to become established and produce the volumes of almonds we see today.

Then by the early 1900’s the San Joaquin and Sacramento areas of California were well established as leaders in the almond industry.

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. Sign up for her newsletter and learn more about Gourmayeats Weekly Recipe Club at http://www.gourmayeats.com