She Chocolat's Strawberry & Balsamic Truffle

Going to New Zealand? Ever been there?  Besides boasting to be an outdoor lover’s paradise – they have a haven for chocolate lovers.  Chocolates, chocolate classes, food and that’s just the beginning!

She Chocolat's Hot Chocolate

You can shop online, although you should order a lot to make it worth your while.  The Strawberry Balsamic truffle sounds outstanding (Strawberries blended with twenty-five year aged balsamic complimented by a dark ganache, and encased in a dark shell).  The hot chocolate looks like it’s for major chocolate players.  The selections are:  Ginger spice, Yin and Yang, Extra dark, Hazelnut, Mayan Spice, Jaffa, Plain.  Ginger and chocolate are a great combination.

She Chocolat's Chocolate Buffet

The restaurant.  Ah, well, you have to actually go there for that.  They care about your health too! They state:  “It is our great love to cater for your special dietary requirements, including gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, vegetarian, and vegan… “  Gotta love that!  The menu changes seasonally and they also have a separate menu for chocolate!  The summer menu is up now because their seasons are opposite ours being in the southern hemisphere.  They also have a chocolate brunch!

Okay…just go check out their website and see what I’m all excited about!  Anyone want to go?  http://www.shechocolat.com

Three Layer Hazelnut Torte from The Truffle Shop

The Truffle Shop has fantastic truffles, but I think I need to give this a try sometime soon…Three Layer Hazelnut Torte for $27.00 with alternating layers of rich chocolate cake and Hazel liquor and white chocolate truffle filling. http://thetruffleshop.com/zencart/

Lucky Chocolates Hudson Valley Box

Lucky Chocolates are as close as you’re going to get to buying locally and eating sustainably.  Who would have thought this could happen in such a grand manner! You have got to try these! The truffles in this box are made with local farm products and flavors making it easy to give friends and family a delicious taste of the beautiful Hudson Valley! Here’s what’s included in the Hudson Valley Box…

The Box contains 15 pieces made with local flavors including:

The Box contains 15 pieces made with local flavors including:

• Kingston Brewer Keegan Ale’s Mother’s Milk,
• a Strawberry Balsamic truffle using Tea Thyme Farm’s strawberry preserves,
• a dark whiskey truffle with Tuthilltown Gristmill Whiskey,
• a Honeybutter Truffle and a honey filled dark chocolate Honeypot with Olive, NY beekeeper John DeGondia’s honey,
• a dark chocolate 4 leaf clover filled with maple cream from Shaver Hill farm,
• Wine & apple cider pate de fruits,
• a Fresh Mint truffle made with Russ & Donna’s and Skip Arthur’s mint,
• Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans and Coffee Truffles from Real World Coffee Roasters,
• Ridgerunner red wine pate de fruit,
• Pumpkin Pie Truffle, Raspberry Truffle and a Goat Milk Truffle with chevre from Painted Goat Farm which tastes like a rich piece of chocolate cheese cake and not a bit “goaty”…http://www.luckychocolates.com/product/hudson-valley-box/

Truffles: 50 Deliciously Decadent Homemade Chocolate Treats by Dede Wilson

The gourmet chocolate market is growing like gangbusters, and Truffles offers 50 recipes for indulgent chocolate truffles using high-quality chocolate infused with a wide range of fabulous flavorings. Anyone can become a master truffle maker with these clear, easy-to-follow recipes and tips on truffle-making basics, choosing the right chocolate, and decorating and storing truffles. Filled with beautiful 4-color photographs, this is the only book on the market devoted entirely to truffles.