Rich Chocolate Fudge With Mixed Nuts

Over the years, my love has grown and grown more for only one thing…I can never say no to it and can never think of leaving it….not even if I am 100 kilos fat….J…did you read that….? Yeah that’s the love I share for chocolates…..If I am reading something, I will nibble chocolate, if I am happy, I call for a chocolate celebration, If I am sad, I need a chocolate to melt my sadness….chocolate been my best friend ever since my childhood…..

My little sister says, she finds a chocolate wrapper in each and every book I use to read….till date you can find one or two chocolate wrappers in the books I read….I don’t know why…but I never feel like throwing the wrapper……According to me…eating chocolate’s is a therapy…a luscious bar…when unwrapped from the gold foil….it gives soothing sensation to the senses….when you bite into it…when it starts to melt slowly by combining with the juices in your mouth….and when it slid through your throat…..Ummm….Muaahhhhhhhhhh…..it’s an yum experience……wait let me grab one to continue the post….

Today’s post is all about chocolate….it’s simple in making, it’s rich, creamy, nutty and yummy chocolate fudge I ever made….I followed a simple recipe to gratify my senses…Whole lot of variations are mentioned below…try them and get yourself pampered…..You can even make these beauties for your loving valentine. ….For those who thought I ran away with those delectable looking rich chocolate fudge pieces, here is the recipe for it….

INGREDIENTS:

• 150 gms. Dark Chocolate, grated
• 100 gms. White Chocolate, grated
• 300 gms. Condense Milk
• 1 tbsp. Vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp. Butter, optional
• 1 cup mixed Nuts (Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts & Pistachios)

PREPARATION:

• Using double boiler method or in a microwave safe bowl melt dark chocolate, white chocolate, butter and condense milk.
• Stir the mixture’s occasionally until the chocolate has completely melted. Now add vanilla essence and give the mixture a gentle stir.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper/butter paper/foil. Pour in the contents into the tray and using a spatula spread evenly about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle nuts evenly and tap the pan to settle the nuts into chocolate layer or gently press with your fingers to settle the nuts on top.
• Leave the tray in the fridge for 1-1½ hour or until the chocolate fudge turns firm. Using a sharp knife cut into pieces or desired shapes or just break down to small slabs.
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.
• Refrigerate in ziplock bag until use.

NOTES:

• As you can see it in the pictures, I have used chopped Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts and Pistachios.
• I used heart shaped cookie cutter to shape them.

MELTING CHOCOLATE:

• DOUBLE BOILER METHOD: Take two bowls, one large enough to fit the second one on top. Grate the chocolate and place it in small bowl. In the large bowl, add water and fix in the small bowl with chocolate. On a low heat using a spatula give a gentle stir till the chocolate gets completely melted. Always remember the water in the lower bowl should not touch the upper bowl (the bowl with chocolate).
• MICROWAVE METHOD: It’s easy and simple. Just add grated/chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt it on high for 1- ½ minute, by stirring for every 30 seconds.

VARIATIONS:

Run your imagination wild and you can have much number of variations…..here is a list of few which you may love making….

HOT AND SPICY DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Just add a pinch or more of mild flavour red chilli powder for that spicy hot fudge.

MINTY DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Crush Polo peppermint and add it to the chocolate mixture.

DRY CANDID FRUITS FUDGE: You can even add dried candid ginger, dried apricots, cranberries, etc. as your fudge topping. It enhances the flavour and colour of the recipe.

SINGLE NUT FUDGE: You can simply add any one of your favourite nut to the topping and name it as Pistachio – Chocolate Fudge or Almond – Chocolate Fudge, etc.

NUTTY OATS FUDGE: Toss oats and add them along with nuts to the topping of chocolate layer.

PEANUT BUTTER NUTTY FUDGE: Skip off white chocolate and add 2 tbsp. of peanut butter. Rest is same.

NUTTY NUTELLA FUDGE: Instead of white chocolate add a cup of Nutella (at room temperature). Rest is same.

MARSHMALLOW – CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Add marshmallow at the end of the recipe before pouring the content into the baking tray. Mix well and sprinkle with nuts of your choice.

TOUCH OF ROSE - CHOCOLATE FUDGE: You can even sprinkle some dried rose petals to make the fudge look extremely appealing…

INDIAN TADKA CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Roast some sesame, peanuts and pumpkin seeds and sprinkle them on top.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Drizzle off some caramel sauce on the topping for that extra touch of flavour.

COCONUT CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Add one cup of freshly grated coconut to the above recipe for that extra crunch.

COCOA FUDGE: Finally for all those who may be wondering what to do if you don’t get chocolate bars/compounds to make this recipe. I have recipe for you too. I found this recipe on Nestle Condense milk can,

INGREDIENTS:

• 400 gm. Nestle Condense Milk
• ¾ cup Cocoa powder, I used Cadbury’s brand
• 4 tbsp. Butter
• 2 tbsp. Vanilla essence
• 1 cup mixed Dry fruits (Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios)

PREPERATION:

• Sieve cocoa powder and set aside. In a thick bottom vessel, add condense milk, butter, vanilla essence and mix well. Now add cocoa powder and give the mixture good stir until the ingredients are completely mixed.
• Place the vessel on low heat and stir until the mixture starts to leave the sides. Pour into baking tray lined with butter paper and sprinkle on desired dry nuts. Refrigerate until set and cut into desired shapes.
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.

That's my little angel seriously picking up the cookie cutter....

As this post landed up just before the valentine's day...here is a perfect picture to say...Happy Valentine's Day....

These rich and delectable fudge pieces is going to participate in Valentines Day Recipe Contest @ Lifezing, Chocolate Lover Event @ Daily Cuppa, Sweet Luv @ Zesty Palette, Lets Cook For Valentines (Chocolates/Hearts) @ simply.food, Dish For Loved Ones @ Srav's Culinary Concepts, Valentines Fest - Served With Love @ Sizzling Tastebuds, MCTR's first event Love n Chocolate Fest @ My Culinary Trial Room, Let's Cook - Sweet Somethings Event @ Tickling Palates, Chocolate Mela @ Cooking 4 all Seasons and also to Valentines Day Special @ Anzzcafe.