Look out for it…promise to entertain! ๐
My next one…
My Top 5 Easy-Peasy Chocolate Delights
You know what I find really difficult? Itโs keeping up with a recipe and especially those ones that go into 3-4 pages, or with difficult-to-source ingredients, or are just overly-complicated! I don’t think I could compete on “MasterChef”…forget it :)!
I love keeping things simple so naturally I go for easy recipes as well, that create just as stunning a dish within a couple of minutes. That said, something else that we don’t have the luxury of is “time“… we donโt really have all the time in the world now do we?
So here are my top 5 Easy-Peasy Chocolate Delights. Some I sourced online, while others were handed down to me or shared. If you are as lazy as me when it comes to baking, yet to the one eating your chocolaty dishโฆyou are going to look like an absolute pro! Promise they taste divine!
Here goes and “Happy Baking”
- Home-made Chocolate Ice-cream
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Method
- Whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and sugar to combine. The sugar and cocoa should completely dissolve. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract
- Refrigerate the chocolate ice cream base for at least 30 minutes before putting it in your freezer, so it is completely cold. (This will help it freeze faster, improve the texture, and allow the cocoa powder to be fully hydrated by the milk and cream)
- Give the ice cream base one more gentle stir and freeze
Store your ice cream in an air-tight container, to help preserve its flavour and texture!
2. Simple Dark Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
200g dark chocolate
200g butter
225g sugar
5 eggs
2 tsp. of flour
Method
- Melt the butter and chocolate. Mix in the sugar. Crack in the eggs one at a time and mix. Add the flour, mix
- Cook at 180C for 25-30mins
*Thank you ‘Margot’ for this delight!
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
125g butter
ยฝ cup brown sugar
ยฝ cup caster sugar
ยฝ tsp. vanilla essence
1 egg
1ยพ cups self-raising flour
ยฝ tsp. salt
ยฝ cup chocolate chunks or chips
Method
- Preheat oven to 180ยฐC or 160ยบC (fan) and grease or line two baking trays with baking paper
- Beat butter, brown sugar, caster sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy, add egg and beat until mixed
- Sift in flour and salt, mix until combined before stirring in the chocolate chunks or chips
- Roll heaped teaspoon sized balls of mixture and place on tray, press down lightly with a floured fork. Bake for approx. 12 minutes
4. Chocolate Molleux Cake
Ingredients
ยฝ cup white sugar
ยผ cup brown sugar
ยฝ cup flour
A pinch of salt
ยฝ cup butter, softened
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Method
- Preheat oven to 160ยฐC
- Line a muffin pan with paper baking cups or use any individual moulds that you have. If you are using ramekins, brush the insides with melted butter
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugars, flour, salt and eggs and stir briskly until mixed. Put the butter and chocolate in a double boiler and melt, stirring frequently until melted. Let cool slightly and pour into the first mixture and beat until blended. Stir in the vanilla
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pans, filling half full. Bake for about 15 minutes, but don’t over-bake. Remove from oven and turn out onto a cooling rack
5. Easiest Choco Mousse
Ingredients
200g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
3 large eggs, separated
50g caster sugar
softly whipped cream, to serve (optional)
Method
- Place the chocolate and 120ml of water in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of just simmering water โ the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water. Heat gently, stirring, until the chocolate is melted
- Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly, then stir in the egg yolks with a wooden spoon until well combined
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites with the sugar until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the chocolate mixture
- Spoon the mousse into individual dishes and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Top with softly whipped cream (optional)
Recommendations:
Most of these recipes are simple enough to do the whisking by hand, but what I use, and what makes it so much more easier is investing in a good hand mixer like the one shown below. It is so handy to have around and an extremely good buy!
KitchenAid – Ultra Power Hand Mixer
Thanks for joining me. Stay tuned for more of my upcoming lists and articles, especially for my follow-up articles around “Chocolate”. See you soon!
BY CHRISELDA BARRETTO
Check out more projects by Chriselda Barretto :
Review of my book – “Must Love Poetry”
Chriselda Barretto
Independently Published (2019)
ISBN 9789463881104
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views
โMust Love Poetry,โ by Chriselda Barretto is an eclectic collection of topics expressed in well written poetry. Topics range from Nature, Spirituality, the Universeโฆyou name it and it is within these pages in some shape, or form. When I first saw that this poetry collection was 290 pages, I hesitated a little as this collection had only one author and other poetry books I have read of this size were always multi-author anthologies. I decided to read it like I read the anthologiesโฆin different sittings without paying attention to the table of contents. I found that although I could identify the authorโs voice in all the poems, each poem felt totally different than the next one. Each one was well written โ some free style, some rhyme more than others, all spoke of different topics, and each expressed a distinct feel. Some of my favorites, to name a few, (although I loved the entire repertoire) are: โSoar,โ โFrom Mother to Son,โ โThe Statue and The Tower,โ โMind Me,โ and the one that really stayed with me, โDark Pearl.โ
Barretto has mastered multiple forms of poetry, but her talent of expression is what impressed me the most. To be able to share feelings and provoke thoughts about such a range of topics in one collection is remarkable. I liked the fact that she presented her work in no apparent sequence. This always kept me curious, wondering what the next one would be about, and how it would affect my mind and heart. Would it linger in my thoughts? Would it touch a moment within my life? Would it be about something I havenโt even thought about? Below is a short example to show how the authorโs work is not only mind and heart stimulatingโฆbut also visually.
โDishonest
Living in an age
of dishonesty
Surviving a rage
of pre-occupational hazardry
Collect your thoughts
and reinforce your mental imagery
For this world is the biggest asset
of evolution for humanity!โ
I loved โMust Love Poetryโ by Chriselda Barretto and consider it a five-star book of poetry for this era. Definitely a must-read for all poetry lovers!
Are you ready….for chocolate?
A Friday Quote!
Artist Feature #5 – Natasha Lalla
About Natasha Lalla
Natasha Lalla has been painting for over two decades. She has developed a distinct style of her own, which involves painting with her fingers. The artist has never owned a paintbrush and makes use of vivid colours to create stunningly abstract pieces that unleash a host of creative and universal energies.
Natasha’s use of colour and her unique style of painting is unmatched. She has a deep understanding of how colours impact one’s overall sense of well-being!
In the Artist’s own words: “Colours have healing properties and the method of treatment that uses the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to cure diseases is called chromo therapy. A centuries-old concept used successfully over the years.”
Hello Natasha, could you tell our readers a little bit about who you are?
I do not know where to begin about my journey. I think it started as a child. I just knew I was different and my unconscious would reveal to me what I should do and as I grew up I just learnt to trust it totally. Complete surrender is what gives me this unique gift to do what I do. I have had no formal training in art but just a love for it since childhood.
I have never been a religious person but a spiritual being. I also believe there are no coincidences in life.
Tell us about your art style or process?
My canvas is my smorgasbord where I unleash a host of creative and universal energies.ย Abstraction in acrylic is what I derive in my paintings which to a lame-eye can be summed up as exuberant harvests of blending colours and finger strokes.ย
Where does your inspiration come from?
Painting in free form, stream of consciousness is a form of artistic meditation that reflects the style. I have a unique way of reflecting spiritual and sublime experiences by expressing images from my subconscious onto canvas by swirling finger strokes.
Natasha, are there other artists/role-models or books that have played a key role on your artistic journey?
Kandinsky, one of the first abstract painters, was keenly interested in colour in art and developed many theories on the properties of colour in art and how they are best used. Many traditions and cultures, such as Chinese, Ayurvedic, Theosophist and ancient Greek and Egyptians believe in the healing power of colours, based on the effect their vibrations have on the body and mind. I have a vivid use of colours.
My gallerist and curator Jalpa H. Vithalani draws a parallel of my art style to be something on the lines of the famed artist Rassoulli; whose work has been quoted as โThe little realities we canโt see or the art that dancesโฆ without dancersโ.
Wow! That is an impressive comparison. How did you learn/acquire this technique?
My technique is completely self taught and it keeps evolving.
How has art impacted your life?
For me painting is a form of artistic meditation. I feel it is important for people to see the artist through the works. Painting centres me and bring peace and balance into my life.
The recent most exciting development, was that Cosmic Heart Gallery was invited to participate in Art Bahrain Across Borders, Bahrainโs International Art Fair. This was under The Patronage of Her Royal Highness, Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife Of His Majesty The King Of Bahrain. Cosmic Heart Gallery was one of the 16 international galleries which had a presence.
My gallerist chose to commemorate the work of two Indian artists at this prestigious exhibition and I was one of them. I understand that my work was widely appreciated there and is even with the royal family in Bahrain.
That must have truly been an unforgettable experience for you. An achievement actually! What is your current WIP?
I just got in a fresh lot of colours and expanded my pallete and created a beautiful blue and gold work. I always send in images to Jalpa, as I am in the process of creation. This somehow stimulates me and encourages me, to get to my next level each time. I value her feedback and input. She always remarks that this is my work and your gallery.
What does the future look like for you and your art?
I am completely in the moment, but when you ask me this question I would say the future looks bright. Cosmic Heart Gallery and I share a common vision of bringing beautiful and affordable art into peopleโs homes. So many people can not only appreciate my paintings, but also afford to buy them. God has been kind and Cosmic Heart Gallery has hosted seven solo shows of my work and curated my art in twelve group exhibitions in a period of seven years. My work has reached people around the world.
Do you have any words of advice that you would like to share with aspiring artists?
Believe in yourself and trust the process. I have been lucky to find a gallery and curator who understands my work and believes in my talent. There is huge synchronicity in the way we work together.
*A remark from ‘Cosmic Heart Gallery‘ Creative Head and Director – Jalpa H. Vithalani on Artist Natasha Lalla!
“It is an absolute delight to watch Natasha create one of her signature pieces with her fingers. This is one in a million artists who does not own a brush.”
How can my readers contact you or find your art?
Readers can contact me on my gallery facebook page, my personal page or instagram handle @natashalalla
They can come and see my works at Cosmic Heart Gallery, New Marine Lines.
Readers can read more on – http://www.cosmicheartgallery.info/artists/NL/natashalalla.html
View artworks on – http://www.cosmicheartgallery.info/artists/NL/natashalalla_artworks.html
An Artist Feature by Chriselda Barretto
USE THE CODE โCHRISELDAโ & GET 15% OFF NATASHA’S WORK AT ‘COSMIC HEART GALLERY’
Signup to receive a reminder to my next Artist Feature on ART-IS-IN
Contact : Chriselda Barretto
Check out more projects by Chriselda Barretto :
Her Blog โ chriselda.blog
Her Podcast โ The 3 Pillars
My Top 5 Easy-Peasy Chocolate Delights…coming soon!
Read it here on chriselda.blog (posts)
Don’t worry, the healthier version will follow next!
Featuring “Natasha Lalla” on ART-IS-IN
Artist Feature #5
Read her interview on Thursday on ‘chriselda.blog’
The Dig 2 – 04/08/2019…now available!
The Dig…Every Sunday Morning
Chriselda Barretto 