Fruit Salad With Blueberry Glaze And Dark Chocolate Curls Recipes

Steps:

• Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl with the vegetable shortening. Throw it in the microwave until the shortening is melted and hot, 30 to 45 seconds. Stir with a fork to combine thoroughly.
• Next, pour the melted chocolate over the underside of a clean cookie sheet. Then, with an offset spatula or a knife, spread the chocolate in a thin layer. Keep going until it's very, very thin. Then...and this is the key...stick it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• After a few minutes, check that the chocolate is ready by pressing it with your finger tip; it should leave the slightest mark, but not an actual depression.
• Next, get a somewhat sharp-edged spatula and begin to scrape the chocolate from the bottom of the pan. When the chocolate is just the right temperature, it'll curl instead of break. If it gets too soft, stick it back in the freezer for a minute.
• Pretty soon you'll have a bunch of fun little chocolate curls.
• Important: As soon as possible, transfer the curls to a cold pan or plate, and then stick them in the freezer to harden. Store in the freezer in a zip-top bag until you need them. Use them to adorn pies, cakes or platters of fruit. You'll feel instantly fancy!

Steps:

• 1. Drain pineapple, reserve all juice.
• 2. In a small bowl, combine all your fruit. I always squirt some lemon juice over my bananas before adding so they don't get brown and yucky looking. Set aside.
• 3. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, and reserved pineapple juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer till thickened. Remove from heat and add the marmalade or preserves and the lemon juice.
• 4. Let cool for a couple of minutes, then pour the glaze over your fruit and toss gently to coat. Keep in the fridge. It won't last long!!

Steps:

• Drain pineapple and peaches, reserving juices; set aside. Combine the fruit in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine fruit juices with pudding and drink mixes; mix well. Pour over fruit and toss to coat.

Steps:

• *NOTE: Balsamic glaze is available in specialty stores. For easier preparation, use about the amount of vinegar indicated in the recipe and heat on the stove top. Reduce by about 1/3 until syrupy.
• Use a vegetable peeler to shave the dark chocolate. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the peaches, nectarines, raspberries and blackberries.
• Puree the blueberries with the honey, balsamic glaze and ginger. Pour half the blueberry glaze over the fruit and toss gently.
• Divide and arrange the mixed fruit onto 4 salad plates. Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon of chocolate curls.
• Serve the remaining blueberry glaze on the side.

Steps:

• In a heavy 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat 5 squares of chocolate, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth.
• Pour melted chocolate into a 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly roll pan; use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the chocolate from the saucepan.
• With the same rubber spatula, spread the chocolate to evenly cover entire bottom of pan.
• Refrigerate until firm, but not brittle, about 10 minutes.
• Place jelly-roll pan on damp cloth on work surface (damp cloth keeps pan from moving while working).
• Holding teaspoon at a 30 degree angle, scrape chocolate into curls (if chocolate softens and sticks to spoon, place pan in refrigerator several minutes).
• With toothpick, transfer curls to another jelly-roll pan; refrigerate.
• Repeat 4 more times to make 5 batches of curls in all.
• To Garnish Cake with Curls: Using a toothpick as a tool to lift the delicate curls (the heat of your hands will melt or mar them), carefully press chocolate curls onto fresh frosting. (The gooey fresh frosting is the glue that holds the curls in place.)