Mendiants-Chocolate Discs-The Curtain Raiser

So it is Chocolate Time, that also means the chocolate eaters are almost home to mark their attendance. I am not an expert on chocolates but with the little knowledge and experience of a person who loves chocolates, I will share with you the curtain raiser of the stage getting set for a festive mood.

Here I have used white chocolate (Morde Compound) and don't even bombard me with queries ...like "Is it tempered? Is it that?" That's for the experts on google/you tube videos or chocolate makers to help you with.

The white chocolate was roughly chopped up/finely grated and placed in a clean bowl free of any water droplets, with a thirty seconds burst I have placed them in the microwave to melt. Run your spoon or whisk into it after that thirty sec burst ensuring that you have smooth melted creamy chocolate. Monitor the chocolate in the microwave as you do not want it to clump. If it is not melted, place the bowl back again into the MW with a five sec burst and monitor continuously!

Alternatively,you can melt the chocolate over a double boiler as well but ensure that not a drop of water falls into it otherwise the chocolate would seize and there would be a huge struggle to get it to the desired consistency.

 Once the creamy chocolate is at hand, without any fear in your mind or fingers, ladle them in into a butter paper ensuring that you have a smooth flow. On its own, by default, will form a circular disc. You can even it out neatly by tapping the tray in which you poured the chocolate. While the chocolate is still sticky, add in the desired dry fruits or nuts of choice keeping in mind the allergies that a few people have towards certain nuts.

 Once they are neatly poured and your nuts and dry fruits arranged, set them in the refrigerator. Once cool, have them like so or if you are presenting it to somebody, use appropriate festive covering and stack them in a box and distribute to friends or family.

Here is my palette in which all my colourful emotions and creativity have come into play. The stage is set, the festive mood is what we feel in our hearts and minds, there is a nice chill in the air, it's also the music season here where I live, the characters have got their war paints on, the curtain is ready to be raised...waiting eagerly for the right audience to turn up to appreciate.

You can do the same and make pretty discs with milk or dark chocolates! This is a nice way to use up a few of your dried fruits that you received as gifts or bought during festive occasions to go into your milk desserts or bakes.

Do click that link below to understand and appreciate this French Dessert/confection/candy. View images as well to enhance your own mendiants. C'est tout! Bon Appetit mes amis!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendiant