Today I'm so excited to be hosting Kathy Aarons! I've had Death is Like a Box of Chocolates, her first mystery in the Chocolate Covered series, on my TBR since I first came across it last year and I'm really excited about her 2nd book - Truffled to Death - which was released just a couple of months ago. There's chocolate, a bookstore and murder! What more could I ask for?
Today Kathy is going to share a recipe I cannot wait to try. One more reason this series is firmly on my TBR - the recipes! To find out more about Kathy and her books you can visit her website, Goodreads, and Amazon
And now here's Kathy to show a yummy truffle recipe!
Below is one of the first truffle recipes I tried and it made me fall in love with chocolate all over again!
I’m Kathy Aarons, author of the Chocolate Covered Mystery
series by Berkley Prime Crime. Lucky for me, I just have to try all of the recipes in my books. The recipes are
supplied by chocolatier Isabella Knack, owner of Dallmann’s Fine Chocolates in
San Diego. Her truffles are gorgeous works of art that taste better than
anything I’ve ever eaten. Mine are ugly little lumps that still taste amazing!
Lavender truffle
Recipe by Isabella Knack
Ingredients:
12 fresh lavender flower heads
1/3 cup heavy cream
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
Ingredients:
12 fresh lavender flower heads
1/3 cup heavy cream
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
Place the flower heads and cream into a small in pot. Heat on
high until cream starts to simmer. Take off heat and set aside to steep 15 minutes.
Divide the chocolate into equal portions, and set one
portion aside.
Heat up the cream again and using a fine-mesh strainer,
strain the cream into the chocolate; discard the flower heads and bits of
lavender.
Stir the cream and chocolate together until smooth. Chill in
the refrigerator until somewhat firm, but not hard, about 1 hour.
Melt the other half of the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments until liquid.
Line a baking sheet with a piece of waxed paper. Roll the
lavender mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized balls, and dip into the melted
chocolate mixture using a skewer or toothpick. Place onto the prepared baking sheet
and chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours to harden.
Thanks Kathy! I can't wait to try these and dive into her latest books. It definitely sounds like a book to be enjoyed with a big box of chocolates nearby! I'm also glad I'm not the only one whose culinaryexperiments end up being tasty but a bit unattractive!
This week I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads
Thanks Kathy! I can't wait to try these and dive into her latest books. It definitely sounds like a book to be enjoyed with a big box of chocolates nearby! I'm also glad I'm not the only one whose culinaryexperiments end up being tasty but a bit unattractive!
This week I'm linking up with Weekend Cooking hosted by Beth Fish Reads
I love culinary cozies! And those truffles sound awesome! And really not difficult to make.
ReplyDeleteMy lavender truffles were delicious, even when I used too many lavender heads. :-)
DeleteI have the first book in this series on my Kindle already and believe I'd better get the second one too. Bookstores and chocolate - what a duo! A lavender truffle - wow. I've eaten other foods that include lavender (such as lavender lemonade) but not ever chocolate. Thanks for sharing this, Katherine! Good luck with your books, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kay! Researching chocolate is a great perk in writing this series!
DeleteI always love these cozy food theme mysteries! Looks like a good book. Thank you for sharing this great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy! I hope you like it!
DeleteThese titles crack me up sometimes.
ReplyDeleteIn a good way? :-)
DeleteI have a great recipe for plain truffles, and though they take a bit of time, they are SO worth it!
ReplyDeleteThe time goes back fast when you can taste test along the way. :-)
DeleteWhat fun! Not sure about lavender as a flavour. Cheers from Carole's Chatter!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure either until I tried them in the store. Unique and delicious!
DeleteSounds like a great cozy and yummy chocolate. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Stormi! I've been told it's good to have chocolate in the house while reading it. :-)
DeleteMmmmm... Truffles.
ReplyDelete#truth Books and chocolate are two of the best things in the world.
I hope you enjoy the book when you get around to it.
I agree Brittany!
DeleteHmmmm I wouldn't mind trying one if someone made it for me :D I love the title of this book Looks like a fun read :D
ReplyDeleteI agree Anna! I'm not much of a chef but making chocolates is fun!
DeleteOh like you said chocolates, bookstore and murder, what more do we need! Recipe sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Trish! I hope you like it!
DeleteSorry! Not sure how to fix that unless you can try another device?
ReplyDeleteBooks, chocolate, and mystery sounds right up my alley; I will have to check out this series! The lavender truffles sound delicious but I have no idea where to find fresh lavender... OTOH, it looks like that truffle recipe could easily be adapted to some other flavor. Fresh mint, maybe, or even orange peel. Oh, dear, there go my diet plans! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI used dried lavender that I found at a Williams-Sonoma and it worked great. Mint or orange peel sound great too!
DeleteI hope you like the series!