Paradise
Truffles
[white
chocolate truffles flavored with lime]
Tips: Use ingredients of the highest quality;
especially important is the quality of the chocolate. Use only
REAL white chocolate (look for cocoa butter as a primary ingredient).
These are rich, so they should be small. Place finished truffles
in brown paper or foil candy cups. Store airtight in refrigerator
(they'll keep for a week or so) or freeze. Let stand at cool
room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
- 13
ozs. best-quality real white chocolate, very finely chopped
- 1/4
c. cream of coconut (sometimes used in alcoholic drinks, this
is available in most markets. Stir well before using.)
- 1/4
c. heavy cream
- 1/4
c. (1/2 stick or 4 Tbsp.) unsalted butter, cut into pats
- Grated
zest of 2 limes
- 2
tsp. fresh-squeezed lime juice, strained (no pits or pulp)
Place
finely chopped chocolate in medium heatproof bowl; set aside.
In small, heavy-bottomed, nonreactive saucepan, combine cream
of coconut, heavy cream, butter, and lime rind. Heat over low
heat, stirring often, just until mixture simmers. Remove from
heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes. Reheat cream mixture over
low heat, stirring often, just to a simmer. Remove from heat;
strain through fine strainer into chocolate, pressing on rind
in strainer to extract all liquid. Gently stir or whisk chocolate
mixture until completely melted and smooth. White chocolate can
be stubborn to melt. If necessary, place over warm water on low
heat, and gently whisk almost constantly until melted. If mixture
remains stubborn, process in food processor fitted with steel
blade, pulsing processor on and off, just until smooth. Whisk
in lime juice, 1 tsp. at a time. Chill at least 6 hours, preferably
overnight, covering truffle mixture when cold. Scoop up small
balls of the mixture with a teaspoon or small scoop and roll in
the coating(s) of your choice (see below). If desired, split the
batch, coating half of the truffles with coconut and half with
nuts (this looks showy when the truffles are arranged on a serving
plate). About 40-45 truffles, 1" in diameter
Truffle Coatings: Toasted coconut: Preheat oven to 350
F. In food processor fitted with steel blade, process 1-1/3 c.
sweetened, flaked coconut just until most flakes are chopped into
short shreds. Toast in shallow, foil-lined metal pan 8-12 minutes,
just until coconut is a light golden brown. Stir often; WATCH
CAREFULLY. Coconut burns easily. Cool completely before using.
Toasted
nuts: Preheat oven to 350'F. Finely chop enough walnuts, pecans,
or almonds to measure 1-1/3 cups. Toast as directed above, stirring
occasionally, just until a light golden brown. Cool completely
before using.
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