How about spicing up your favorite chocolate cake with a dash of cayenne pepper? Why mix these two flavors you would say, but believe me, these hot, spicy chocolate dishes are definitely worth the deal. Let story tickle your taste buds with these spicy chocolate dishes.
'Choco accolades' for this... Aztec Emperor Montezuma drank 50 golden goblets of hot chocolate, dyed red and flavored with chili peppers, every day.
From time immemorial, chocolate has played a special role in appeasing the taste buds.
You can actually trace back the history of chocolate to the Mesoamerican's, with evidence of cacao beverages dating back to 1900 BC. If the Aztecs and the Mayans are to be followed, then chocolate translates into food served as a tribute to the Gods. Way back then, chocolate drinks were served during sacred ceremonies.
The term 'chocolate' is said to have been derived from the Yucatec Maya word 'chokol' meaning hot, and the Nahuatl 'atl' meaning water. As sugar was unavailable back then, the Aztecs used different spices and chili peppers to flavor their cocoa which, as we know, is bitter. Undoubtedly, God's food, the chocolate drink was believed to be a health elixir, and was served to combat fatigue.
That's about where we should detour from history and get back to the science of eating chocolates. Now, having spices in your chocolate may seem alien to some, but trust me, it really tastes quiet amazing.
The basic ingredients common to any spicy chocolate dish are, cinnamon powder, pepper or chilies either ground or whole and, of course, chocolate. I bet you are salivating with the mere mention of chocolates and its ingredients. Let's get started with these heavenly treats then...
Ingredients needed for spicy chocolate dishes.
Hot n Spicy Chocolate Cake
You will need
1½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
½ cup butter/ vegetable oil
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp white vinegar/wine
2 tsp. cinnamon powder
2 tsp. coffee powder (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla essence
¾ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
¼ tsp. salt
Method
Sift the flour with baking soda and cocoa (and coffee). Stir in the sugar, cinnamon powder, cayenne powder and salt. Add the butter, water, vinegar and vanilla essence and beat well to get a thick batter. Pour into a preheated pan, and bake at 350° F, till the pick comes out clean in the center. Cool the cake and serve with a dollop of cream or sifted with confectioners' sugar.
Hot Chocolate
You will need
4 cups milk
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch cayenne powder
Splash hot water
Method
Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir till properly blended. Heat vanilla and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat when it begins to boil for 6 to 8 minutes. Add the dry mix into the milk stirring vigorously until dissolved. Add water if you feel it is too thick. Serve hot, garnished with cinnamon sticks.
Chocolate Barks
You will need
1½ cup of dark chocolate pieces
½ cup unsalted pistachios (or nuts of your choice)
¾ tsp. cinnamon powder
¾ tsp. ancho chili powder
1 pinch cayenne powder
dash of sea salt
Method
Line a baking tray with foil and keep aside. Toast the nuts on a medium heat in a heavy-bottomed skillet. Add the cinnamon, chili and cayenne and stir, sprinkle with salt and allow to cool. Melt half the chocolate in a double boiler on medium heat. Once melted, add the remaining chocolate and stir. Add the toasted nuts and stir. Pour chocolate onto baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Break into pieces and serve.
Chipotle Chocolate Chili
You will need
2 cans pinto beans
2 chipotle chilies, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 ¼ cup ground turkey breast
1½ cup diced tomatoes
1½ cup chicken broth
1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. ancho chili powder
1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin powder
½ tsp. black pepper
Chopped green onions (optional)
Method
Saute the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and turkey, till the vegetables are tender and the meat has turned brown. Add sugar, chili powder, cocoa, cumin and pepper powder, pinto beans, tomatoes, broth and chipotle chilies to the meat, and stir.
Bring to boil and simmer on slow, for 15 minutes, keep stirring to avoid the mix from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add chocolate and stir to blend it in. Serve, topped with green onions and sour cream.
Chicken Mole
You will need
8 Chicken Thighs (as per serving)
3 garlic cloves
2 ancho chilies
2 onions chopped
1 red onion rings
1¾ cup chopped tomatoes
¼ cup dark chocolate
¼ cup sour cream
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. peanut butter
2 tsp. ground cumin
1½ tsp. cinnamon
Juice of 1 Lime
Method
Blanch the chilies in boiling water for 20 min. Season the chicken and brown on all sides and remove aside. Saute onions and spices and cook till it leaves a wonderful aroma. Discard the seeds and stalk of the chilies, and process with garlic, add a bit of the water used for blanching, and make a smooth paste.
Add peanut butter, chipotle paste, tomatoes and water to the pan and simmer. Add the chicken and simmer on slow heat for 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the gravy, add the chocolate, and allow the sauce to thicken. Add the chicken and a bit of the water used to blanch chilies. Serve hot with rice, sour cream, lime wedges and onion rings.
That's about the recipes that you can try as of now. There are plenty of chocolate recipes that you can spice up with a bit of chili and sweeten up with a bit of chocolate. That is if sweet and spicy is what your taste buds fancy, otherwise, you can be content enjoying your bar of chocolate after a real spicy meal.