Bittersweet Chocolate Port Sauce Recipes

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place double boiler (or a makeshift version) over medium heat and bring water to a simmer. Put sugar, cream, chocolate and butter in top part of double boiler. Let simmer, without stirring, for about 15 minutes, until cream is hot, sugar is dissolved and chocolate has completely melted.
• Add Grand Marnier and whisk until glossy and smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and keep warm. Sauce may be refrigerated for later use, but cool completely first, then reheat in a double boiler.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH FLEUR DE SEL

Steps:

• Create an ice bath in a large bowl using ice and a little cold water. Nestle a smaller bowl in ice bath.
• Place chocolate and 1 cup water in a small pot and heat over medium. Whisk until mixture is melted and smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Immediately pour melted chocolate into the bowl in the ice bath. Vigorously whisk chocolate mixture by hand until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. The chocolate should be fluffy and form a mound when dolloped with the whisk (it should generally have the texture and appearance of mousse). If the mixture does not thicken, add a bit more chopped chocolate and remelt over the heat. Spoon into serving bowls and garnish with fleur de sel.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CHOCOLATE PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet and toss with the oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast until tender and browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Stir in the port, vinegar and thyme and boil until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the chocolate and honey and simmer until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a serving bowl and drizzle with the sauce.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and cocoa in a heavy bottomed medium saucepan. Whisk in just enough buttermilk to form a smooth paste. Whisk in the remaining buttermilk. Cook over medium heat until the mixture simmers and begins to boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, scraping the sides and bottom of the pan. Boil gently for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Sauce may be stored in the refrigerator up to one week.
• NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER 2 TABLESPOONS OF SAUCE: 66 calories; 1.2 g fat (14 percent calories from fat); 1.5 grams protein; 15.2 g carbohydrates; .5 mg cholesterol

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until well combined, and serve. (or store in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to a week, and warm before serving).

BITTERSWEET HOT FUDGE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 4-quart Dutch oven combine the chocolates, half-and-half or light cream, and sugar.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer mixture, uncovered, over low heat about 2 minutes or until mixture is creamy, stirring frequently.
• Remove from heat; stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the hot sauce into 7 or 8 hot, clean half-pint jars or 16 (4-ounce) jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace.
• Place metal lids on jars.
• Screw metal bands onto jars following manufacturer's directions.
• Store chocolate sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
• (The sauce must be stored in the refrigerator after placing in jars. Even though the hot sauce may cause the lids on the jars to seal, this is not a secure canning seal. Do not store at room temperature.) Serve sauce warm* over ice cream, eclairs, or fresh berries.
• Makes eight 1/2-pint or sixteen 1/2-cup jars (128, 1-tablespoon servings)*Note: To reheat, place 1/2 cup sauce in a 1-cup glass measure.
• Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring once.
• Or, place in a small saucepan.
• Cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes or until heated through.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine cream, milk, water, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and salt in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking until cocoa powder is completely dissolved.
• Remove from heat and add chocolate, butter, and vanilla, stirring until chocolate is melted and sauce is smooth.
• Serve warm.
• NOTE: To reheat, cover it and microwave for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until completely melted.

CARAMELIZED-BANANA TARTLETS WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• For crust:
• Using electric mixer, beat first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add flour; beat until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Press 1 piece evenly onto bottom and up sides of each of six 4 1/2-inch-diameter tartlet pans with removable bottoms. Bake crusts until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Cool crusts completely in pans on rack. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)
• For filling:
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beginning to brown. Add half of bananas to skillet in single layer; cook until bananas brown on bottom, about 45 seconds. Using thin spatula, turn slices over; sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over bananas. Cook until sugar dissolves and turns golden, occasionally swirling pan, about 3 minutes. Turn banana slices over; add 3 tablespoons warm water and continue cooking until caramel thickens slightly, swirling pan, about 2 minutes. Arrange banana slices in each of 3 tartlet crusts; spoon any caramel from skillet over. Clean skillet, then repeat procedure with remaining butter, bananas, sugar, and water. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand uncovered at room temperature. Warm in 350°F oven 10 minutes before continuing recipe.)
• Top each tartlet with scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle each tartlet with Bittersweet Chocolate-Port Sauce and serve.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE-PORT SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring whipping cream, whole milk, and unsalted butter to simmer in small heavy saucepan. Remove saucepan from heat and add chopped chocolate. Whisk mixture until smooth. Stir in tawny Port. (Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Warm over medium-low heat.)