Friday, August 06, 2010

Dark Chocolate Camembert Truffles

Dark Chocolate Camembert Truffles [photo]

Challenge extended? Challenge accepted!

As my favourite HIMYM character would say. I've mentioned my (cheese) slutty ways before haven't I? So when Fairview announced a competition for food bloggers' to create an original recipe using their Camembert cheese I was there like a bear.*

And the best part? I didn't even have to pretend to like their product! I have spent many lazy Saturdays gorging myself on their cheese at their estate where you can order a whole platter of cheese (a platter people!) for yourself. Clearly we speak the same language. Our goals are aligned. You could say I have found my soulmate in their cheese. And what a coincidence that a particular favourite of mine is one of their camemberts. The stinky goat's cheese one** in particular.


Dark Chocolate Camembert Truffles [photo]

I'm not gonna lie. It's uber stinky.  A stinkfest* if you will. But man, when you slide a piece of that velvety soft cheese in your mouth your poor abused nose will be the last thing on your mind. This is cheese perfection. And I know I have been overly dramatic in the past (okay especially when it comes to cheese), but this really is something you have to experience for yourself. It can't be explained.

So. The question was what to pair my stinky cheese with? I wanted to create something out of the ordinary, innovative if you will. Of course, innovative means squat if the food tastes like cat litter.*** Chocolate and cheese is a daring combo I admit, especially when it's stinky goats' cheese, but boy does it work! Remember that velvety soft cheese experience? Well, add cream to that and you can imagine how super creamy and velvety the end result would be. Add even more buttery, creamy goodness in the form of Lindt chocolate to that and you're approaching nirvana there.

Right, so texture-wise, you're clearly sold. "B-b-but", I hear you whimper, "what does it taste like?" Well it's deliciously chocolaty for one, and for two it's got that great sweet-savoury action going on. Hands up who enjoys a Hawaiian pizza? Watermelon & Feta Salad? Fleur de sel in your chocolate? 'Nuff said. Take a bow little truffles, take a bow. Because you are the next culinary revolution. True story.
Dark Chocolate Camembert Truffles [photo]

--> Remember to head on over to Fairview to vote for your favourite recipe! I.e #12. :-)

*And on a sidenote - I have got to stop using lame phrases 
** Roydon
*** Assumption. I have not *actually* consumed my cat's litter. That would be nasty.

Chocolate Camembert Truffles
Makes 20 - 25

1/2 cup cream
60g Fairview Roydon Camembert, rind removed
200g dark chocolate
grated rind of 1 orange
1/2 tsp orange essence
mixture of cocoa powder & icing sugar to roll truffles in

1. Heat cream in a saucepan until boiling. Add camembert, stirring until it has dissolved, then remove from the heat. If some small pieces don't dissolve completely, don't worry, it just adds to the savoury-sweet charm of these truffles.
2. Break the chocolate into pieces and add to the cream and camembert mixture. Stir until fully dissolved, then add the orange rind and orange essence. Stir through, then cover and place in the refrigerator for a few hours (or even overnight) to stiffen.
3. Sift cocoa powder and icing sugar together. Using a heaped teaspoon of the chocolate ganache, roll it into a little ball and dust with the cocoa powder. Repeat with the rest of the chocolate ganache. Return to the fridge to firm up before serving. Will keep in the fridge for a few days.

Note: If the strong taste of Roydon is not quite your style (hey we're equal opportunity cheese addicts here), feel free to substitute with the regular camembert for a deliciously creamy and mild truffle.


Full disclosure: I did not receive any free merchandise from Fairview for this promotion (or for any other purpose).

20 comments:

Carolyn Jung on August 06, 2010 2:00 am said...

These look spectacular. And I can see how a great dark chocolate would mellow a particularly strong cheese in the best of ways. ;)

Joanne on August 06, 2010 2:18 am said...

Good luck on the contest! These are amazing. I love the way your mind works.

nina on August 06, 2010 5:19 am said...

Marisa, this is a bold move, but it has paid off big time!! Well done!!!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't think to put those two together but the end result looks awesome! Great photos :)

Nicola on August 06, 2010 8:50 am said...

Impressive, I'm curious to see what these taste like. Good luck for the competition, I'm sure you're a shoe in.

Marisa on August 06, 2010 9:04 am said...

Carolyn - Yay, someone sees past the madness! :-)

Joanne - Thanks so much! Hold thumbs that I'll go through to the top 3.

Nina - Boldness (along with danger) is my middle name... ;-) I knew these were a gamble, but I can say in all honesty that the taste blew my mind. In a good way.

Chocswirl - Thanks so much! If you think about it, chocolate and cheese are combined in many classic desserts (think tiramisu, chocolate cheesecake, etc), so these are just a mind shift! The cheese adds an amazing velvety texture to the truffles.

Nicola - In a word: superb! But why not whip up a batch and taste for yourself? Thanks for the good wishes re the comp - hopefully the public will agree. :-)

Gaby866 on August 06, 2010 9:11 am said...

oye vay .. I would have been nervous to make these.. but looking at the recipe.. wow I can actually picture/smell/taste it !! great innovation !thanks

Kit on August 06, 2010 2:40 pm said...

Oh Wow! I never would have thought of it, but when you put it like that I'll have some please! In fact I voted for you already on the picture and title alone before I came and read the post. Good luck in the competition!

Marisa on August 06, 2010 4:22 pm said...

Gaby - I was scared too, but so happy they worked out so well!

Kit - If you like other choc/cheese combos, this makes sense. Besides, camembert is a relatively mild tasting cheese (even of the stinky goat variety), so it's not such a shell shock. Thanks for the vote! Appreciated. :-)

Jessica on August 08, 2010 5:17 am said...

Oh yum yum yum yum yum yum! I think I just licked my screen!

ma on August 08, 2010 10:13 am said...

it sounds fantastic

elrieta on August 09, 2010 5:28 pm said...

You got my vote all the way! Awesomeness in a little box (photos are stunning)- and the taste lingers on...

Debs @ DKC on August 10, 2010 7:11 am said...

Can't quite get my head around chocolate & cheese, but never say never LOL.

Good luck with the competition, they do look truly amazing regardless of the chocolate interiors.

browniegirl on August 11, 2010 9:12 am said...

WOW! These sound wonderful Marisa, definitely something to add to my bucket list of things to try :o) Very bold move indeed....well done! xx

Marisa on August 11, 2010 10:03 am said...

Jessica - I'll send over some screen cleaning agents asap.

ma - Why thank you!

Elrieta - Jy moet so se ne? ;-)

Debs - Thanks Debs! The cheese thing is a bit strange, but just think of other great cheesy desserts and it doesn't sound so odd anymore, does it?

Browniegirl - Thanks Colleen! These are definitely a sophisticated treat.

Lori on August 11, 2010 3:03 pm said...

Oh this is a wonderful idea! Cheese and chocolate, salty and sweet, they all go together in my book. Beautiful!

janice tripepi on August 11, 2010 3:41 pm said...

Marisa - this is a stroke of PURE GENIUS!!! You desserve an Oscar for the sheer indulgence of this post!! Well done! xxxx jan

Marisa on August 11, 2010 4:32 pm said...

Lori - That's the spirit!

Janice - Thank you Janice! So sorry your cheesy goodness didn't make the cut-off date. :-/

Julia @Mélanger on September 02, 2010 1:43 am said...

You had me totally hooked in with this flavour combination. I'm a massive fan of a) Hawaiian pizza, b) Watermelon & Feta Salad and especially c) Fleur de sel & chocolate. So I think there's no escaping me trying this recipe. Thank you for sharing!!!

heather on September 23, 2010 1:38 am said...

"challenge accepted" -- you obtained a true fan right there! oh himym. so glad it's back on. the seasons are sure out there now; ted needs to find his children's mother soon! and cheese + chocolate? i'm a native wisconsinite, so i think i must love that?

cheers,

*heather*

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