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Celebrating Spirits and Chocolates |
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by
Sandra S. Juneau
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| Nothing chases away the mid-winter blues like a festive occasion. Luckily for us in south Louisiana, there are beaucoup reasons for celebrating at this time of the year. Our colors seem to be in constant clash, with red, pink and white for Valentine’s Day, followed by the Mardi Gras trio of purple, green and gold. Then, before you’ve packed those away, there’s green and white for St. Patrick’s and green, white and red for St. Joseph’s Day! Just forget about coordinating the colors! Celebrate the season with great spirits and that all-time favorite, chocolate. The aphrodisiac properties of chocolate are legendary. In combination with celebration spirits like sparkling wines and the following specialty cocktails, these chocolates are sure to sweeten your festivities. ÉTOILE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR Located in the heart of old Covington, Étoile Restaurant & Wine Bar has been serving up specialties to locals and tourists for more than seven years. Owners Jed McSpadden and renowned artist, James Michalopoulos, whose artworks adorn the walls, have created an ambience unequalled by any other restaurant. The unique combination of signature dishes created by Chef Kevin Cadow and an excellent wine list that has garnered three consecutive Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine have built a loyal following, but it is Étoile’s wine bar that is truly the star of the house. For celebrations, or just for meeting friends at the bar, explore their original flavors, like this fabulous chocolate and rum combination cocktail. Irish Channel 2 oz. Cane’s dark rum Using a potato peeler, shave/peel individual chocolate pieces from a solid bar of chocolate. Set aside. Add liquor ingredients to martini shaker over ice. Shake and strain into martini glass rimmed with chocolate shavings. One serving. PATISSERIE JOANN This unique little pastry and chocolate shop tucked away on Hwy. 1077 between Goodbee and Folsom is a northshore treasure for gourmet cakes and hand-dipped chocolates. For more than 10 years, owner JoAnn Bennett has been creating her specialty chocolates, from liqueur-filled truffles to cherry cordials to chocolate alligators, and more. She will even customize your business logo or an original design. Perhaps you can send your personalized Valentine message via chocolates! Chocolate Truffles Grand Marnier In a medium-size saucepan, heat the cream until it simmers. Add the semi-sweet chocolate and butter and stir until both are melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool briefly. When mixture is lukewarm, add the orange zest and the Grand Marnier, stirring to blend thoroughly. Pour the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator or freezer until quite firm. Using a melon ball cutter, scoop the firm ganache into one-inch balls. Dust your hands with powdered sugar and gently roll each ball to firm. Refrigerate balls, uncovered, on a cookie sheet, until they are hard. Temper the milk chocolate in a saucepan over a double boiler, warming to a liquid state. Dip each ball in the melted chocolate, carefully tapping off the excess chocolate. Place truffles on a cookie sheet which has been covered with waxed paper. Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best flavor, allow truffles to return to room temperature before serving. VINCENT’S ITALIAN CUISINE For a real taste-tempting sensation, top off a romantic dinner at Vincent’s in Mandeville with this tasty concoction. Sweet Velvet Kiss 1 oz. Bombay Sapphire gin Add liquid ingredients to martini shaker over ice. Shake and strain into martini glass rimmed with powdered sugar. Garnish with chocolate-covered strawberries. One serving.
Copyright 2004, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved. |
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