PREVIEWING CHRISTMAS DINNER - #3 Truffle Cups

The truffle cup idea came to me as a way of satisfying that final craving for something sweet and rich after the meal to top off everything else you just enjoyed. Think of it as the wafer-thin mint in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life .

Think of it also as a two part truffle of contrasting textures and harmonious, yet distinct flavors, deconstructed and served in a small glass. The lower portion of the truffle is a medium firm, semi-sweet chocolate ganache made of equal parts (by volume) dark chocolate and heavy cream, and a smaller portion of butter. The upper layer is a panna cotta - sweetened and lightly gelatinized 2% milk.

Some of the flavors we are considering for the ganache include Star Anise , Almond Butter, Rosemary , Lavender and Raspberry. And for the panna cotta: Vanilla, Coconut, Orange peel, Chai and Elderflower . The truffle cups pictured above are vanilla-rosemary.

As you have read, these are not to be taken lightly. I wouldn't say they were 600 calories each, but they are rich. And unlike the man in The Meaning of Life, we would be much happier if you did not explode after eating one.

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