Chocolate & Tahini Truffles
marzo 11, 2011
Luckily, I’ve never had to deal much with hospitals, nor for me nor for my dear ones. However, when Claudia was still a puppy, she was nearly 5, she spent 15 days in the children’s hospital in Siena for a totally not-to-worry-about tonsil infection. There was absolutely nothing to worry about, but a fortnight in the hospital – especially for a tiny hyperactive puppy as she was – was nevertheless a critic moment to deal with.
I still remember her open mouth heartily laughs when the hospital volunteers used to spend some time with Claudia, to entertain her. a few moments, two chats and a smile were enough to switch the bored look in her face into a shining and sparkling smile!
This was my first thought when I read of this very important blog event created by Caris from Cooking Planner, aiming to save the Roman Fondazione Santa Lucia for children. A recipe child-friendly was all she was asking for. How could you say no?
I therefore decided to make truffles, one of the first recipe Claudia and I made together, because it is simple, child-friendly and, alter all, everyone loves chocolate!
I have already told you that I adore the chocolate & tahini match, when I first made this filled tart. I also foretold that there would have certainly been another recipe, and there we are! This kind of truffles was spinning in my head for a long time, until I decided to make it real: tiny, intense and slightly bitter on the outside, with an inner, creamy and silky heart.
It is a very easy recipe, where the fun part is to get your hands – and mouth – dirty with chocolate! It is therefore suitable for children, who will start shaping the truffles with neat aprons and chubby faces, and finish their dirty work with chocolate mustaches and a large smile!
Ingredients for about 60 – 65 truffles:
- 300 g dark chocolate 60%
- 200 ml cream
- 30 g butter
- 2 tbs tahini
- unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder
Chop the dark chocolate and put it in a small thick bottomed saucepan over low heat. Pour the cream little by little whisking to melt chocolate. Remove from the heat and mix in the butter and the tahini. Pour in a bowl and let rest in the fridge for at least two hours.
After two hours, it’s time for kids to go on stage! Remove the truffle mixture from the fridge and dust generously a large dish with cocoa powder. Kids, roll up your sleeves, wear an apron and be ready to dirt your hands! With a teaspoon make small balls of chocolate mixture, large more or less as a hazelnut. Dust your hands with cocoa powder and roll the truffles in your hands, put them on the dish and roll them again into the cocoa powder.
Let them set in the fridge for two hours, then… the truffles are ready to be eaten or gift-wrapped for your best friends!
Tasting test. The tahini gives to the truffles a deep and intense flavour, nutty and slightly toasted. It enriches the creamy and silky texture, exalting the chocolate flavour… so, believe me, they are worth a try!
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 14:16
Yum! I need a bite right now!!! These truffles look amazing!
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 14:56
An excellent combination! Those truffles look extremely addictive.
Cheers,
Rosa
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 16:20
I’m intrigued! I’ve never had chocolate and tahini together, but now that you mention it, it sounds amazing!
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 18:54
That’s an interesting combination.
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 21:27
These look amazing I will definitely be trying them! My version of Chocolate and Tahini comes from my time living in Istanbul – Nutella and Tahini on freshly baked Pide for breakfast. I can’t wait to try your version!
Also just wanted to say I always seem to land on your blog through Foodgawker. I love your photography, stories and recipes as well as your philosophy and approach to food. I always feel so inspired after visiting your site. THANK YOU!
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marzo 11th, 2011 at 22:11
Those look fantastic. What an interesting way to use tahini!
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marzo 12th, 2011 at 02:38
Wow, you have me going we these little nuggets! I will have to make them! Thank you for the lovely post.
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marzo 13th, 2011 at 14:47
These look incredible! I love nut butters with chocolate – never thought to combine chocolate and tahini. I’ll be trying it out ASAP now.
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marzo 13th, 2011 at 21:28
What a cool flavour combination! I have to try these! ( Or the tart). You’re writing is so happy and fun, it’s really enjoyable to read! Thanks for a gorgeous post!
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marzo 13th, 2011 at 22:55
Lovely truffles and loved the addition of tahini to it. congrats on top 9 !
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marzo 14th, 2011 at 05:50
The powdery combination of this chocolate truffle with milk is simply irresistible! Perhaps it will spark my interest in working with chocolate! Thanks for sharing!
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marzo 14th, 2011 at 13:38
So impressed!~ i love this dish and I could eat all of those in one swift bite! Love it! Congrats on top 9! Would love for you to submit this recipe in my recipe challenge on Wed! If your interested see my blog for more details- just click on the recipe challenge button on the sidebar!
XO
Jessica
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marzo 14th, 2011 at 22:21
Hi Jules, I found your blog through Honest cooking, glad to get to know my fellow contributors
I love your blog and looking forward to following it!
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marzo 14th, 2011 at 22:57
I’ve never had truffles with tahini, but your compelling words have made me a believer! I cannot wait to give this a try in my kitchen.
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marzo 15th, 2011 at 05:01
They look perfectly scrumptious! I’d love some with my afternoon cuppa
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marzo 21st, 2011 at 12:26
Ciao Gilia, I found this “odd but great” combination in Istanbul but never tried it. I made them last Friday for a friend’s birthday and everyone loved them. Just changed the process and a bit tweaked the ratio of ingredients. Thank you for reminding me of the match!
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aprile 21st, 2011 at 09:43
[...] method just described, but eliminating the infusion time. Or you can flavor with the tahini (like Juls) or other cream (chestnuts cream, Nutella etc. [...]
novembre 3rd, 2011 at 08:00
[...] your children into the dirty work of shaping nutty chocolate & tahini truffles, change the spices, add cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and ginger and make them even more [...]