Monthly Flavors for February – Cupid’s Busy Month
February, the month of love! Valentine’s Day is here, and chocolate is in the air. This is the time to ply that special someone with
August is here, bringing the end of summer. The days might still be long, but autumn is coming to prune the daylight back. Fruit are almost overwhelmingly ripe as summer shouts her final hurrah. There is no theme to the chocolates this month, just the last flavors of summer.
There are no holiday themed chocolates this month. There are important Hindu and Muslim holidays this month, but no chocolates specifically for them.
Ras el Hanout White Chocolate Ganache
Ras el Hanout is a spice blend from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It literally means “head of shop”, meaning it is top shelf. The actual composition of the spice blend changes family to family, but has at least a dozen spices including cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, clove, and allspice. Because it is such a complex flavor, I wanted to let it shine by itself in this chocolate.
Lychee and Raspberry Milk Chocolate Ganache
This chocolate is sort of in honor of my partner’s and my brother’s birthdays. My partner loves pretty much all fruit, and my brother particularly loves raspberries with chocolate. I really like the balance in this chocolate. The raspberry’s acidity is nicely countered by the floral sweetness of lychee and the milk chocolate.
Lemon Myrtle and Strawberry Ruby Chocolate Ganache
Lemon myrtle is from Australia, and has a long history as a medicinal plant. It is often used as a lemon substitute when the acidity in lemons could cause curdling. I find it citrusy, but more herbal than a lemon. This makes it a perfect pairing with strawberries and other red fruit.
Coffee and Dark Chocolate Caramel
You might think you are having a cup of black coffee or espresso with this caramel! It is strong and a bit bitter from the coffee, while the caramelized sugar softens it. I really like how it tastes almost burnt then rounds back to creamy and light.
Lime and Cardamom Gel with Plantain and Coconut Milk Chocolate Ganache
The combination of flavors here is so refreshing and tropical, it screams of summer. Lime and cardamom brings floral acidity, rounded by plantain sweetness and coconut lightness. I think this would translate to a really excellent cocktail, actually!
Fennel and Mint Dark Chocolate Ganache
Fennel and mint make for a really wonderful pairing. The fennel’s anise flavor is cut by the mint’s coolness, and all of it deepened by the dark chocolate’s acidity. This chocolate reminds me of summer nights, sweet and cool with the edges turning crisp.
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This shortbread has a great texture from the cornmeal, with acidity from the lime juice and zest. Perfect with a gin and tonic or a cup of coffee, this cookie is the dessert equivalent of a summer cookout!
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These Lebanese cookies are floral and light, buttery and crumbly. Called graybeh, they have a distinct crispness from clarified butter and can be flavored with other extracts or spices. They usually have orange blossom water or rose water, and the lavender in these just adds a lovely twist on the original.
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February, the month of love! Valentine’s Day is here, and chocolate is in the air. This is the time to ply that special someone with