Gourmet chocolate fondue

There's nothing like bonding over a pot of gourmet chocolate fondue. To make an easy chocolate fondue, melt one part light cream or half and half for every two parts semisweet chocolate chips. Add a dash of vanilla extract. Stir the fondue so there are no lumps. Experiment with different fruits and breads for dipping. This fondue is easy to make, but has all the class of a luxury chocolate delicacy.

Chocolate for Candy Making

The best chocolate for making truffles and chocolate candy shapes is called “couverture chocolate.” A high fat content makes this high quality chocolate easier to melt and although it's expensive, the extra price is well worth it in terms of flavor and ease of use.

Another option for homemade chocolate candy is “compound chocolate.” This chocolate contains hard vegetable fat as well as cocoa butter so it's a bit cheaper. Be sure to sample before purchase if you can, as poor quality compound chocolate can taste waxy.

Chocloate and Vitamins

Yes, Chocolate is actually not a bad source of Vitamins A, B1, C, D and E - and it tastes a lot better than a Vitamin Pill

Getting the best results

Making desserts using chocolate requires specialied equipment to ensure that the chocolate shows off at it’s best. Essentials include an instant-read thermometer and a really good double boiler. Check out the sub-cateorgies above for more specific details on must have cooking tools for working with chocolate!