Rococo: Real Chocolate
ISBN: 184499017 Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Limited
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I admit I'm a chocolate addict and living just doors away from the famous chocolate shop Rococo in Chelsea's Kings Road I used to get my daily fix. Since then I have had the joy of living in Brussels, where of course obtaining real chocolate wasn't a problem, but in many of other habitats I've lived in hunting down the real thing can be very hard. Chantal Coady opened Rococo 20 years ago with an ambition to bring true chocolate to the public, not that imitator that is full of fats, additives and sugar that the British call chocolate.
The book begins with a brief but fascinating history of chocolate including the process involved in preparing fine chocolate and how to recognise it. This followed by the very important skills needed to work with chocolate, with step to step guide to making ganache, tempering moulding and sculpting chocolate. Of course next but by far least is the all important chocolate recipes. Included are savoury dishes, puddings, desserts, biscuits, cakes and breads. Try an unusual but delicious Aubergine, Chocolate and Goats' Cheese Pizzette or Roast Lamb with Chocolate, Anchovy Capers (a twist on the classic dish) or a yummy but rich pudding of Chocolate Bombe with White Chocolate Risotto and to drink Chocolate Martinis. Recipes are clearly laid out and simple to follow and are accompanied by truly mouth watering photographs.
A joy to read and even a better cookbook full of really brilliant recipes that will get even the most dubious to give chocolate a try. A book that will never be far at hand.