Virtual Bridal SHower for Nithya - Chocolate Truffles

There are very few moments as cherished, as beautiful as the day you embark the new journey of life. Holding someone's hand, with dreams in heart and sparkle in the eyes. The day she started dreaming for, even before she knew its’ meaning. The day she has visualized so many times, that by now every detail is clearly itched in her mind. Yes the day a girl becomes a bride, is like no other.

Very soon one of our friends, a great blogger and a gifted photographer, is going to live her dream. And since I'm sure you read the header before reading this, you all know who am I talking about...Yes Nithya of 4thsensecooking is getting married this November.

Thanks to the world of connectivity, distances have become a lesser shortcoming. Though nothing can reclaim the joy of celebration in person. Yet in absence of actually being with her during her most joyous period..here we are all, united, to wish her all the best. So today we are throwing this virtual bridal shower for Nithya to express our happiness and celebrate with her.

And what could be a better way to celebrate than with food, the subject, the emotion that binds us all...So we decided to cook it up, literally and that too Nithya's own dishes from her own blog - 4thsensecooking. Hope she likes the recreation of her own favouite dishes and gets a taste of it through the world wide wide.

Cheers...This is for you Nithya and for all those visiting this virtual bridal shower!!

The above writeup is by Anamika -Thanks girl for such a brilliant idea... Loved the process and will cherish every moment for long.... :)

There couldn't be a better day to have this party as today is the third birthday for my lovely daughter....

Happy B'day Laya.... My Sweet Heart..:)

Here comes my contribution for this "Virtual Party". I have to tell you that I had a tough time selecting a recipe for this party. I browsed and browsed her website and decided on none as there are so many yummy recipes in her blog..

Then I started watching "Barefoot Contessa" on Food Network and there she was making chocolate truffles. Then the lightening struck, I saw this same sought of recipe in her blog..... "Chocolate Truffles" it is..:)

I tweeked the recipe a little bit. I omitted the butter and used only two types of ingredients for rolling the truffles.

This recipe doubles up as wonderful edible gifts and you need something like this for the festive season which is coming up.... very easy and very tasty..:)

Before going to the recipe : "Congrats Nithya and Wish U a Very Happy Married Life..:)"

Milk chocolate chips : 100gms.
Dark chocolate chips : 100 gms.
Double cream: 120 ml.
Instant coffee powder: 1 tbsp.
Hot water: 1 and 1/2 tbsp.
Skinless peanuts: a handful
Dessicated coconut: 3 tbsp.
Icing sugar: 2 tbsp.

1.Put the two types of chocolate chips in a bowl. Stir the coffee powder in the hot water and keep aside. Dry roast the skinless peanuts and roughly crush them.
2.Pour the double cream in a small sauce pan. Bring to very gentle simmer and remove from heat.
3.Pour the warm cream into the bowl in which the chocolate chips are kept.
4.Gently stir so that all the chocolate chips are melted. If the chips are not melted even after 5 minutes, then melt the chocolate by double boiling method [See notes for explanation]
5.Once melted, remove from heat and add the dissloved coffee decoction. Stir well and let it cool to room temperature.
6.Once cooled, divide the mixture equally into two bowls.
7.Add 1 tbsp of crushed peanuts in one bowl and add 1 tbsp of dessicated coconut in another. Mix well and cover with cling film.

8.Refrigerate for a couple of hours.
9.In a tray spread the crushed peanuts. In a small bowl mix the dessicated coconut and icing sugar and spread this on another tray.
10.Scoop teaspoon size dollops from the truffle mix. Shape into balls.
11.Roll the peanut truffle in the peanut crumble and coconut truffle in the coconut-icing sprinkle.
12.Arrange on a plate and refrigerate until serving time.

Note: Double boiling method: Place a small vessel filled with 100-150 ml water. Bring to a boil and simmer. Place a glass bowl with chocolate chips on the vessel which fits the mouth of the vessel perfectly. Stir until the choclate has melted. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the simmering water,otherwise the chocolate will harden.

Variations are numerous for this recipe. I added crushed peanuts and dessicated coconut to the truffles as it gives a lovely bit to the truffles which is otherwise quite smooth. You can completely omit this step.

You can add orange liquer and 1/2 tsp of chopped orange peel, hazel liquer,  mint / rose / pineapple flavourings or essesnce to the truffle.

A variety of nuts can be used to roll the truffle - chopped almonds, hazelnut, walnuts, cashew or pistachio.

Party is also being hosted at so many of my lovely blogger friends...:)

Anamika Arun - Taste Junction
Archana - Mad Scientist's Kitchen
Krithi - Krithi's Kitchen
Priya Mitharwal - Mharo Rajasthan Recipes
Priya Mahadeven - Priya's Now Serving
Priya Suresh - Priya Easy N Tasty Recipes
Priya Sreeram - Bon Appetit
Radhika - Tickling Palates
Vardhini - Zesty Palette
Sanjeeta - Different Strokes

I enjoyed cooking for this party immensely. I hope you guys enjoyed as well... Now don't go away before checking out what other blogger friends have cooked for this virtual party...:) Every recipe is as tasty as it appears..

Enjoy...


Scribbled by Reva