11/16/09

dark chocolate balsamic truffles

When I saw Giada make this on her show, I fell in love instantly. I tried it her way, and was a bit bored with it, so I decided to kick it up a notch by rolling them in crushed salty pistachios. Wow, what a difference it made. I'm certain it was the extra salt in the pistachios and the actual crunchy texture that pulled it all together. This is a very rich truffle, so you only need a little bite to satisfy your chocolate craving. After all 70% cacao is an instant fix of chocolate cravings. These would be the perfect holiday gift to give to your friends and family that are foodies.
Note: I did not want to roll them into balls, I wanted a more rustic look since I added on the pistachios. I'm certain using crushed, salted almonds would work too. I don't know about peanuts though--I think the balsamic might not meld well with peanuts.

dark chocolate balsamic truffles
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

8 1/2 ounces good quality dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup cocoa powder (I did not roll them in cocoa powder, I rolled them in about ½ cup of chopped salty pistachios)

Melt the chocolate and cream in a double boiler over hot but not simmering water.
Place melted chocolate in a small bowl. Stir in the balsamic vinegar.
Cool the chocolate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 2 hours, until firm but moldable.
Use a teaspoon to scoop out chocolate. Use your fingertips to shape into balls about the size of a cherry. Set the chocolate balls on a parchment-lined tray.
Place the cocoa powder in a small shallow dish. (this is where I used my chopped salty pistachios instead of the cocoa powder).
Place 6 truffles at a time in the cocoa powder (or the chopped pistachios) and roll the truffles around to coat, and return the coated truffles to the baking sheet.
Continue with the remaining truffles. Place the truffles in a serving dish or airtight package.

42 comments:

  1. Oh wow, total food porn. I love that you added pistachios. I bet they taste incredible.

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  2. ah! I saw that picture and instantly though- pistachios and chocolate are a FANTASTIC combo. Way to kick it up a notch girl. Hope you had a nice weekend

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  3. Love the added pistachios. Makes them pretty:) Perfect for a holiday gift!

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  4. I must have missed that show- but I love they way you improved the recipe. Those colorful pistachios (which I love anyway) against the almost black chocolate is giving me heart palpitations!

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  5. I like your way much better than hers! Those are gorgeous.

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  6. You know I love Giada's recipes!! Except your adaptations came out much better than mine ever could, haha :-D

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  7. Would loooove me some of those! They're so pretty!

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  8. Too delicious for words...love the pistachio idea...

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  9. i would love the salty crunch provided by the pistachios, and i adore your rustic twist. yeah, much of what giada does is snooze-worthy (but often quite tasty).

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  10. Chocolate and pistachios...two of my favorite things. I've had the base recipe before...I would love to try it with pistachios.

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  11. I've literally stared at the picture for 5 minutes straight. I wish we had those food replications that they had on star trek. Someone needs to invent it STAT!!

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  12. It probably is the salt that brings it all together. Of course you can't go wrong with salt and chocolate.

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  13. I love the colour contrast of the pistachios and chocolate. You always find ways to make everything better!

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  14. lovely photography (as always)...what i like is that your truffles are rustic & not perfectly round. you kicked it up more than a notch with the pistachios!

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  15. Those would be great for a Xmas party. They look deliciously good.

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  16. I saw this on her show as well. Sounds good! I like the rustic look as well.

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  17. I love the sound of these truffles. Such great chocolate comforts :)

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  18. Oh geez these look heavenly and addicting and all that other wonderful stuff! Yum!!

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  19. Ohh so you think I could only have a bit of one of these? You obviously dont know my chocolate eating powers that I bear!
    And you are such a rebel..not rolling them into balls and all!
    They look delicious Dawn!

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  20. I'm not a chocolate lover but I think I'd like to have one of these. Now, if only I lived close by...

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  21. A great gift idea! we love to make bourbon balls as well

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  22. Gorgeous, as always. Love the pistachios and rustic was the way to go. I'm making these for my oldest daughter for Christmas. She loves truffles and we're doing a homemade Christmas this year.

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  23. Yum! Pistachios are a perfect addition!

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  24. Mmm, what a yummy sounding combo. I didn't see that episode either. Gonna have to try that. I LOVE chocolate and I love balsamic. Nuts--even better!

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  25. Love the sound of these. I find that often her recipes are underseasoned, so I'm not surprised about these truffles. The pistachios look beautiful, too.

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  26. These are stunning. I like that you didn't roll them into balls too. It looks so rich and easy to eat!

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  27. These look delicious! I love how adding a bit of salt to chocolate can make them so WOW! I eat a LOT of chocolate & even when it's 70% cocoa, I can still eat quite a bit of it :)

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  28. I just saw your comment at Scary Mommy's and this name just POPPED off the page at me. I was like I must go over immediately and see what these truffles are all about. Nothing about them does not sound good : ) : ) They look perfect!

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  29. Balsamic and Pistachio? I am sold!!!!!!!!

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  30. almost looks a little like bark ;) whatever shape or form, I'm loving the addition of balsamic here. are you ever in boston?? i know you're close ;)

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  31. It was certainly interesting for me to read the article. Thank author for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.

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  32. I saw her make these too and was wondering how the balsamic enhanced or complimented the chocolate. Sheer genius adding the pistachios...I'm going to give these a try!

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  33. I always make truffles as gifts for the holidays and I'll be bookmarking this version for sure. Love the shapes!

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  34. Balsamic and chocolate, didn't see that one coming but you know, it sounds like it works perfectly together. Like the addition of the nuts!

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  35. Ooooh - gorgeous!!! LOVE the pistachios!

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  36. Only 4 ingredients? Love it! Looks delicious!

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  37. It's amazing that such delicious decadence comes from just 4 ingredients! Both your substitution of pistachios and not rolling the truffles into spheres were brilliant - they look marvelous.

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  38. I haven't had an appetite lately but as soon as I see your header my stomach starts screaming. Lol! Thank you SO, SO much for your well wishes. We are all mending...Mocha more slowly. She's still weak and lost weight (from not eating for 2 1/2 days) but as of yesterday she is eating a lot! Drinking as well..on her own. A few days I had to syringe feed her water. *sigh* She's more alert as well so I am praying she will gain her strength. She even ate tons of white chicken breast. :) Her favorite. Five months ago we did a full panel test, blood, stool..everything and found nothing. *sigh* So they just said it was IBD due to maybe food change or stress (ya, Emma, lol).

    I will keep you updated but I wanted to come by and thank you ever so much for thinking of us!!!

    Lots of love and hugs...

    Michelle, Mocha, Quincy and Emma :)

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  39. pistachios + dark chocolate?? heavenly.

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  40. Anything dark chocolate becomes my instant favorite :D

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  41. these look fantastic! I don't know how I missed this episode, but I think I need to make these. I love pistachios + chocolate.

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