When I was a child, my father used to make an ice rink in the back yard. He’d pile us onto the toboggan and pull us around to flatten the snow. Then, night after night, he’d zip up his navy blue snowmobile suit and disappear into the dark. When he came back in, his mittens would be coated in ice and his nose and cheeks would be bright red. The fix? Hot chocolate.
When the rink was finally ready, after what seemed like weeks, mom would lace up our skates, stuff us into an envelope of winter wear and send us out to slip and slide the afternoon away. We’d return with numb toes and ice-encrusted lashes. The cure? Hot chocolate.
Today, as I face yet another snow shovel, I find myself craving this drink — only a grown up version. As luck would have it, Dominique and Cindy Duby, chocolate artisans from Vancouver, have released a new book focusing entirely on chocolate. And their hot chocolate recipe is a raspberry version. And raspberry is the only chocolate flavour my lemon-loving dad likes. So I figure this was meant to be. I had to try it.
The resulting hot chocolate is more like a liquid truffle. It’s basically a ganache recipe served over toasted marshmallows. I added a very adult splash of Framboise to mine. A mere demitasse will do you. Sip it. Savour it. And feel the warmth creep back into your toes.
To fend off the remains of winter, I’m giving away a copy of Chocolate, More than 50 Decadent Recipes (Whitecap 2009) by Dominique and Cindy Duby. Like their previous book, Creme Brulee, this small cookbook offers inspiring recipes and tips on achieving professional results in a home kitchen. The Duby’s provide crucial information about ingredients and techniques while their photos turn food into art. I’m not sure whether to bow at their feet or sell my camera. Not only did the Duby’s make each of these exquisite looking dishes, they took all the food photos as well.
But be warned. Chocolate is for serious chocolate fans– not so much because its sole focus is on chocolate, but because some of the dishes and garnishes require planning, can’t be rushed or call for multiple recipes. For example, while the Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Pate reduces most special occasion cakes to the status of a boxed mix, you need to make Dark Chocolate Mousse, Dark Chocolate Sauce and Chocolate Sugar Bark before embarking on the cake.
Scared? Don’t be. Not all the recipes are challenging or time consuming. Citrus Milk Chocolate Crunch, Dark Chocolate Banana Jam and Milk Chocolate Caramel Spread take less than half an hour.
Think you’re up to the chocolate challenge? To enter, leave a comment answering the following: Do you like your chocolate dark, milk or white? Or when it come to chocolate are you colour-blind?
I’ll announce the winner next Monday.
In the meantime, here’s the recipe for the most decadent hot chocolate on Earth.
Raspberry Dark Hot Chocolate
Excerpted with permission from Chocolate: More than 50 Decadent Recipes by Dominique & Cindy Duby. Published by Whitecap Books, 2009.
Serves 6
- 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) fresh or frozen raspberries
- 3.6 oz (100 g) 70% dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 cup (250 mL) whipping cream
Garnish
- 24–36 mini marshmallows
- 6–12 fresh raspberries
- To make raspberry purée, purée fresh raspberries or thawed frozen raspberries in a food processor, then strain out the seeds using a fine-mesh sieve. You’ll need 1 cup (250 ml) of raspberry puree.
- Place chocolate in a tall, narrow container. Bring raspberry purée and whipping cream to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate. Blend with an immersion blender until well combined and frothy. Place a few pieces of marshmallow in each heatproof serving glass and lightly caramelize using a blowtorch. Top with 1 or 2 fresh raspberries per glass. Pour hot chocolate on top and serve at once.
Ice skates photo © Rob Lee. Published under a Creative Commons license.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate photo courtesy Whitecap.
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{ 111 comments… read them below or add one }
As much as I wish I was a chocolate connoisseur, I really prefer milk and even white chocolate to the dark stuff!
I am a dark chocolate fan. Milk chocolate is OK in small doses, but tends to be too sweet and cloying. I prefer the slight bitterness of dark chocolate. As for “white chocolate” – don’t get me started. It’s just wrong. And an oxymoron.
Dark please. And plenty of it.
Dark dark dark! I don’t consider white chocolate to be chocolate.
Gosh, I don’t know if I am *serious* enough about chocolate to get use book. Though I can think of several people in my life who are.
For me, it is dark. I will eat milk chocolate in a pinch but I will just as often decline. Wouldn’t touch the white stuff.
.-= Katerina´s last blog ..Ribollita Recipe (Cabbage and Bean Soup) =-.
For me, dark chocolate satisfies where milk and white cannot. Adding fruit to the mix only heightens the pleasure!
Dark. All dark, all the time. Milk chocolate is for wimps and pretenders.
PS: Reminds me of a time I was in Paris and I ordered a “hot chocolate” in a pastry shop. I never had anything so dark and rich and gloriously dense. It must have been made of neutrons only. Thanks for the flashback!
.-= Daniel @ Casual Kitchen´s last blog ..How to Feel Less Hungry on Fewer Calories: Hacking the Satiety Factor of Foods =-.
I agree with Suzy. White chocolate isn’t really chocolate at all. It has no cocoa mass in it.
Regarding preference, dark chocolate is the only way to go if you are a true chocolate connoisseur or chocoholic – as I am.
And regarding the book, it’s great. Thanks to my friends for giving it to me for Christmas. Haven’t tried the recipe yet, but I agree with Kathleen. Raspberries only enhance the taste of dark chocolate and don’t detract from it at all. Here’s to the chocolate lovers of the world.
I consider myself quite the chocoholic, but I’ve been known to eat chocolate chips out of hand and the gross macaroons of my childhood. And I’m fine with that. By far I prefer dark chocolate, but somedays I want a lighter dark, a milk, and yes, even white. That’s like asking me to pick only one kind of melon or cheese.
.-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Bitaemo =-.
Oh my stars, its made with whipping cream?! That IS decadent! And, no doubt, amazing. Wow, Charmian, just wow!
I’m a confirmed chocoholic too – must be dark or good quality milk for me … never white. Blech!
.-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Recipe for Chicken Burgers with Mushrooms, Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onions =-.
I like dark , then white , but my fave is milk. (with nuts and fruit too!)
You had me at: “The resulting hot chocolate is more like a liquid truffle.” And then you had me even more at: “It’s basically a ganache recipe served over toasted marshmallows.”
May I add frangelico or amaretto to mine instead of framboise? Pretty please? Ask your dad if it’s okay.
.-= Cheryl@5secondrule´s last blog ..Beans =-.
One perfect square of very dark chocolate taken daily preferably at 1pm.
Love that photo! Where did you find such clear ice? We skate on our local pond and the ice freezes so thickly that it’s quite cloudy.
I already have this book and I think it will make the prize winner very, very happy! Good luck to all.
So, as much as I like chocolate, my husband is the serious chocoholic in the family. When we go to visit my parents my Mom always asks if we want anything, and I say, that great dark chocolate for C, to which she replies, I already bought it. How great a husband-mother-in-law relationship is that! My answer is definitely “dark”. Thanks for the chance to win the book, it looks great! Michele
What a great combination of flavors! YUM! I love the photos.
I love chocolate of all kinds! When I was younger, I was allergic to chocolate. I once ate three M&Ms and broke out in hives! White chocolate, not being real chocolate, was the only thing I could eat.
I grew out of the allergy, thank god. But, probably because I could only ever eat the sweetest of the bunch, I prefer milk chocolate to dark. Not that I turn up my nose to any of it!
Charmian, I love chocolate in every way that it can be expressed. I am 100% colour-blind. And I always defend white chocolate to the haters, but I won’t get into all that now.
I think we are in recipe-sync because I couldn’t resist making a decadent chocolate raspberry cake to take to a BBQ on the weekend. It was a rich choc-cake base, with a crown of raspberries and a dark ganache drizzle. I think the flavours go so well together. It was heaven!
I wonder what we’ll make in sync next…?
Deep, dark chocolate…. mmmmm…
When I’m just snacking, I don’t mind eating milk chocolate, but if I’m actually taking the time to savor my chocolate, then it has to be dark.
Mmmm…Chocolate, the darker the better.
love it…super comfort hot drink!!
.-= BNDQ8´s last blog ..Lino’s Coffee – The Frappe’s =-.
Awesome recipe. Can’t wait to make it for me and my MIL (mother in law). We both like white chocolate…no she is saying she loves all chocolate!!!
Definitely Dark Chocolate. Well, that or Cadbury milk chocolate mini-eggs – my little indulgence!
Dark……. Dark….. Dark…….
I like dark but I prefer milk chocolate. I’m not usually a fan of white but at Easter I will sometime enjoy a piece or 2 of a white chocolate rabbit!
I love Milk chocolate. I will eat semi-sweet and some dark. Not so much a fan of white.
I love all kinds of cooking. I have baked with all types and I love them all. I would love to win this cookbook.
I’m a chocoholic but I’d pick dark chocolate as my fave
I love Milk Chocolate!
When it comes to chocolate I’m color blind all I know is Chocolate is Goooood!! Chocolate is actually one of my major food groups and I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t consume chocolate!!! I love to make fancy treats—thanks for the chance to win a magical cook book–and Happy new Year!!!
kakihararocks@gmail.com
Definetly milk!
dark
Dark chocolate
I like milk and white the best. On rare occasions I will dig dark chocolate even too.
I THINK I LIKE WHITE CHOCOLATE BETTER
I love dark chocolate!
I like milk chocolate. Dark chocolate has a bitter taste and I just don’t care for white chocolate.
I love white chocolate and then milk chocolate. I wish I had a taste for dark since it’s better for you but alas…I pick the fatty choices.
I love chocolate in any form but do not consider white chocolate to be true chocolate. It is ok but just not chocolate to me.
I never met anything chocolate that was not an instant love affair. (my guilty secret-I keep a bag of chocolate chips at my desk for instant gratification.
sounds good to me
It has to be dark chocolate for me.
I love all kinds of chocolate – I work at Godiva! My favourite chocolates are layered – dark with milk, milk with white, etc.
Yummy. I like all kinds of chocolate.
Dark. According to my nutritionist, everyone should eat 1oz of at least 83% dark chocolate EVERY DAY. (Have I mentioned how much I love my nutritionist?) This cook book sounds perfect for that!
I like dark chocolate and if it has caramel in it, then I’m in heaven
white is the better mverno@roadrunner.com
I am crazy about milk chocolate.
smchester at gmail dot com
.-= Susan C´s last blog ..My computer was attacked! =-.
I’ll take mine dark, please!
That hot chocolate recipe looks divine!
I prefer dark chocolate to any other kind of chocolate!
I like milk and white chocolate.
I loooooove the taste of milk chocolate!
I ONLY like Milk Chocolate…and can’t get enough of it!
Like all chocolate, but have to make myself eat “white” chocolate. Will not go out of my way to purchase it.
Any kind of chocolate is great!
Any kind, any time, but with some moderation, or I’d be a balloon
I’m color blind when it comes to chocolate – I like all 3 types!!!
Definately milk chocolate!
Chocolate. Charmian, are you poised to make me silly on a Friday afternoon? Now all I can think about is chocolate. (and the Dubys, who are awfully fun people.)
So… do I like chocolate? Yes, a lot. Does it matter what kind? Yes, a lot. Do I want chocolate now because of this post? Yes, a lot. Am I drooling? Yes, a lot.
Dark Chocolate
I love any form of chocolate ….but if I had to pick , the dark would be my first choice…
jackie
jbs3005@aol.com
I love it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love milk chocolate
milk chocolate
I usually like milk chocolate best but sometimes I lieke some of the really good dark chocolate
I like all chocolate, but my favorite is dark.
I only eat dark chocolate….my kids will eat any kind.
I love dark chocolate!
I like my chocolates dark!
.-= snacksgiving´s last blog ..Think Spice -Vanilla =-.
I like ALL chocolate.
I love milk and dark chocolate.
Milk chocolate is my favorite, though I wouldn’t turn down any kind of chocolate!
The preference is the richness of dark chocolate, but, any type will do for a craving!
I love dark chocolate, I like milk chocolate. White chocolate is just candy and I don’t eat it lol Thanks!!
.-= Becca´s last blog ..Six Word Saturday – #16 =-.
I love dark chocolate!
.-= Chrysa ´s last blog ..Free Photo Mousepad from ArtsCow =-.
I really love milk chocolate!
I love dark and sometimes milk
I love love white chocolate!!
I love Chocolate ANY color but my favorite is white chocolate
I’m all about dark chocolate! Mmmm!
.-= Storm´s last blog ..Who’s Your Favorite Housewife? (Giveaway!) =-.
Sounds yummy!
White chocolate is my favorite!
Definitely dark chocolate for me. More flavorful!!
Dark chocolate is my favorite.
I love dark chocolate the best, thanks!
I like milk chocolate best of all.
I love all 3. I don’t have a favorite color of chocolate! Thanks for the contest!
I like all chocolate but white chocolate is my favorite. I know some people dont classify it as real chocolate . . . but im all about the controversy .
I like all of them but dark chocolate is my favorite
I like the dark chocolate.
i like milk chocolate
I love milk chocolate. Great book that I’d love to win. Thanks!
I am a big fan of milk chocolate! I would just love to win this book and try to make some delish chocolate for the hubby! Thanks
I love white chocolate!
I like Milk Chocolate.
Oh my gosh, chocolate, chocolate,chocolate. I like all kinds of chocolate, although I personally have a hard time considering “white” chocolate to be chocolate.
i like all three!
I’m all about the milk chocolate! Love it!
Huge milk chocolate fan, but open to alternatives. Breakfast each morning is hot chocolate made with 2 cups of goat milk. This cook book sounds like the ones from Marcel Desaulniers.
If you prick me, I bleed chocolate! Doesn’t matter what kind, I am open to all – Swiss, Dutch, German, Mexican, dark, white, milk, bittersweet, semi-sweet, unsweetened. There is no dish that can’t be improved with chocolate; I even grate it into my chili while simmering.
Sounds delicious! I love to read and I love all kinds of chocolate treats.
Hi Christine. I find your blog through Julie VanRosendaal’s (she’s my source for all things food related)! Great blog, awesome recipes.
I love chocolate of all kinds as well. I guess I have a preference for dark chocolate but I think thats because I know in my head it has this “good for you” aspect to it and that makes eating it a little more guilt-free!
OOPS!! CHARMIAN! Sorry I got your name wrong! I was fooled by the “Christie’s” Corner!
dark chocolate
I ONLY like milk chocolate. I have tried to like the others, but just cannot do it.
.-= Dani´s last blog ..One Month Later, Five Pounds Heavier, and Four Legs Longer a/k/a My How Our Jersey Girl Has Grown =-.
I love all chocolates – though white is my least favorite.
white is my favorite
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
fancyfeet45@earthlink.net
I LOVE ALL CHOCOLATES!
I WOULD LOVE THIS
BIGDADDYADCOX@YAHOO.COM
I love my chocolate any which way but loose!
)
(Being born in Switzerland, one of the largest chocolate-consumption per capita in the world, I can say it’s in my genes!).
I did not know about this book! I live by the smell and taste of this wonderful elixer. Chocolate is wonderful! It makes every thing right in the world, especially when you have had a bad day…..or even a great day! I am going to go out and get this book asap!
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