Valentine’s Day is a day for love—and in addition for sweetness, thoughtfulness, and people small gestures that merely say I used to be pondering of you. It’s about shared moments and creating one thing that feels just a bit extra particular than an odd day.
Valentine’s Day occurs to be my favourite vacation of the yr. Flowers, hearts, my favourite shade—pink, chocolate, and champagne—all rolled into one charming celebration. Really, what’s to not love?
And as February 14th attracts nearer, I couldn’t wait to share a recipe that you just and your sweethearts are going to fall for. It’s easy, heartfelt, and better of all—made with darkish chocolate, dried fruits, and nuts…have you ever heard chocolate is sweet for you!!
This deal with is known as a mendiant, and it comes from the sun-drenched Provence area of France. It carries with it an extended and interesting historical past, deeply rooted in custom and religion.
Mendiants have been initially served as a part of the 13 Desserts of Christmas, a beloved Provençal customized symbolizing Christ and the twelve apostles. Every topping held which means—raisins for the Dominicans, almonds for the Carmelites, figs for the Franciscans, and hazelnuts for the Augustinians.
That historical past is a part of what makes mendiants so particular. Right now, once we make them at dwelling, the true pleasure lies within the creativity—selecting the chocolate you like, arranging fruits and nuts in a means that feels stunning and private, and creating one thing meant to be devoured…and shared, for those who can restrain your self!
To make conventional Mendiants, simply soften chocolate within the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring every time and utilizing the least warmth potential to get a easy, creamy chocolate. I like to make use of Ghirardelli 60% cacao for this as a result of it melts so fantastically.
Spoon the melted chocolate onto parchment paper in uniform dollops. Earlier than the chocolate units, organize dried fruits and nuts on high, urgent them in evenly. As soon as the chocolate has hardened, they’re able to take pleasure in.
I maintain my Mendiants within the fridge till consuming, as a result of I don’t mood the chocolate.
For Valentine’s Day, I’ve added a little bit further love. As a substitute of conventional rounds, I created free-form chocolate hearts—charming, imperfect, and made with intention. It’s a straightforward approach to flip a traditional Provençal deal with into one thing festive and heartfelt.
These mendiants make a stunning present, a candy ending to a Valentine’s meal, or a quiet second of chocolate bliss shared with somebody you like.
In case you LOVE chocolate as a lot as I do, I’d like to ask you to my Valentine/Galentine Chocolate Class. We’ll create stunning confections collectively, be taught a couple of insider methods, and rejoice the season most deliciously.
I’ve room for 3 extra Galentines!!!!
Friday, February 13th from 11:00-1:30 Valentine’s Chocolate Lunch & Study
Be a part of me this February for an indulgent, chocolate-kissed afternoon designed to heat your coronary heart and encourage your interior chocolatier. We’ll start with a comfortable, elegant lunch served with wine, that includes comforting, tender Pot Roast draped in a silky Darkish-Chocolate Sauce, wealthy, Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes, and crispy Parmesan White-Chocolate Carrots that strike the proper stability of candy, savory, and completely irresistible. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves and dive into the candy aspect of the day—a decadent lineup celebrating chocolate in all its types: First, we’ll unlock the thriller of
French Sizzling Chocolate Served with Chantilly Cream adopted by a phenomenal Triple-Chocolate Tart infused
with strawberry and completed with hand-dipped Chocolate Strawberries for the prettiest garnish. Subsequent up, Chocolate-Hazelnut Turnovers with flaky, golden layers and a heat, molten heart. We’ll craft Ardour-Fruit Darkish-Chocolate Truffles, a lush little chunk the place vivid tropical acidity meets velvety cocoa. And final however not least, a convention in my home, Shortbread Black-and-Whites, tender, buttery cookies dipped in contrasting swirls of shiny darkish and creamy white chocolate. Come spend a couple of joyful hours cooking collectively, tasting collectively, and crafting stunning chocolate treats—each fairly sufficient to share with those you like, simply in time for Valentine’s Day. Class price $115.00 REGISTER
Mendiant
1 12-ounce package deal 60% cocoa chocolate chips- I exploit Ghirardelli’s
¼ cup dried cherries
¼ cup walnuts, toasted
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup pistachios, uncooked or toasted
Soften chocolate within the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring every time till it’s melted and easy. Use the least quantity of warmth potential to get this completed. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon dollops of chocolate onto the parchment, and as they unfold, they are going to turn into small discs, about 2 ½ inches. Place one in every of every of the fruits and nuts on every chocolate disc. Place the baking sheet into the fridge till the discs have hardened. Preserve refrigerated till able to serve.
