Savory Chocolates to tingle your taste buds

A sweet is a sweet and is made up of sugar and all things nice and that is what we are familiar with. In India most of us love our traditional sweets  From the Bengali rasgullas dipped in a heavenly cardamom sugar syrup, or the famous Chandni Chowk's delectably crisp jalebis with their delicate saffron flavors oozing tons of ghee and sugar syrup, to the Mysore Pak our own desi version of honeycomb/Hokey Pokey , a heavenly concoction of gram flour, ghee and of course an abundance of sugar, we love them all. Yet the international sweets and dessert scenario is undergoing a big change.

There was a time when a sweet was just "sweet" and a savory was a salty dish and perhaps the twain rarely met. Today the lines are totally blurred and desserts have been invaded by unusual ingredients like salt, miso and wasabi. Even bacon, chicken and kidney beans and many other such savory items are appearing in dessert ingredients lists. This trend of savory ingredients incorporated into sweet dishes has in fact revolutionised the standard sweet dish into something more sophisticated and given it a depth of flavor and added complexity and surprisingly has elevated its sweetness factor to another level.

 This play of the savory on the sweet is a fascinating phenomenon and perhaps the greatest and most popular pairings have been with chocolate.  Spices have already been very successfully coupled with chocolate and this has created interesting and palette tingling combinations. Salt, chili, ginger, and cinnamon have today become commonplace pairings with chocolate but some flavors out there just border on the bizarre side.

You can buy a bar of dark chocolate with wasabi flavour from Lindt (wasabi has a strong horse radish-mustardy flavor, something akin to our mouli!)  If you are a green tea fan then the Matcha green tea chocolate is a must try for you. In the spice section you can now find curry, chipotle and cayenne flavored chocolates to suit your preferred degree of hotness! These are easily available in most chocolate boutiques in the metros.

In case cheese is what you crave then there are a variety of chocolates out there for your satisfaction.  Dark chocolate, cheese, pepper and pear combo is available at Chuao Chocolatier. Although I have not had the pleasure of tasting it, I am told it’s a heavenly combination..  KitKat also has a  Gouda Cheese flavored version which has been specially designed for the Japanese palette.

If you are a confirmed non vegetarian there is the popular bacon flavored chocolate from Vosges Haut Chocolate Mo’s Dark Bacon Bar. You can even buy ant chocolate, yes, yes you heard right.  Ant chocolates are available from Graffiti Zoo Chilean Fire Ants. You may also opt for chocolate covered insects if you wish. Yes I know one has to be a bit adventurous to try these but maybe someday. I have not tasted these but I am guessing ants and insects qualify as savory additions.

Check out these sites for their unusual flavors

http://chuaochocolatier.com/bonbons/bonbon-collections/dark-chocolate.html

http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/

Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen: Liquor:  rum, whiskey, vodka, Irish Cream

Summer collection:   Orange (with real orange marmalade and bits of orange) Caramel with rosemary and a hint of chili Chunky peanut butter robed in dark chocolate Coconut centers with dark chocolate

(Contains no artificial flavorings)

We take corporate orders in Delhi and Dehradun

Contact: 08447598100 email: ritav18@gmail.com ritakitchendehradun@gmail.com

Chocolatey Cocktails

I am back this time with the promised recipes of chocolate based cocktails. So once again it’s a combo of liquor and chocolates…..what could be bad about that! The only prerequisite is a comprehensive bar and the spirit to taste something different from the Screwdrivers, Mojitos and Bloody Marys that we generally indulge in!

Brandy Alexander: Pour into a shaker 30ml Brandy, 30ml Dark Crème de Cacao and 30ml cream with ice cubes. Shake well, strain and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a dusting of nutmeg powder. The combination of a good brandy, cream, chocolate and nutmeg powder creates the perfect drink for a cold winter night. This was in fact the favorite drink of John Lennon.

Another variation of the original Gin Alexander is the Amaretto Alexander. Just pour into a shaker 30ml Amaretto (almond liqueur), 30ml Crème de Cacao and 30ml cream with ice cubes. Shake, strain and pour into a chilled glass. Believe me this combination of the already yummy Amaretto (my favorite liqueur) and the chocolate is definitely made in heaven!

Chocolate Soldier was a very popular (non alcoholic) drink in the 70’s in the U.S made by Monarch Beverage Company in Atlanta.  Many Americans have fond childhood memories of this drink which is no longer available in the market.  The Chocolate Soldier Cocktail is the adult inspired take on the drink!

To make this drink mix together 60ml Cognac and 60ml Dry Vermouth add to it 30ml Dark  Cacao liqueur and a dash of Orange bitters….mix with some ice cubes and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

You can also make the Chocolate Soldier Cocktail with Crème de Cacao, Cognac and grapefruit juice. Mix together 60ml Cognac and 60ml Crème de Cacao with some ice and fill up the glass with grapefruit juice.

For those who prefer a martini a la James Bond style, whether shaken or stirred here are a few variations for rustling up a Chocolate Martini

 For a Mint Chocolate Martini take 60ml Chocolate Vodka, 30ml Crème de Menthe and 30ml Crème de Cacao and some ice in the shaker. Shake well, strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint

If you prefer the taste of vanilla then go for the Vanilla Chocolate Martini which is made of 60ml Vanilla Vodka, 30ml Irish Cream, 30ml Crème de Cacao and 30ml chocolate milk. Shake all with some ice. Take a chilled glass and swirl with some chocolate syrup. Strain and pour your martini into it. Garnish with a vanilla pod as stirrer.

You can also avoid the Vodka and make a Chocolate Martini with 30ml Dark Chocolate Liqueur, 30ml Dark Crème de Cacao and 60ml chocolate milk in the same way and top with a dollop of whipped cream and shavings of dark chocolate.

A twist can be added with 30ml of White Chocolate Liqueur, 30ml Strawberry Liqueur, 30ml Brandy and 60ml condensed milk. Top with a whole strawberry. This cocktail is known as Red Lady.

Golden Cadillac is a combination of 30mlWhite Crème de Cacao, 30ml Galliano (which is a Vanilla Liqueur) and 60ml light dairy cream. Combine with crushed ice and blend on low in the mixer for 10 seconds. Strain and pour into a chilled champagne flute.

I have shared with you some of my recipes for Chocolate based cocktails and martinis, now just mix them up and enjoy with family and friends. CHEERS!!!

Tips to remember: Always measure the liquor correctly otherwise the balance of flavors is disturbed and always strain out the ice and pour into chilled glasses

 Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen: Liquor:  rum, whiskey, vodka, Irish Cream

Summer collection:   Orange (with real orange marmalade and bits of orange) Caramel with rosemary and a hint of chilli Chunky peanut butter robed in dark chocolate Coconut

(Contains no artificial flavorings)

Contact: 08447598100 email: ritav18@gmail.com ritakitchendehradun@gmail.comContact for Diwali gifts and Corporate orders(Delhi & Dehradun)

Chocolate thins....the new rage

Wanted to share with you all something new that we have introduced. Its been just a couple of days and our chocolate and nuts thins are definitely a hit.

And why would n't it be. Dark bitter chocolate liberally strewn with bits of beautifully toasted hazelnuts and a touch of sea salt. Thin, crisp and melt in the mouth. The perfect snack to satiate that chocolate craving  sans the guilt! 

Our Chocolate Thins are available in Almond, Toasted Coconut and of course Hazelnut...coming soon Cranberry and Raisin

Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen: Liquor:  rum, whiskey, vodka, Irish Cream

Summer collection:   Orange (with real orange marmalade and bits of orange) Caramel with rosemary and a hint of chilli Chunky peanut butter robed in dark chocolate Coconut

(Contains no artificial flavorings)

Contact for Diwali gifts and Corporate orders(Delhi & Dehradun)

Contact: 08447598100 email: ritav18@gmail.com ritakitchendehradun@gmail.com

Party with chocolate and wine

Hello I am back as promised with my chocolate and wine pairings

Life in Delhi is a whirlwind of hectic activity, it has become very difficult to catch up with friends, what with the long workdays, and traffic jams in the evenings. On Sundays, everyone is busy recouping from the frenzied week and many of my friends don't wish to take out their cars and navigate the traffic on their day off.  So we were going into a kind of disconnect and the only communication happening for months was restricted to a call or updates on the net.  I was wondering how to make fun evenings happen when I hit on the idea of having chocolate and wine evenings. 

Now we get together after dinner on weekdays at one persons house and have a drinks and chocolate party. No, don’t worry it’s not only chocolates we have savories too which go well with the wines and chocolates. All you have to do is select the chocolates that you wish to serve, find a  wine that goes well with it and add some savory snacks, fruits and cheeses that pair up well with the wine and chocolates. Don’t worry it’s not as difficult as it sounds and I am here to help you out with the pairings so don’t despair! 

Cheese pairs really well with dark chocolate. You can start by creating a cheese platter to go with your chocolates. With a dark chocolate you can add an aged Gouda (which is now easily available in supermarkets in Indian metros) along with Emmentaler (a Swiss cheese) and Blue cheeses. To that platter add   some figs, hazelnuts/pistachios (salted) and berries. You can also try a Monterey Jack with dark chocolate covered cherries. You can pair dark chocolate with a blue cheese and add pine nuts (chilgozas) and grapes. The wines that go well with dark chocolates would be Port, Cabernet, Merlot and Riesling

If you are serving an orange filled milk chocolate and want to pair a dessert with it then best would be a lavender flavoured mini cupcake with a cream cheese frosting. To drink you can serve a stout with it like Haywards Black which is a strong dark colored beer with 8% alcohol and a sweet malty taste.

For a more wholesome snack you can serve Paninis with your choice of fillings and a grate of  Parmesan cheese in it with your dark chocolates. Just cut up the paninis into bite sized wedges. Some ravioli in small ceramic bowls with a mascarpone and balsamic vinegar sauce topped with a sprig of parsley goes well too.

For chocolate with 60% cocoa content you can serve Vin Santo (an Italian dessert wine) with a platter of dried mango bits, coconut macaroons, caramel popcorn and pretzels

With a chocolate that contains 72% cocoa a Cabernet Sauvignon or a cognac would go well. With that you can serve some baguette, toasted almonds and dried fruits such as cherries, figs and raisins.

If you are serving a caramel/toffee filled chocolate then go with a Riesling (dry semi sweet white wine) or Drambui (a scotch whiskey based liqueur) you can pair this with salted peanuts, salt and vinegar chips or a mix of namkeens like Bhujia and Khatta meetha.

Any chocolate which contains sea salt or a hint of herbs and chilli would pair well with Tequila or Vodka. You can also try a stout (dark beer) . To nibble on serve some barbequed potato chips, bacon bits, candied orange peel and dried cherries

Nut chocolates like hazelnut or almond pair well with Port wine and coffee flavored liqueurs. Serve with dried sweet ginger, fresh figs (anjeer) if you can get or biscotti (twice baked almond biscuits)

If you are serving melted chocolate (fondue) then lay out a tray with fresh strawberries, mini cream puffs, small marshmallows and pineapple and banana bits. You can also keep an assortment of nuts with it. Don’t forget to keep lots of skewers for your guests to dip the food in chocolate! Whatever wine you serve with the fondue make sure it has the right acidity to counter the sweetness of the chocolate. A Bordeaux (red wine) would pair well here.

Here is a short list of Indian wines that pair well with chocolate:

Sula -late Harvest Chemin Blanc

Vallonne Vineyards- Vin de Passerillage

Fratelli- Santo

Yorks- late harvest 2013 Vintage

I have given you some ideas but there are no hard and fast rules. It’s fun to experiment and I am sure you and your friends will have fun doing so. Share your experience with me. Who knows we may come up with more pairings that work well!

Until next time Happy Partying and look out for my special cocktails using chocolate!

Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen: Liquor:  rum, whiskey, vodka, Irish Cream

Summer collection:   Orange (with real orange marmalade and bits of orange) Caramel with rosemary and a hint of chilli Chunky peanut butter robed in dark chocolate Coconut

(Contains no artificial flavorings)

We take corporate orders in Delhi and Dehradun

Contact: 08447598100 email: ritav18@gmail.com ritakitchendehradun@gmail.com

The Beginning

The other day I read a quote....'diamonds are not a girl’s best friend but chocolates are' Yes, so true for many of us and specially me! Chocolate has always been my passion. A passion that eventually led to the creation of Handmade Chocolates from Rita's Kitchen. 

My earliest memories of chocolate are of one that my father used to buy for me from Connaught Place. It was a milk chocolate in the shape of a fish and it fascinated me. The chocolate was glossy and the detailed scales of the fish created a beautiful pattern that mesmerized me. I would hold it in my hands and admire it until it would start to melt in my hands and then I would take a bite and savor the silk on my tongue.

When I was twelve we went to Switzerland and I was totally fascinated by the small pieces of chocolates covered beautifully in wrappers depicting the awesome tourist spots in Switzerland. In India, we did not have such luxuries at that time. The variety of chocolates available was limited to Cadbury Dairy Milk till as late as the early 90s when finally Nestle entered the chocolate market in India.

For me chocolate is an integral part of my life. Its about love and passion, it’s to be shared with friends and family, no celebration is complete without chocolate, and when I am down and out chocolate is what warms me up and gives me the energy to face the realities of life. So after many years working in offices doing the normal 9-6,  I finally decided it was time to realise my dream of becoming a chocolatier.  Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen was born thanks to a friends' encouragement. The chocolates in Rita’s Kitchen are prepared with great care using only the freshest ingredients.  Our chocolates are bold and sensuous and ONLY for discerning adults.  See the ticker for information on our flavors. More flavors coming soon.

This blog was started so that I could share my passion with all of you. I know there are enough blogs on chocolate so how will this be different. Well find out for yourself….look out for my ‘Chocolate Party’ (a party with a difference) that you can plan for your friends and for my ‘Killer chocolate cocktail recipes’ that will transport you into a euphoric state

See you soon! 

Chocolates from Rita’s Kitchen: Liquor:  rum, whiskey, vodka, Irish Cream

Summer collection:   Orange (with real orange marmalade and bits of orange) Caramel with rosemary and a hint of chilli Chunky peanut butter robed in dark chocolate Coconut

(Contains no artificial flavorings)

Contact: 08447598100 email: ritav18@gmail.com ritakitchendehradun@gmail.com

Our chocolates are available in Dehradun and Delhi (we take corporate orders)