A dish made with chocolate? It will surely be a surefire hit. Its exceptional flavor gives richness and depth to both sweet and pungent dishes. Chocolate is a range of raw or processed products that comes from cocoa (cacao), mixed with fat and finely powdered sugar to produce a solid confection. The word believed to have come from an ancient beverage known as xocolātl, a Nahuatl word meaning "bitter water". It is made from the seeds of the cacao and has an intense bitter taste. It was fermented to develop the flavor. Recipes may require semisweet, bittersweet, milk, baking or white chocolate. Semisweet and bittersweet varieties are both considered dark chocolate and can be used interchangeably. The unsweetened ones are also called baking chocolate that consist almost of 100% cocoa solids and taste quite bitter. White chocolate is not chocolate at all because it does not contain any cocoa solids, only cocoa butter mixed with sugar, milk solids and flavorings.
How to cook chocolate? It should not be melted directly over heat. Instead melt it in a double boiler or in a heat proof/container over a saucepan of hot water. While melting, gradually put bits of chocolate and stir continuously with a wooden spoon to avoid forming lumps. You can also melt them in a microwave. Just break them into tiny portions then microwave for 30 seconds, stir then heat again for another 30 seconds. Always be careful in reading the recipe instructions and the chocolate package to fully enjoy indulging in these chocolate recipes.