Mexican Coffee Fudge

I know it's crazy.  It's past the holidays and I'm still craving chocolate.  But hey, I've lost 14 pounds over the last 4 months, so a little more chocolate isn't really going to hurt.  All things in moderation!

Look at that silky smoothness of the fudge.  AND I didn't even use marshmallows to make it.  A while back I realized I had accumulated way too many food and cooking magazines.  It kills me to give them away or to throw them out GASP!!!  But, in order for me to buy anymore, I really do have to weed out some of the ones I do have.

I found a couple of CHOCOLATIER magazines that I hadn't leafed through for a while and I found this little Mexican Coffee Fudge recipe.  A few ingredients (no marshmallows) a little time and TADA! you have delicious fudge cut into little pieces that you can eat without feeling guilty (like when you eat a big old slice of cake).    The only adaptation I made to the recipe was to reduce the amount of milk from 1 cup to 3/4 cup and add some Mocha Kahlua for the other 1/4 cup.  Came out really tasty.

It's a recipe you might want to keep in mind as Valentine's Day rolls around.  Enjoy.

Mexican Coffee Fudge
(Inspired by a recipe found in a 2005 CHOCOLATIER Magazine)

2 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup whole milk
¼ cup Mocha Kahlua Liqueur
3 cups granulated sugar
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped


Butter an 8–inch square baking dish and set aside.

Dissolve the espresso powder and cinnamon in 3 teaspoons of hot water. Stir until a paste forms. Set aside.

In heavy bottom saucepan heat milk, Kahlua, sugar, butter and chocolate over medium heat until it reaches a boil. Do not stir or scrape down sides.

Lower heat and add a candy thermometer. Heat without stirring until mixture reaches softball stage – 238 degrees F.

Remove from heat; allow to cool to 110 degrees F. and then with a spatula scrape in espresso mixture.

In an electric mixer, using a paddle attachment, beat mixture until it loses its gloss and thickens.

Spread fudge evenly into prepared 8-inch square pan. Let cool 20 minutes and cut into small squares.

Note:  I just added some craisins on the plate cause I was snacking on some.

Cocoa Spiced Chicken

Having chicken for dinner is not new. It's what you do with it that counts.

Chocolate is delicious as a dessert. It is also a delightful suprise when used as a savory flavoring on meats and poultry.

I baked this Cocoa Spiced chicken breast but it is also delicious when grilled. In keeping with the cooking for two, taking out a couple of chicken breasts out of the freezer and spicing it up with "chocolate" makes a special dinner. The addition of a salsa as a topper, in this case made with mangos and avocados makes this simple piece of poultry a complete dinner.

The salsa is the usual combination of diced onions, chopped tomatoes, diced mangos, diced avocados, minced jalapeños and drizzled with a mixture of lime and olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.

To complete the dinner serve crusty french bread and a tall, cold gass of Tecate (Mexican Beer).
Spicy Cocoa Rubbed Chicken with Salsa
(recipe from the Southern Living Magazine)

2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
2 large chicken breasts
2 limes
2 teaspoons of honey
1 avocado, chopped
1 cup chopped fresh mango
¾ cup large-diced tomato
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 minced jalapeño
4 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro


Preheat grill. Use an outdoor or an indoor grill.

Stir together brown sugar and next four ingredients plus ½ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Rub chicken with the sugar mixture, coating well.

Grate zest from limes to equal 1 tablespoon; squeeze juice from limes to equal 2 tablespoons. Whisk together honey, lime zest and lime juice in a medium bowl. Add avocado and toss to coat. Stir in mango, next 3 ingredients and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt.

Grill chicken until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 165 degrees. Serve with mango-avocado salsa.

Mexican Chocolate Biscotti

Need a self-indulging break from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Treat yourself to a Spiced Mexican Mocha and Biscotti delight.

I’d never made biscotti before. My daughter-in-law had made some for me a couple of years ago for Christmas so I thought I’d try it with some Abuelita’s Mexican Chocolate.

My family knows Christmas morning (for me) is not complete without a large cup of java and some biscotti. The holidays are when I love to indulge with this decadent bit of crispy cookie dipped in coffee.

I’m anxious this year for Christmas to come around more than usual. My children will be here. Ask me if I’m excited??!!! I’ve started making my food and shopping lists and we haven’t even hit Thanksgiving yet.

So, to keep me somewhat sane, I decided to experiment with this basic biscotti recipe adding some Abuelita’s chocolate and chopped almonds. I can see the pounds piling back on. I’ve managed to lose some weight in the last few months and I promise to take it back off after the holidays. But for now, it’s time to celebrate. My children are coming and I’m in heaven.

Mexican Chocolate Biscotti
Makes: 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon espresso powder (or instant coffee granules)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup toasted almonds, chopped*
4 ounces Mexican chocolate, chopped
6 ounces special dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon Kahlua
2 teaspoons shortening

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside. Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and cocoa powder. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour, the hazelnuts, and 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate with a wooden spoon.
2. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 9-inch-long roll. Place rolls 4 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet; slightly flatten each roll to 2 inches wide.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet for 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325F.
4. Cut each roll diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices, slicing carefully with a serrated knife. Place slices, cut sides down, on cookie sheet.
5. Bake in 325F oven for 8 minutes. Carefully turn slices over and bake for 7 to 9 minutes more or until dry and crisp. Transfer to wire racks and let cool, about 1 hour.
6. Microwave chopped chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl on 50 percent power (medium) for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice. Dip one end of each cookie into melted chocolate; let excess drip back into bowl. Place cookies on waxed paper; let stand until set. Makes 2 dozen small cookies. If you want larger biscotti cookies make just one large log.
*Note: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 375F oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice. Chop nuts and set aside.
To Store: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.

Biscotti (or any cookie) wouldn’t be complete without some coffee or hot chocolate. What better way to serve the Mexican Chocolate Biscotti than with some Spiced Mexican Mocha. What can I say? I’m a Mexican Chocoholic!

Spiced Mexican Mocha
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
4 cups strong coffee, freshly brewed
2 cups whole milk, or half and half, or cream :)
1 tablespoon Kahlua
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 1/2 ounces bittersweet or Mexican chocolate, like Abuelita's or Ibarra’s, grated
Vanilla ice cream or frozen whipped cream, optional
Chili powder, optional

Directions
Brew coffee and keep on warmer.
Bring milk to a simmer over low heat. Add next four ingredients and stir until chocolate is melted. Add strong coffee to milk mixture.
Whisk or blend it to make it light and foamy. The traditional way to do this is with a molinillo. A molinillo is a special wooden tool used for creating foam in hot chocolate.
If you desire, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen whipped cream and sprinkle (lightly) with chile powder or cinnamon.
You may make this ahead and reheat. Make sure to either whisk it or blend it in a blender to make it light and foamy before serving.

In memory of the brave men and women who lost their lives at Fort Hood.

Chocolate Tiramisu for 2

Still trying to reduce the cooking and baking quantities to accomodate 2. We love Tiramisu, but making a huge cake or pie would be just too much. This recipe - in chocolate of course, comes from the Sandra Lee magazine for October. Making this in one of my latte cups made it a perfect dessert to share with Bob. Sandra's recipe calls for assembling it in espresso cups, but I figured since Bob and I would be sharing, this cup would be just fine. Hope you try it. It's DELICIOUS.

Chocolate Tiramisu Cups
(recipe from the Semi-Homemade Magazine, Oct. 2009)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided
3 tablespoons Kahlua
¾ cup espresso or strong-brewed coffee cooled to room temp
1 (3-ounce) package soft lady fingers
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
Garnish: cocoa powder

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, ¾ cup powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Add ½ heavy cream and 2 tablespoons Kahlua, beating until blended and smooth.

In a small bowl, combine espresso and remaining 1 tablespoon Kahlua.

Fill bottom of espresso cups (or other decorative dessert cups) with a quarter teaspoon espresso mixture. Line the bottom of each cup with lady fingers, tearing them to fit the cups. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon espresso mixture. Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons cream cheese mixture over the lady fingers. Repeat layers.

In a small bowl combine remaining ½ cup heavy cream and 3 tablespoons powdered sugar. Beat at high speed with mixer until soft peaks form and carefully spoon over tiramisu cups. Garnish with additional cocoa powder if desired. Store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Here you can see the bits of lady fingers sticking out. (Should have made TWO!)

Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

It was time for a delicious, chewy, decadent chocolate dessert with a buttery shortbread crust. El Paso has finally broken the heat wave and we’ve been getting some thunderstorms, resulting in slightly chilly weather, so I was ready for some baking.

I wanted to surprise Bob with a filling dinner and a yummy dessert when he got home from work. He loves Pecan Pie, but I usually only make it around the holidays, so I opted for these mouthwatering Pecan Pie Bars.

I’ve made them before with either a “dunk” into melted chocolate or just plain. Today I was inspired by a recipe I saw on the Brown Eyed Baker’s blog with her Chunky Pecan Pie Bars.

I sure hope you try these luscious bars. They’re not difficult to make and are rather tasty. Look at all those pecans and chocolate chunks!


Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
(Inspired by The Brown-Eyed Baker)

For the Crust:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Filling:

3 large eggs
¾ cup corn syrup
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1¾ cups coarsely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (or chocolate chunks in a bag!)
I used chopped Mexican chocolate
1½ cups chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. For the crust, mix together the flour, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until crumbly. Press into the baking pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.
3. For the filling, beat the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla extract with a wire whisk. Stir in the chocolate chunks and pecans. Pour evenly over the baked crust and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.
4. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cool completely and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the refrigerator if you live in a warm/humid area with no air conditioning).

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Mi Chita's Mexican Chocolate Recipes

What is it?

Mi Chita's Mexican Chocolate Dessert Recipes is an ebook-cookbook. It is filled with dessert and beverage recipes that use Mexican chocolate. Mexican chocolate has a unique taste, featuring a hint of cinnamon and almonds, and differs from the taste of regular baking chocolate. This ebook features dessert and beverage recipes, including "The Greatest Cheesecake Ever--Mexican Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake." Other recipes include cakes, cookies, snacks, cocoa, a chocolate Martini and more-- all with the flavor of Mexican chocolate.

Why an E-Book?

Our first cookbook, Aprovecho, A Mexican-American Border Cookbook, was published in the traditional way. Hardcopy and paperback versions of the cookbook are still available on-line at Amazon and in bookstores.

"For this cookbook, we decided to publish in an Ebook-Format in order to make it less expensive than our Aprovecho Cookbook. Cost reduction from traditional publishing allows us to sell the ebook for only $3.95. It's less expensive for those purchasing it, while we make the about the same as we would for each copy of Aprovecho that is sold. Everyone wins.

Where can it be purchased?

Mi Chita's Mexican Chocolate Dessert Recipes can be bought on Michita's Page. Payment can be made with a Pay Pal account or with most credit cards.

Mex Choc Brownies	Champurrado
Mex Choc 3 Leches	Rum Mousse
Drizzled Popcorn	Kahlua Cheesecake
Mex Choc Martini	Mocha Shake

These photos are just a sampling of some of mouthwatering recipes found in our Mi Chita's ebook. To view all the photos, take a moment to view the Picassa slideshow located over the right of this blog page. Hopefully it will entice you to make the small investment of $3.95 in order to savor the sweet and distictive flavor of Mexican Chocolate.

Can you think of a better way to impress your boss, in-laws, co-workers or neighbors than inviting them to dinner and offering this sweet ending to a fabulous meal? There is absolutely nothing that compares to making someone feel so special, just don't tell them how simple it was to prepare. If they want the recipe, send them here.

Before you know it, you and your Mexican Chocolate desserts and drinks will be the envy of all who love chocolate.

*** FREE RECIPE ***

Mexican Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
½ cup sugar
1-teaspoon vanilla
2 to 2½ cups flour
¼ cup cocoa, plus a little extra
1 disk Mexican Chocolate, finely ground

Drizzle Mix:

1 cup chocolate chips
¼ cup Mexican Chocolate, ground
1 teaspoon shortening

Cream butter and sugar together. Add vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, Mexican Chocolate, and salt. Slowly, add flour mixture to butter mixture and knead to combine well.
Chill dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes for easier handling.
Roll out a small portion of the dough between two pieces of wax paper or parchment paper to ¼ inch thickness.
Dip cookie cutter in flour or cocoa powder and cut out desired shapes. Place cookie shapes on ungreased baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help cookie hold its shape when baked. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (middle of oven) at 325°. Cool completely before drizzling with chocolate Drizzle mixture. Makes about 1 ½ to 2 dozen, depending on size of shapes cut.

Drizzle Mix:

Combine chocolate chips, Mexican Chocolate, and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir until melted. If not completely melted, microwave for 10 to 15 seconds more. Cool for 2 minutes. Pour melted chocolate into a zip lock plastic bag. Zip bag closed. Snip a tiny piece off the corner of the plastic bag. Drizzle over completely cooled cookies.

Donuts from Biscuit Dough

When Lily and I were watching a taped segment of Paula Deen’s Home Cooking, we saw a recipe we couldn’t resist.

Ever since they closed the Dunkin’ Donuts shop on the west side of town, we tend to crave donuts a little more than usual simply because they aren’t as easily available as they used to be.

Paula made quick and easy donuts with plain old buttermilk biscuit dough. You know, the kind you find in a can at the supermarket. We used Pillsbury Grand’s Buttermilk Biscuit Dough. I have to admit that while they don’t quite taste like Dunkin’s, they make a great substitute.

While I was preparing the Carnitas Dinner, Lily and Brian made the donuts. (“It’s time to make the donuts.” Remember that commercial?)

I was impressed. They prepared everything before hand. They melted some strawberry frosting I had in the pantry by micro waving it for a few seconds and made the chocolate glaze.

They heated the peanut oil in our fry daddy and went to work. Once the donuts had drained a bit over paper towels, they dipped them in the two glazes and as you can see even got creative with some drizzle effects. Not bad for a couple of college students. They fried up the donut holes as well and started munching on them while I finished dinner.

Try the recipe and see if you think they measure up to old Dunkin.
Canned Biscuit Dough Donuts and Holes
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients
Peanut oil, for frying
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Icings:
2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
5 tablespoons milk, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 cans large buttermilk biscuits
Colored sprinkles
Chocolate sprinkles

Directions
Heat 2 inches peanut oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F. (We used a fryer.)
In a shallow bowl, stir together the ground cinnamon and sugar and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, set aside. This is the vanilla icing. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons of milk (the kids added some cinnamon and a teaspoon of almond flavoring) and set aside. This is the (Mexican)chocolate icing.

Lay out the biscuits on a cutting board and with a 1 1/2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out a hole from the middle of each biscuit. Fry them in the oil until golden and then flip with tongs to fry the other side. You can even fry the donut holes. Drain on paper towels and then toss in the cinnamon-sugar or ice and decorate with sprinkles, as desired

Chocolate "Caliente" Soufflés

I've always been a little leery of making a souffle. "Will it rise? Will it fall?" But I still wanted to try. I found several recipes that sparked my curiousity. The one that inspired this delightful dessert comes from Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Desserts 2. With a few changes here and there in the ingredients, I devised the perfect after-dinner treat for any week night meal. I hope you try making this, it's really tasty. Enjoy.

Chocolate Soufflés
(by Sandra Lee)

Chocolate "Caliente" Soufflés
(by Teresa, the changes I made are in red)

4 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons sugar
5 ounces semisweet chocolate baking bar, cut up, Baker’s
I used Abuelitas Mexican chocolate, 1 ½ disks and only 1 tablespoon of sugar in the chocolate mixture. I also used 1-teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract and a pinch of cayenne powder.
2 tablespoons whipping cream
3 egg yolks
4 egg whites
Unsweetened cocoa powder, optional I used the cocoa powder but I also incorporated ¼ teaspoon cinnamon into the powder before dusting.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Use 1 tablespoon of the butter to grease six 4-ounce ramekins and use 2 tablespoons of sugar to coat the inside of ramekins. I used four 6-ounce ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.

On top of a double boiler, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the chocolate and whipping cream. Place over boiling water in bottom of double boiler making sure bottom of top pan does not touch the water. Cook and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat allow to cool for a minute or two and stir in egg yolks; set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and beat until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture until no streaks remain. Spoon into ramekins, filling each three-fourths full. Bake in preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes or just until set. Serve immediately. If desired, dust with cocoa powder.


You can see the airiness and lightness of the soufflé in every spoonfull. My only concern with this dish is that it really must be prepared right before serving, otherwise it deflates quickly. If anyone can tell me how to keep a soufflé from falling after taking it out of the oven, I sure would appreciate the tip.
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Smile!
Among life's mysteries is how a two-pound box of chocolate can make a person gain five pounds!? :)
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Go to the Mexican American Border Cooking blog for a delicious recipe on Piri Piri BBQ Chicken.