Love in the Kitchen..

copyright 2010, Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc
by Maria Liberati
Eat like you love with passion…make recipes that are easy but provide pleasure for cooking and eating…one of my favorite and fuss free recipes is ‘chocolate salami’ -an uncomplicated but fun to make and eat dessert.
No it is not a meat dish, it is a dessert and is meat free! And best of all quick and simple to prepare, but the secret is to use only the best ingredients, even in a simple dish like a chocolate salami.

Take 3 ounces of bitter cocoa powder-use a good brand one that is at least 70% cocoa, place cocoa powder in a bowl and add in 2 whole eggs, 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 ounce of unsalted butter-melted. Stir with a wooden spoon till well blended. As you are blending you will, be hypnotized by the fragrance of the cocoa and butter being melded together…mmm…enjoy the aroma and now crush an ounce of amaretti cookies and 2 ounces of biscotti into the chocolate mixture. Blend crushed cookies into the chocolate mixture with your hands…now place a little sample of your creation into your mouth, close your eyes and concentrate on the pure, intense taste, but what could be missing, some crushed nuts, perhaps a liqueur?? Brandy or a coffee liqueur?? Now add in and mix.
Place the mix onto a piece of parchment paper.Roll up into the shape of a salami. Massage it into form so that it forms a perfect compact salami shape. Cover with parchment paper, place in freezer for a few hours. Remove from freezer, remove parchment paper and slice.
All in all the chocolate salami should take no more than 30 minutes to make, but will provide so  many hours of eating pleasure.
Get more recipes in the award winning The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions
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