Chocolate Fantasies!

There are few things more sensual than chocolate. First there's the whole chocolate aphrodisiac thing, and it's mimicry of endorphins - the pleasure hormones. And then there's the rich, smooth and creamy texture to it that literally melts in your mouth and leaves you craving for more.

Known as the "Love Chemical", romantic lore has always identified chocolate as an aphrodisiac indulging in the simple pleasure of consumption. Some reports say that since all chocolate was recognized as stimulants, were denied to women. Other studies say that the Aztecs and Mayans were some of the first to recognize its potency and celebrated the harvest of cacao with festivals of orgies. For all we know, both may be true. As I see it, if you want all those women craving for love, why would you deny it to them in the first place? Also, as we stand today, this lore has carried on for centuries and ended up in our bedrooms as the perfect plaything for couples. Experimenting around with chocolate(and not just in the kitchen or at the dinner table...ahem ahem....) has been, and still is one of the most arousing and stimulating bedroom games couples can indulge in. There's just so much that can be done with chocolate, solid or molten, which of course we shall not be going into for reasons best left unspoken. Eaten enough chocolate? It also acts as an amazing massage oil. Rub it on your body after a nice hot bath and wash off after a few minutes for a relaxing yet invigorating experience.





As someone said, with chocolate size truly does not matter. All is welcome and enjoyed equally. It can be eaten anywhere, anytime and with anyone, perfectly elucidated by Dairy Milk's tagline

khane walo ko khane ka bahana chahiye!
(those who love chocolate look for an excuse to eat it.)

It possesses the ability to lift our spirits, inflame and release sexual passion and build positive energy. What more does someone want than a mood-elevating, stimulating, enjoyable and thoroughly tasty and keeps-you-wanting-more experience?

Here's a few reasons why you SHOULD have chocolate:

1. You are never too young for chocolate, and definitely never too old. It can be had and enjoyed by one and all.

2. It's the best gift for every occassion, be it a birthday gift, a gift of love or just a simple thank you, chocolates are made for every reason and every season.

3. It brings the best thing in the world to a person - A smile! :)

4. You can have chocolate anywhere, even at your workplace, and no one has any problem with it. In fact it's even better when shared with others. The more the merrier they say.

5. You can have as many or as much as you can handle, as long as you know how much you can handle in the first place :P


Finally, I shall leave you guys with a recipe for my favourite kind of chocolate - Dark Chocolate Mousse. Enjoy the finger licking, taste-bud tingling and addictive goodness of the finest food of all, chocolate!

• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) unsalted butter, diced
• 2 tablespoons espresso or hot water
• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Preparation

Combine the chocolate, butter, and espresso in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not simmering, water, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool until the chocolate is just slightly warmer than body temperature. To test, dab some chocolate on your bottom lip. It should feel warm. If it is too cool, the mixture will seize when the other ingredients are added.

Meanwhile, whip the cream to soft peaks, then refrigerate. Once the melted chocolate has cooled slightly, whip the egg whites in a medium bowl until they are foamy and beginning to hold a shape. Sprinkle in the sugar and beat until soft peaks form.

When the chocolate has reached the proper temperature, stir in the yolks. Gently stir in about one-third of the whipped cream. Fold in half the whites just until incorporated, then fold in the remaining whites, and finally the remaining whipped cream.

Spoon or pipe the mousse into a serving bowl or individual dishes. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. (The mousse can be refrigerated for up to a day.)

-sourced from Epicurious