It’s a bright weekend. Thankfully, weatherman’s prediction of rains does not come out true. A pleasing sound of splash gets our attention. The sound grows and becomes really clear and loud. We know the source. Almost half a dozen Himalayan Bulbuls are around our bird bath.
Some bathing, some patiently waiting for their turn, some constantly alighting and then vanishing in the branches and some chirruping in the Mango tree, perhaps waiting for their turn or prodding their brethren to hurry up.
It is a pleasure to watch them.
Wet, wooly, preening and tweeting in high notes and shaking water off them, thus creating a spray of mist.
It has been 24 hours since we made Candied Orange peels. Prepared peels are resting on the rack. We check for doneness. The peels are hard and ready to be rolled in sugar. My daughter does the needful.
A handful of peels are chopped into small pieces. These will go into the chocolate that is planned to be made. By evening, Orange Peel dark Chocolate in made. It comes out delicious.
Orange and Chocolate make a great pair. Delicious homemade chocolates are ready for the chocoholics in us!
Orange Peel Dark Chocolates
1 cup milk powder
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
¼ cup (½ stick) butter
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons candied orange peels
Method
Mix milk powder and cocoa powder and pass it through a fine mesh strainer.
Chop candied orange peels.
Make syrup with sugar and water and boil till it reaches one string consistency (this consistency is
very important else, the chocolate will not set). Add butter to the syrup at this stage. Turn off the heat.
Add milk powder and cocoa mix in parts, mixing well after each addition. Add peels.
Mix till a homogenous mixture forms. Mix well. Empty the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread it to uniform thickness. Level the top with a greased spatula. Leave to cool.
Turn the pan on a tray, tap the bottom gently. Slice the chocolate, store in an airtight container.
How lovely to see the birds bathing. Nature is so amazing. You all are so lucky to be enjoying the joys of nature. The orange peel chocolate must have been amazing. Loved the fact that you made chocolate from scratch. Shall try this method.
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