3 delicious recipes with chocolate to sweeten your day
It's very difficult to find a person who doesn't like chocolate... quite the contrary, it's easier to find people who call themselves "chocoholics" and have an addiction to this delight. Used worldwide, it is an important part of the food industry, in addition to playing a fundamental role in the economies of many countries around the world.
Cocoa is born from the cocoa tree, a common tropical plant, found in Brazil that has very favorable places for cultivation, mainly in the regions of Espírito Santo and in the south of Bahia, Ilhéus.
Brazil is the largest producer of chocolate in Latin America and is one of the largest countries alongside Ivory Coast, Ghana and Ecuador.
But do you know how and where it came from? In addition to these answers, in this article we will also bring some curiosities. Continue reading and enjoy!
What's the history of chocolate?
Reports say that the first people ate chocolate around 1500 BC, they were members of the Olmec civilization, where Mexico and Guatemala are today. Later, Mayans and Aztecs, native to the same region, developed the tradition of drinking chocolate, a product considered sacred.
The seeds were roasted and mixed with delicacies such as chili, a fermented corn base and spices, which resulted in a very different flavor than what is known today. On religious festivals, roasted cocoa was served with spices and honey.
It is due to the trade of the Spanish conquerors that chocolate reached Europe and ended up spreading around the world. Originally, it was considered a special food for its healthy eating and energy value and only women, priests and nobles ate it at Catholic Church services. Around 1700 "Chocolate Houses" began to compete with "Coffee Houses" in London.
Chocolate as we know it started to change when it arrived in Europe after the Spanish ruled over the Mayan people and brought it to the European region. Gradually, the candy began to explode, gradually changing into the product we know today.
Facts about chocolate
1. The Swiss consume about 10 kg of chocolate per year;
2. During the 16th century in Europe, chocolate was considered a medicine. It could be recommended for cases of fever and even stomach pains;
3. To make just 1/2 kg of chocolate, more than 400 cocoa beans are needed;
4. Chocolate melts at a very low temperature, lower than our body temperature, about 35º C;
5. The best way to store chocolate is to keep it in a cool, dry place. A chocolate bar should not be stored in the refrigerator at all;
6. White chocolate only contains cocoa butter, sugar and milk;
7. He can be fatal for dogs!
Chocolate is good!
First, it's important to clarify: chocolate is good for health, yes! Dark chocolate, low in sugar, pure and rich in cocoa is the best, as it has many antioxidants and good nutrients found in it, as well as flavonoids.
Flavonoids are known to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and low levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in addition to many other benefits.
Other benefits are associated with chocolate, such as good mood, improved concentration, digestive aid and greater energy and disposition for those who eat it.
3 recipes that use chocolate
For chocoholics reading this, we've selected 3 amazing and easy-to-make recipes with chocolate as the main ingredient. See and do it at home!
1- Chocolate Truffle Cake:
Ingredients
Pasta
4 eggs;
1 cup (tea) sugar;
1 and a half cup (tea) of warm whole milk;
2 cups (tea) wheat flour;
1 cup (tea) of chocolate powder;
1 tablespoon (soup) of baking powder;
Stuffing and Topping
1 tablet of milk chocolate (500g);
100 g of butter;
1 can of cream milk;
4 tablespoons of brandy;
Assembly
4 tablespoons of brandy;
1 tablespoon (soup) of water;
Chocolate powder for sprinkling.
Method of preparation
Pasta
In a mixer, beat the eggs until they double in volume, then add the sugar and beat some more. Decrease the speed of the mixer and gradually add the milk.
Turn off and gently mix the wheat flour, Chocolate Powder and baking powder, until smooth.
Pour into a round mold (24 cm in diameter) greased with butter and sprinkled with wheat flour and place in a preheated medium oven (180°C) for about 40 minutes.
Cut the still warm cake in half and set aside.
Stuffing and Topping
Make chocolate shavings with 100g of the bar and set aside. Chop the rest of the chocolate and heat it in a bain-marie.
Add the butter and milk cream and mix until it forms a homogeneous mass. Add 2 tablespoons brandy, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Assembly
On a plate, place half of the cake, moisten with the remaining brandy mixed with water and spread the chocolate truffle filling.
Decorate with the reserved chocolate zest and finish with the chocolate powder.
two- Italian straw:
Ingredients
Base Revenue
1 condensed milk (can or box) 395 g;
3 spoons (soup) of chocolate powder;
1 tablespoon butter
13 broken cornstarch biscuits (80 g);
Method of preparation
In a pan, mix condensed milk, chocolate powder and butter. Take to the low fire, always stirring, until you detach from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes).
While the brigadeiro is still warm, mix the cookies. Spread in a small refractory (15 x 15 cm), greased with butter, and let it cool.
After very cold, cut into squares and place them in paper cups. Serve.
3- Tart
Ingredients
Basis
200 g unsalted butter;
1 cup (tea) sugar;
1 can of cream milk;
300 g cornstarch biscuits;
½ cup (tea) of whole milk;
Roof
1 can of cream milk;
150 g semisweet chocolate.
Method of preparation
Basis
In a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until you form a whitish cream. Gently mix in the cream and set aside.
In a square refractory container (21 cm x 21 cm), make a layer of biscuits soaked in milk and place a layer of cream on top. Repeat the layers, finishing with the cream.
Refrigerate for about 4 hours.
Roof
In a saucepan over a bain-marie, heat the cream, add the chopped bittersweet chocolate and stir until obtaining a smooth and homogeneous cream.
Spread the topping over the pie, return to the fridge to freeze a little and serve next.
Get to know RememBR
And then, you're dying for a little chocolate now, right?! That's why RememBR exists, all the ingredients we talk about here can be found on our website.
Click here and check it out right now! Don't forget to buy products that will remind you of our beloved Brazil.