Sausage Of Chocolate Recipes

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. In another medium bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter with an electric hand mixer until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in the melted chocolate, coffee and cocoa powder until thoroughly combined, scraping the bowl as needed. Stir in the biscotti, pistachios and walnuts.
• Pour the chocolate mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 2 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. Roll until the log is completely covered in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• When ready to serve, remove the chocolate salami from the plastic wrap and dust with the confectioners' sugar. Wrap with butcher's twine for an authentic salami look.

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the almonds, walnuts and crushed biscotti in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until the nuts are lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely.
• Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof medium bowl and place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 6 minutes. Stir in the coffee until smooth. Add the almonds, walnuts, biscotti pieces and orange zest, and stir until combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until firm but moldable, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Divide the chocolate mixture in half. Place half of the mixture in the center of an 18-inch-long piece of plastic wrap. Using a spatula, form the mixture into a log, about 7 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Roll up the log in the plastic and twist the ends to seal. Roll back and forth on a work surface a few times to make the log evenly round. Repeat with the remaining chocolate mixture. Refrigerate the logs until firm, about 1 hour.
• Spread the confectioners' sugar on a dinner plate. Remove the plastic wrap from the logs, then roll them in the sugar until coated. Using a pastry brush, brush away the excess sugar. Let the logs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve.
• Cook's Note: The dessert can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 25 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa, sugar and water. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Steps:

• In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter together.
• Roast almonds until lightly browned in 350 degree F (180 C) oven.
• Soak nuts and dried fruit in liqueur, then add grated orange peel.
• Stir nut mixture into melted chocolate mixture and transfer to a clean, flat surface.
• Using your hands, roll chocolate mixture into a long sausage shape, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill.
• Just before serving, remove plastic and roll sausage in sugar to give it the look of a meat sausage.
• Slice into 16 cookie-like slices and serve at once.