Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Kicking Off the Holiday Season with Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur and Special Edition Truffles (Review)

Marie Belle

Thanksgiving was made even better this year, as I was not only sent a limited edition box of Hazelnut Liqueur Holiday Truffles from celebrity chocolatier, MarieBelle, but also received a bottle of Frangelico liqueur to try out new cocktail and dessert recipes.  I love experimenting with new cocktails, and pairing them with desserts.  So, I was excited when I recently stumbled across this recipe for chocolate Frangelico truffles:



"Homemade truffles are easy to make and can be prepared up to 2 weeks in advance. In this recipe, they receive a double dose of hazelnut flavoring, in the liqueur and in the nut coating. Keep the truffles in the freezer until just before serving. For a fuller, dark chocolate taste, use bittersweet chocolate in place of the semisweet."

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. semisweet chocolate
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 to 3 tsp. Frangelico liqueur
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup finely ground hazelnuts

Directions:

Cut the chocolate into 1-inch pieces. Place in the top pan of a double boiler set over but not touching gently simmering water. Stir as the chocolate melts. When it is melted, stir in the cream, mixing well.

Remove the top pan from the heat and let the chocolate cool until nearly firm, 2 to 3 hours. Stir the Frangelico into the cooled chocolate.


Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Using a melon baller, scoop out rounds of chocolate, placing them on the tray. When all the chocolate has been used, cover the chocolate balls with aluminum foil and place the tray in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 weeks.


A few hours before serving, remove the truffles from the freezer. Place the cocoa powder in a small shallow bowl and the ground nuts in a separate bowl. Roll the frozen balls first in the cocoa and then in the hazelnuts, coating them evenly each time and handling them as little as possible. As each ball is coated, return it to the tray. Then return the tray to the freezer.


About 15 minutes before serving, remove the tray from the freezer and arrange the truffles on a serving platter. Makes about 40 truffles; serves 14 to 16.


Adapted from Williams-Sonoma
Entertaining with the Seasons (Free Press, 2010). 




While the box of four holiday truffles didn't last the night, as my husband and I had two each, I held off on trying the Frangelico liqueur until Thanksgiving.  The truffles, which are available nationwide, "offer a decadent taste of Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, combined with rich dark chocolate and layered with notes of vanilla, coffee and almond."  Mmm, I am getting hungry just thinking about them.  And, in the spirit of giving, a portion of the proceeds from this special-edition Frangelico truffle will be donated to Bideawee, one of the country's oldest and most respected animal welfare and pet adoption organizations.  "For more than 100 years, Bideawee has cultivated and supported the life-long relationships between pets and the people who love them."  Look how the special edition truffles came packaged -- with either a dog or cat face, which I found adorable.
FRANGELICO HAZELNUT LIQUEUR TRUFFLES / Frangelico Charity Truffles. (PRNewsFoto/Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur)


I wanted to not only try out the above truffle recipe, but also had copied down a few cocktail recipes that I wanted to serve to guests after dinner.

Here is one of the cocktails I used the Frangelico liqueur recipe, and was a huge hit with family and friends.  They kept asking for seconds, and thirds. :-)  

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"The Frangelico Truffle cocktail was created by leading Spirits Expert James Moreland. Hazelnut flavor continues to increase in popularity. At only 128 calories per cocktail – it is the perfect way for everyone to enjoy guilt free decadence this holiday."

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Frangelico
  • 1 oz SKYY vodka
  • ¾ oz of espresso

Instructions

Shake with ice, served chilled up in a cocktail or martini glass.
Dust with dark chocolate shavings.
Courtesy Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur


So, how did the truffles come out?  They were so easy to make and also didn't last the night.  Paired with the Frangelico liqueur cocktails, they made for a great evening, and really got everyone into the holiday spirit.  A few family members said they would be picking up a few bottles of Frangelico liqueur to add to their bars and wine cabinets, as they work well with everything, and can even be enjoyed straight from the bottle.  



So, if you like stocking your bar with flavorful and unique liqueurs, why not consider picking up a bottle or two of Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur?  The liqueur even goes well when added to your coffee. :-)  And, if you like to support animal welfare causes, you can purchase a box of the special edition Frangelico truffles. "On sale for a limited time only, the Frangelico MarieBelle truffles come in a signature red gift box with ribbon, available in 4-piece, 9-piece, 16-piece and 25-piece gift boxes, with prices starting at $15.00.  The special edition Frangelico charity truffles will be available at the MarieBelle chocolate boutique in New York City and online at http://www.mariebelle.com/ from November through January 2013."

For more information on Frangelico, please visit www.Facebook.com/Frangelico or FrangelicoUSA.com.


About Frangelico
Frangelico, the hazelnut liqueur, can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, on the rocks with a squeeze of lime or as a central flavor component in delicious dessert cocktails.  Surprisingly light and smooth, Frangelico’s taste has been recognized and honored by a gold medal and “Exceptional” score of “90” – the highest score in its category – by the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute (BTI).  Its decadent flavor notes add depth to innovative signature cocktails like the Iced Chocolate Cake and the Nuts N’ Berries or to classics like Frangelico N’ Coffee. Frangelico retails for approximately $24.99 and is available at fine restaurants, bars and retailers nationwide.


About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world’s finest whiskies since the 1800’s.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaça and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland’s® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.


Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Bideawee
Bideawee, which means “stay awhile,” in Scottish, is one of the country’s oldest and most respected animal welfare and pet adoption organizations. Founded in 1903, Bideawee has been cultivating and supporting the life‐long relationships between pets and the people that love them for more than 100 years. Bideawee provides an array of high touch services including adoption centers, animal hospitals, pet therapy programs, and pet memorial parks that serve pets and pet lovers on their lifelong journey together. Bideawee is a not‐for‐profit 501(c) 3 humane animal organization and 100% of Bideawee’s funding comes from private sources. Bideawee operates one facility in New York City and two on Long Island, one in Wantagh, and one in Westhampton. For more information visit: www.bideawee.org.


About MarieBelle
Since 2000, Maribel Lieberman has been pleasing connoisseurs with her unique collection of rare and delicate chocolates and confections at her retail boutique in Soho, New York. Her passion for chocolate is rooted in her upbringing in the cocoa fields of Honduras and is inspired by the exotic tropical fruits and flavors that delighted her as a child. A skilled chef, educated as a designer, Maribel fuses both of these passions together in her creations.



Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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