Sweet Valentine

THE BEST WAY

What is the best way to your loved one’s heart?

What is the best way to instantly make his/her entire mind-body-soul resound with the magic of love?

It’s been scientifically proven that after the eyes the body organ that gives us maximum pleasure are the taste buds.

Just imagine the impact it would have, if you combine both visual appeal with taste buds stimulation.

This Valentine’s Day make sure your valentine doesn’t fall but skydive in your love.

I thought of sharing a few techniques with you, how the art and science of culinary satisfaction can be used to greatly enhance your Valentine Day.

CHILLY MOUSSE 

A great way to start the sweet Valentine Evening... A pinch of “right spirits” to set the tone for love filled evening.

Ingredients 

2 green chillies chopped without the seeds

25 g powder sugar

30 ml vodka

400 gm heavy whipping cream

170 g white chocolate,

chopped 5 gm Gelatine

6 tab cold water 

Method 

1.Chop chillies add the sugar and vodka,and stir until sugar

2.Microwave half the cream and chocolate until you get a smooth paste for about one minute

3.In a bowl whip the rest of the cream to soft peaks.

Fold into melted chocolate mixture,add chilly mixture.Melt gelatine and strain into mousse.

4.Let the mixture set for 5 mins in a cool place pipe of pour over the cake

5.Decorate with chopped strawberries and serve to your Bitter,Sweet & Spicy 

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE! 

A perfect blend bitter and sweet tastes and textures. It symbolizes the promise and power of love to stand by each other in good and bad times. The aphrodisiac effect of the chocolate adds fire to the evening, setting the mood for a lively, naughty and fun filled Valentines time.

Ingredients 

120 ml water

150 gm white sugar

500 gm bittersweet chocolate (Lindt singles are good too!)

225 gm butter 6 eggs 

Method 

1.Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).Grease one 10 inch round heart shaped pan and set aside.

2.In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the water and sugar.Stir until completely dissolved and set aside.

3.In a microwave melt the bittersweet chocolate.Pour the chocolate into the bowl of an electric mixer.

4.Cut the butter into pieces and beat the butter into the chocolate,1 piece at a time.Beat in the hot sugarwater.Slowly beat in the eggs,one at a time.

5.Pour the batter into the prepared pan.Have a pan larger than the cake pan ready,put the cake pan in the larger pan and fill the pan with boiling water halfway up the sides of the cake pan.

6.Bake cake in the water bath at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 45 minutes.The centre will still look wet.

Chill cake overnight in the pan.To unmould,dip the bottom of the cake pan in hot water for 10 seconds and invert onto a serving plate.

CHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE

Make him/her go nuts over you.  Let the cocoa and walnut be your tools to express the depth of emotions for  your one. The cocoa represents the exotic fun in your relationship, while the walnut showcases your resilience, determination and trust to stand tough against the tides of time, always with a soft and warm heart.

Ingredients 

300 gm flour

1 tsp baking powder

300 gm sugar

4 eggs

250 ml milk

75 gm Unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

200 gms walnuts finely chopped

125 ml sunflower oil Icing sugar for decoration Pinch of salt 

Preparation 

1.Preheat oven to 180C,then butter and flour a 28cm round cake tin.

2.Sieve the flour,salt,and baking powder into a bowl and mix well.

3.In a different bowl,beat the sugar and eggs together.

Slowly incorporate the flour, adding the milk a little at a time to keep mixture moist.

Sieve in the cocoa powder and the cinnamon,stir in the walnuts,and finally mix in the oil until the batter is well mixed and smooth.

4.Pour batter into prepared cake tin and bake for 40 45 mins.Let it cool and serve dusted with icing sugar and a cinnamon stick.

(inspired by Mumbai Mirror, perfected by The cilantro Kitchen)