I strongly believed that christmas has no faith or religion its universal just like New Year.I had quite a fuzzy childhood when it came to faith.I went to a catholic school and Jesus was all over even under the desk. When I came home there were chants and charms all over…Psst that’s my overtly religious mom.My dad who never prayed but was not an atheist either and I like any other child collected the cream-de-la of every faith and religion.You know what I mean good food,sweets,gifts and fun and that in my words is faith.That’s the same reason I strongly believed that Santa exists and as drilled into my head he would ride a sleigh with a jingle bell and come dropping presents into my stocking which was my humble school 5-inches above the ankle sock (Every convent educated girl would understand..read between the lines).
Every christmas eve I would diligently hang up my brand new socks near my bed but santa never came.Why he did not come is a long story to tell.But I never lost faith and when I asked my teacher she would day that “Santa lost his way” but he would surely come to my school and he ceremoniously came for 12 long years of school.
Years later I started studying and got into the mad rat race of competition.Earning a living was the most important thing. I think I didn’t know when Christmas just brushed by. But when the stork delivered my little urchin, I realised that I had made my Santa lose his way.I became determined that moment on that the magic needs to go on.But for our little cherub’s everything is so new and sincere.We as parents give them the faith which they will cherish for years.Faith is not about visiting churches or temples.Its about rejoicing togetherness.My faith is the lights, the smells and the songs which comes with every festival. Can you see a bumble bee buzz by? No it travels so fast that you can only see a blur.Well, thats how Santa is….a blurry paradox just as the understanding of how we exist; and we cannot rely on rationality.My parents were a two sides of a coin….a strong believer and the other a rationale…and i think that gave us our equilibrium.But I want to exercise non-rationality and do make believe.
I have my tallest christmas tree purchased.I am still collecting my baubles from every nook and corner.My wreath is half made and this time I have a name engraved stocking which is life size to inflate with all that my girl desires.Bring it on christmas I am all geared. I am doing this tried and tested recipe for a dear friend who wants to make it special for her son.So enjoy my today’s recipe Dark chocolate truffle cake and it is absolutely gooey and alcohol free.Cocoa is a fruit of a tree so in short chocolate is vegetable. Don’t forget the five of your day. 🙂
- For the cake
- 140g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids
- 140g butter, cut into pieces
- 2 tsp coffee (I used Nescafe Azera)
- 50g self-raising flour
- 50g plain flour
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 140g light brown sugar
- 140g caster sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 10-12 small chocolate truffles for decoration
- For the dark chocolate ganache
- 300ml double cream
- 2 tsp icing sugar
- 150g dark chocolate, very finely chopped
- Heat oven to 160C. Butter and base-line a cake tin. Put the chocolate and butter for the cake in a saucepan. Mix the coffee with 50ml water, then pour into the pan. Warm through over a low heat, just to melt – be careful not to overheat.
- While the chocolate melts, mix both flours with the bicarbonate of soda, both sugars and the cocoa. Break down any lumps in the sugar with your fingers. Beat the eggs in a jug. Pour this and the melted chocolate over the flour mixture, then stir everything together – the mix will be very soft. Pour it into the tin, then bake for about 1½ hrs, or until firm on top. Let the cake cool in the tin (it may crack if you turn it out too soon), then loosen the sides and carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the dark chocolate icing, heat the cream with the sugar just to boiling. Remove from the heat, tip in the chocolate.Let the chocolate melt and mix well.Leave to cool and thicken a little.
- When the cake is completely cold, place it into the fridge to chill (this makes it easier to slice). Take the cake out of the fridge and turn it over so the flat base becomes the top of the cake. Slice the cake horizontally into two. Sandwich back together with the dark chocolate icing, not quite up to the edges.
- Put the cake on a wire rack with parchment paper underneath (to catch any drips). Pour and spread the icing all over the cake. Leave to set slightly, then arrange the truffles.Pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes and serve.
