A Valentine's Treat: Dark Espresso Balsamic Truffles
2 TBSP The Spicy Olive's Espresso Dark Balsamic Vinegar
10 oz. high quality 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetned condensed milk, 14 ounces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
In a microwave safe bowl, combine all ingredients except cocoa
and stir. Microwave 1 minute. Stir and microwave an additional 30 seconds. remove from microwave, stir and set aside.
Prepare an 8x8 inch pan, greased and lined with waxed paper. Make sure the wax paper extends over the side of the 8x8 pan.
Pour mixture in pan and refrigerate for 2 hours. When firm but moldable, scoop out a small portion with a teaspoon and shape into small balls the size of a large cherry. Set on waxed paper.
Place cocoa powder in a shallow bowl and roll truffles in the powder until well coated. Set on waxed paper until ready to serve.
Raspberry, Strawberry, Coconut or Dark Chocolate balsamic would also be delicious in this recipe for a variation if you do not like coffee.
The truffles could also be dipped in melted chocolate to coat instead of rolling in cocoa powder. For a taste treat try adding a little Blood Orange olive oil (1-2 teaspoons) to the melted chocolate and dip the truffles for an orange flavor!
The Spicy Olive's Orange Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Sift together:
1&3/4 cups all purpose flour
2&1/2 tsp. double acting baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
Blend until creamy:
1/3 cup The Spicy Olive's Blood Orange olive oil
2/3 cup sugar
2-3 tsp. water
Beat in:
1 beaten egg
1&1/2 cup ripe banana pulp
Add sifted ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3 equal parts. Fold in 1/3 cup broken walnut pieces(optional) and 1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels. Place in a greased bread pan and bake in a 350 degree ovne for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The Spicy Olive's Cranberry Pear Gorgonzola Cheese Salad
This is one of our most popular salads and since the Vinaigrette ingredients are the flavors of the month I thought it would be good to feature this recipe:
1 package mixed field greens
2 ripe pears or a 1/2 cup Craisins or both
1/4 cup chopped wlanuts
5 oz. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Place field greens in salad bowl, top with Gorgonzola cheese, pears and walnuts.
Dressing:
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive's Blood Orange olive oil
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive's Cranberry Pear balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Whisk together vinegar and oil and pour over salad. Toss until evenly coated and serve. Enjoy!
