How to use chocolate in savoury dishes and recipes to try
Finding the right chocolate combinations
In exploring chocolate-infused savoury dishes, there was trial and error, the Dubys agree, especially at the beginning. "Now we know 90-plus per cent what's going to work," says Dominique. In addition to their experience, the Dubys do flavour research with the University of British Columbia, and often work with a scientific approach to flavour and the blending of ingredients.
As for the ideas for the book, a lot of them came from pastry, says Dominique. "Certain flavours work well -- cherries, almonds, port wine -- that is something you can do in the sweet side of cooking, and we converted and added a savoury element to make it a savoury dish. Instead of having a mousse, it was a piece of roasted duck."
Another concept they explored was abandoning the separation between the main meal and dessert. "We don't believe that there should be such a distinct difference between the savoury and the sweet," Dominique says. "Why not have a sorbet, something that's cold, and have it with a salad, something semi-sweet/savoury, then another savoury item with a sweet note like chocolate?"
In exploring chocolate-infused savoury dishes, there was trial and error, the Dubys agree, especially at the beginning. "Now we know 90-plus per cent what's going to work," says Dominique. In addition to their experience, the Dubys do flavour research with the University of British Columbia, and often work with a scientific approach to flavour and the blending of ingredients.
As for the ideas for the book, a lot of them came from pastry, says Dominique. "Certain flavours work well -- cherries, almonds, port wine -- that is something you can do in the sweet side of cooking, and we converted and added a savoury element to make it a savoury dish. Instead of having a mousse, it was a piece of roasted duck."
Another concept they explored was abandoning the separation between the main meal and dessert. "We don't believe that there should be such a distinct difference between the savoury and the sweet," Dominique says. "Why not have a sorbet, something that's cold, and have it with a salad, something semi-sweet/savoury, then another savoury item with a sweet note like chocolate?"
How to start using chocolate in savoury dishes
In their book, the Dubys offer several-course meal ideas incorporating chocolate, but they stress that there's no need to spend hours slaving over dinner just to experiment. "You don't have to make everything," Cindy says, noting that many of the recipes in the book offer easy versions for quicker cooking. "You can just make the fish with the rub," she says (see Seared Tuna with Spiced Cocoa Rub recipe below), and steam vegetables for a side dish. Or, if you're making the duck dish below, she suggests making extra sauce and freezing it for another time.
"You build based on the amount of knowledge you already have," adds Dominique. "There are lots of ideas for the home chef." So start with the recipes below, explore the idea of using cocoa butter as a fat for cooking, and get creative!
Recipes to try
-Fried Duck with Chocolate Port Reduction
-Seared Tuna with Spiced Cocoa Rub
Visit our Valentine's Day special section for recipes, relationship advice, gift ideas, fun e-cards and more.
Page 2 of 2
In their book, the Dubys offer several-course meal ideas incorporating chocolate, but they stress that there's no need to spend hours slaving over dinner just to experiment. "You don't have to make everything," Cindy says, noting that many of the recipes in the book offer easy versions for quicker cooking. "You can just make the fish with the rub," she says (see Seared Tuna with Spiced Cocoa Rub recipe below), and steam vegetables for a side dish. Or, if you're making the duck dish below, she suggests making extra sauce and freezing it for another time.
"You build based on the amount of knowledge you already have," adds Dominique. "There are lots of ideas for the home chef." So start with the recipes below, explore the idea of using cocoa butter as a fat for cooking, and get creative!
Recipes to try
-Fried Duck with Chocolate Port Reduction
-Seared Tuna with Spiced Cocoa Rub
Visit our Valentine's Day special section for recipes, relationship advice, gift ideas, fun e-cards and more.
Page 2 of 2
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