With the news that chocolate has health properties chocolate lovers felt free to indulge in one of the world's most popular tastes, but there were discoveries about chocolate that went beyond sprinkling chips into cookies. The American palate had awakened, and our awareness of fine quality chocolate had grown ever more sophisticated, establishing Ghirardelli as one of the finest chocolatiers. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook, "...invites you to use this book to experiment with the different grades and flavors of chocolate, from extra bitter to creamy milk chocolate."
With a brief and informative history as well as a chocolate primer that advises on the storage and use of chocolate, you are ready to try recipes that use chocolate in new ways as well as traditional ways. No chocolate book could be without cookie recipes and these are the most mouth watering, recipes for Ultimate Double Chocolate Cookies, Black and White Macaroons, and Double Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti. If it's brownies that you love, try Peppermint Brownies, Chocolate Caramel Brownies or Classic Blondies. Experiment with white chocolate in Cherry and White Chocolate Brownies.
Chocolate is our favorite in cakes and there are fifteen recipes for cupcakes and cakes alone. Among them you'll find Chocolate-Almond Cheesecake, White Chocolate Peppermint Cake, a classic German Chocolate Cake, even a Flourless Chocolate Torte with Dark Chocolate Glaze.
There are recipes in the category of "Chocolate Pies, Tarts and Other Spectacular Desserts," and spectacular is the key word here. Who could resist the Ultimate Chocolate Fondue, a Chocolate Pecan Pie or Chocolate Raspberry Tartlet, a Chocolate Ganache Tart. And if spectacular is not enough you can have your chocolate in muffins and breads, as well as waffles and crepes for breakfast, or find recipes to sip, such as "Anything-but-Boring Chocolate Drinks" such as a Grown-Up Hot Chocolate with a little amaretto or a Dark Chocolate Raspberry Shake.
There are enticing color photos throughout by Leigh Beisch. Ghirardelli has included a Glossary of chocolate terms and a section on Entertaining with Chocolate.
About Ghirardelli: The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is one of the leading manufacturers of premium chocolate in America. Incorporated in 1852, it is also the oldest continually operating company in the business. Ghirardelli has 13 retail stores nationwide, and its chocolate is available at grocery stores, gourmet shops, and housewares chains across the country.
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