Valentine’s Day is Upon Us . . . get out the Chocolate!

Like many typical American women, I grew up loving Valentine’s Day!  I find that I don’t make such a big deal about it anymore now, but I still recognize it.  (Come on guys, I wouldn’t lie to you.)  In all honestly, just after Valentine’s Day is my wedding anniversary and the anniversary of the day my husband and I had our first date.  So it’s not like I’m going to get 3 gifts anyway!

In preparation for the holy of holies – I have decided to share some of my chocolate-lovers recipes with you.  The first here today, is basically a repost with a new name.  Really easy to make.  Afiyet Olsun!

 Orange Chocolate Lovers’ Truffles 

What better way to treat your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day than with a box of homemade chocolates!  This recipe is from a fellow expat, an Austrian living in Philadelphia.  It’s so easy that her 3-year-old daughter made it better than I did!

100 g. powdered confectioner’s sugar
2 egg yolks – room temperature
50 g. butter – room temperature
Rind from 1 orange
300 g. unsweetened chocolate bars (I use 70% or more real cocoa chocolate bars – like Lindt or Ulker)
Unsweetened powder cocoa
3 TBSP of dark tea (a tablespoon is approximately the size of a soup spoon)

In a bowl, blend the sugar, yolks, and butter until smooth. Add the tea and stir until smooth.  Add the orange rind. In another bowl, microwave the chocolate bars until smooth. Be sure to melt it approximately 20-30 seconds at a time and stir in between so that it does not overcook. (or use the double-boiler method.)  Add the mixture to the chocolate. Pour into candy molds or spread a thin layer on a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil – about 1/4 inch thick. Refrigerate.  After it’s cool, pop the candy from the mold – or cut the thin layer into squares. Roll the chocolate in the powdered cocoa before serving.  Decorate a small box with red paper and hearts, line with parchment, and you have a lovely gift!

Tips:

• You can also use a double-boiler to melt the chocolate
• It’s only considered a “truffle” if you use a candy mold.  Silicone molds are the easiest.  They are hard to find in Turkey, but easy to find online.  Search for “SİLİKON ÇİKOLATA KALIBI”.  The silicone ice cube trays that can be found in most malls are a bit too deep.
• If using silicone, do not grease the mold.  Follow manufacturer instructions for other molds.
• When selecting an orange, appearance is not important.  Make sure it smells good.

Happy Valentine’s Day!