So on my desk I keep a candy dish that is perpetually filled with chocolate in some form or another. Personally, I'm not a huge chocolate fan, which is the only reason I keep chocolate on my desk as opposed to a giant tub of popcorn. If I had a popcorn dish on my desk it wouldn't be there for very long and I would soon become far too large to fit through my office door. Chocolate can sit there for a very long time, giving everyone an opportunity to steal a piece.
However, because I don't eat a lot of chocolate, I don't always know what's going to be popular. My last supply was cappuccino chocolate, which sounded good to me. Who doesn't like coffee and chocolate? Well as I learned, a LOT of people don't like coffee and chocolate. Or perhaps I just happen to work in an office with a strange population.
On one of her visits into my office The Organizer was disappointed in the chocolate selection because coffee bothers her stomach - even when its mixed in with chocolate. It just so happens that this month is The Organizer's birthday month - yes you read that correctly, she celebrates the entire month of her birthday. Which is great for her friends because she organizes an activity every Friday of the month (tada! "The Organizer"). She is uberselective about who "makes the cut" for her events, so we were honored to be invited to birthday month celebrations. I wanted to do something nice for her, so I decided to make her a birthday treat that involved her two favorites - chocolate and alcohol (no coffee).
However, because I don't eat a lot of chocolate, I don't always know what's going to be popular. My last supply was cappuccino chocolate, which sounded good to me. Who doesn't like coffee and chocolate? Well as I learned, a LOT of people don't like coffee and chocolate. Or perhaps I just happen to work in an office with a strange population.
On one of her visits into my office The Organizer was disappointed in the chocolate selection because coffee bothers her stomach - even when its mixed in with chocolate. It just so happens that this month is The Organizer's birthday month - yes you read that correctly, she celebrates the entire month of her birthday. Which is great for her friends because she organizes an activity every Friday of the month (tada! "The Organizer"). She is uberselective about who "makes the cut" for her events, so we were honored to be invited to birthday month celebrations. I wanted to do something nice for her, so I decided to make her a birthday treat that involved her two favorites - chocolate and alcohol (no coffee).
Chocolate Loaf
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and husked1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 lb semi sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 oz unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 Tbsp hazelnut liqueur
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
1) Line loaf pan with plastic wrap.
2) In food processor grind hazelnuts with sugar
3) In top of double boiler over simmering water melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in ground hazelnuts and 2Tbsp liqueur. Let mixture cool.
4) With electric beater on high, beat heavy cream, melted butter, and remaining liqueur until soft peaks form. Fold into chocolate.
5) Spoon mixture into loaf pan and smooth surface.
6) Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight. Thaw before serving.
Why wouldn't they love you!!! You're awesome and even more awesome for treating them to this - it sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of keeping something to nibble that you're not mad keen on. I'll have to do that more.
Holy Mowly that looks sooo good and with strawberries too. What a delicious looking treat.
ReplyDeleteOh HECK yeah! They etter love you forEVER for this one. Delicious looking AND beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI only have one issue with the whole thing - what do you mean your co-worker was disappointed because coffee bothers her stomach. Help me here - you bring freebees to the office and they express disappointment - well...shame shame for not clearing the freebees first :)
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only woman in the world that didn't like chocolate. I keep mini-chocolate bars in my candy dish because I know I won't eat 'em. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've secured a spot on future birthday weekends for years to come. Mind you, this women sounds like a bit of a tool.
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't you my co-worker and bring these extra special treats to work:D
ReplyDeleteI would love you too if you sent me one of these :) Why don't I have a co-worker like you???
ReplyDeleteso pretty! and i bet it tastes even better than it looks :)
ReplyDeleteI do like chocolate and coffee so I would have been happy to help you out there. Your CW is a lucky birthday girl. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is great! And I love that it doesn't have flour. I am not as into really cakey thing usually. Hmmmm... would go well with wine ... but wine doesn't always go well with work.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteHello :),
ReplyDeleteI'm Sophie, Key Ingredient's Chief Blogger. We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email sophiekiblogger@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)
Sophie
http://blog.keyingredient.com/
i like to celebrate my birthday all month long, too.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, you totally earn brownie points bringing in baked goods for co-workers....no pun intended! I brought in the last TWD batch of brownies and they loved me for it hahaha. These looks totally decadent...they must have been in a chocolate induced coma after this one ;-)
ReplyDelete