Sunday, August 16, 2009

SMS: Hazelnut Truffles


Thanks to Annie of Living Life Foodcariously, the Sweet Melissa Sundays group made its first foray into the “Favorite Gifts” section of the book with Hazelnut Truffles (click HERE on Annie’s site for the recipe); even though I love the combination of hazelnuts and chocolate, truffles aren’t really a huge favorite of mine (too rich), but I had fun making them and my boyfriend assures me he will have no trouble eating the quarter recipe I made on his own; there was also an irresistible-sounding recipe for Giuanduia (hazelnut-flavored chocolate) Gelato in this month’s issue of Gourmet, so I made that as well – gotta use up the bag of hazelnuts somehow – and it is fabulous.



Gianduia Gelato, from August 2009 issue of Gourmet
2 cups hazelnuts (8 oz), toasted, skins rubbed off, and cooled
¾ cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 ½ cups whole milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (no more than 60% cocoa), finely chopped

Pulse hazelnuts with sugar and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a heavy medium saucepan with milk and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, for 20 minutes.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then return to cleaned saucepan.
Put ¼ cup milk mixture in a small bowl and whisk in cornstarch; add to mixture in saucepan , then bring to boil over medium heat 2 minutes, whisking often (mixture will be thick). Remove from heat and add chocolate, stirring until melted and incorporated. Chill, stirring occasionally, until very cold, 3 to 6 hours (I left mine overnight, so it didn’t get the occasional stir).
Freeze mixture in ice cream maker. (The recipe did not specify how long and I had never made a gelato before, twenty-ish minutes seemed fine). Transfer to an airtight container and freeze to firm up.

21 comments:

Nina said...

the gelato looks so good! I just want to eat it through the computer screen!

Flourchild said...

You made me super hungry for gelato! YOur truffles look great!

Leslie said...

The truffles look great, but gianduja is one of my all time favorite flavors!

Mermaid Sews said...

Wow, what a combination, looks great

Mrs. G said...

Truffles and gelato! Yum!

Unknown said...

Your pictures are wonderful, Margot! Love them! You know, I've never had gelato. I feel like I need to make it before the summer ends and this one sounds terrific!

k.a.r.e.n said...

Gelato & truffles -- how SINFUL!!! You're my kinda cook!

Anonymous said...

The gelato sounds so good! And a truffle or two on top wouldn't hurt either.

Sarah said...

Oh, so yummy looking! I love gelato, but have yet to try my hand at it...

Hanaâ said...

Your truffles look great. What a great idea to pair with the hazelnut ice cream. Too bad they weren't your favorite but at least they won't go to waste :o)

Cristine said...

Truffles and ice cream... YUM!

Lauren said...

so cute! i love the gelato balls with the truffles!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Margot, what a decadent combination- hazelnut truffles and Giuanduia Gelato- that must have made for one intense eating experience!

I'm super excited to be hosting SMS this week, and I really hope you will bake along with me- it just wouldn't be the same without you! Hope you're doing well, and I look forward to talking to you again soon. Say hello to Eloise for me, and let me know what you guys think of the pupcakes! Have a great rest of your week :)

-Joy

spike. said...

ice cream and truffles, yum!

Jeannette said...

your truffles and gelato look awesome!! i bet they were a match made in heaven!

Cakelaw said...

Fabulous truffles - and devine gelato!!! You can't do this to me - I will think about these all day.

Stephanie said...

mmmm Gianduia Gelato! That was another one of my favorite gelato flavors while I was living in Italia!! SLURP, this may be too dangerous for me to prepare in my house, I'd probably eat the whole thing far too quickly. :) Looks great!

Megan said...

Um, if you have any leftover truffles, you can send them my way!

Melissa said...

Oh my goodness, these look so amazing!

Karin said...

I will definitely have to try that gelato recipe- hazelnuts are one of my favorites! These were very rich- I could only eat a half at a time.

Anonymous said...

Your truffles look fantastic! And the gelato is a perfect pair.