At one time, cocoa beans were prized so highly they were used as currency and only the privileged could enjoy what the Aztecs knew as ‘xocoatl’. Nowadays, high-quality chocolate is widely available in many different delicious forms to an increasingly discerning market. In this delightfully decadent book, the UK’s premier chocolatier William Curley presents the ultimate master class for all things chocolate.
Couture Chocolate first examines the origins of one of the world’s most popular foods –explaining the method of creating chocolate, how its quality depends to a large extent on the variety of bean used, and the differences between plain, milk and white chocolates. It reveals how some of today’s most popular flavours –such as vanilla and chilli- were those favoured by the pioneering Aztec chocolatiers centuries ago.
In the chocolate master class, William shares his techniques and most mouth-watering recipes, starting with the basics: tempering and making a bar of chocolate; advice on how to add exotic flavours like rosemary or raspberry; and introducing different textures. Once those skills have been mastered, it’s time to tackle some of his incredible creations…
His delectable recipes are helpfully grouped into sections:
‘Truffles and Filled Chocolates’ examines the science behind creating the perfect truffle, making ganache and adding fabulous flavours; ‘Couture Chocolates’ looks at experimental (but delicious) fillings such as apricot and wasabi, sea salt caramel, black rice vinegar and thyme; ‘Bouches and Small Delights’ covers blackcurrant tea cake, chocolate rochers and millionaire shortbread; ‘Patisserie’ explores chocolate and praline Paris Brest, chocolate financier with passion fruit curd, chocolate mille-fuille and more; ‘Cakes and Biscuits’ boasts chocolate and pistachio cake, macaroons, sable and chocolate rosette with orange ganache; and finally ‘Chocolate Ices, Drinks, Sauces and Spread’ looks at a huge variety, including Gianduja chocolate, Tahitian vanilla and golden chestnut.
With its unique recipes and sumptuous photographs, Couture Chocolate delivers a lifetime’s worth of culinary excitement and experimentation into your kitchen. With William Curley as a guide, you need never eat a bland dessert again.
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‘William Curley is a chocolatier extraordinaire. Find out all you need to know about the cocoa bean and drool over his stunning recipes.'
(Sainsbury's magazine )‘Handsomely produced volume, filled with alluring images…its ample collection of recipes and techniques really does offer the ‘masterclass in chocolate’ its dust jacket claims. A book to savour and one which will inspire chocolate lovers everywhere.’
(www.chocolatier.co.uk )‘The definitive chocolate book for 2011…an exquisite book, packed full of stunning photography and easy to follow recipes.’
(www.womentalking.co.uk )‘Stunning photography entices the reader at every turn of the page. This is a beautiful book that will appeal to all levels of chefs and chocolate makers. It’s a must-have for anyone serious about chocolate, whether you are a beginner or a professional.’
(Caterer & Hotelkeeper )‘Beautiful, stylish and exciting…I simply love this book’
(Chocablog.com )‘Superbly illustrated with mouthwatering photography…exquisite recipes’
(Amerrierworld.wordpress.com )'The Best 50 Cookbooks of 2011'
(Huffingtonpost.com )‘Wins the prize for most beautiful book of the year. Stunning.’
(Foodandwinefinds.blogspot.com )Winner 'Cookbook of the Year' Guild of Food Writer's Awards 2011
Shortlisted 'Food Book of the Year' Andre Simon Awards 2011
Shortlisted 'Best Chocolate Book in the World' Gourmand Awards 2011
Review
'William Curley is one of the great chocolatiers. By combining flawless technique and wonderfully exciting creativity he literally brings chocolate to life.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By SL Trivuncic
Format:Hardcover
For most people this is very advanced and would see little further action than oo-ing and arr-ing on the coffee table, however if you were someone wanting to set up their own chocolate business this publication would be an inspiring and beautiful textbook.
After explaining the history and methods making chocolate the recipes are broken down into;
truffles and filled chocolates: making ganache, the science of the perfect truffle, adding fabulous flavours
couture chocolates: experimental fillings such as apricot and wasabi, black rice vinegar
"bouches" and small delights: chocolate rochers, millionaire's shortbread;
pâtisserie: chocolate and praline Paris Brest, chocolate financiers, chocolate mielle feuile and more;
chocolate ices, drinks, sauces and spreads.
William's partner is Japanese and the fusion of chocolate with Japanese ingredients is one of the things that gives him his signature style.
This book would make a fabulous gift for any discerning chocolate lover.
After explaining the history and methods making chocolate the recipes are broken down into;
truffles and filled chocolates: making ganache, the science of the perfect truffle, adding fabulous flavours
couture chocolates: experimental fillings such as apricot and wasabi, black rice vinegar
"bouches" and small delights: chocolate rochers, millionaire's shortbread;
pâtisserie: chocolate and praline Paris Brest, chocolate financiers, chocolate mielle feuile and more;
chocolate ices, drinks, sauces and spreads.
William's partner is Japanese and the fusion of chocolate with Japanese ingredients is one of the things that gives him his signature style.
This book would make a fabulous gift for any discerning chocolate lover.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By K. Platt
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Wow and a thousand times wow. This is every chocolate lover's dream book. It is without doubt the best book on chocolate I have ever seen or am ever likely to see. I love it so much. Every one should have their own copy. The recipes are wonderful and the photography does it all justice - this is photography and the art of cooking at its very best.
This is a true masterclass in chocolate - learn all about chocolate; make truffles, bars, bites, cakes, ice cream and more - all with chocolate. William conjures new flavours and exciting recipes. I can honestly say hand on heart that I want not only to make every single recipe in this book but also to eat it all. If this is death by chocolate, please let me die slowly, savouring every mouthful. Absolutely brilliant and may it continue to gather more awards. Surely William is our finest chocolatier. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this book and how much I shall enjoy making some of those chocolate concoctions. This review first appeared on welovefinefoods.
This is a true masterclass in chocolate - learn all about chocolate; make truffles, bars, bites, cakes, ice cream and more - all with chocolate. William conjures new flavours and exciting recipes. I can honestly say hand on heart that I want not only to make every single recipe in this book but also to eat it all. If this is death by chocolate, please let me die slowly, savouring every mouthful. Absolutely brilliant and may it continue to gather more awards. Surely William is our finest chocolatier. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed this book and how much I shall enjoy making some of those chocolate concoctions. This review first appeared on welovefinefoods.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Sadie
Format:Hardcover
I had been waiting a while for this book to be published. I have other chocolate books, but nothing as beautiful as this book. The photography is lovely with informative and explained descriptions and instructions. A definite must buy for those that adore chocolate and want unusual recipes, for cakes, desserts and chocolates. A great purchase !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Recipes
So far I have only made a few recipes but they were very very nice. Definitely not a book for calorie counting!
Published 22 days ago by P.J.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Reference Book
Very good reference book. Everything in this book works. Some of the specialist equipment is hard to get hold of though, unless your are in the industry
Published 26 days ago by M. Li
5.0 out of 5 stars
Briliant
Lovely book form my favourite chocolatier!
Beautiful photos, covering many aspects of this Art :), very practical and inspiring :)))
Beautiful photos, covering many aspects of this Art :), very practical and inspiring :)))
Published 29 days ago by Iren Merdinyan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as a gift and very well received
I bought this book as a Mother's Day gift and she loves it. The range of techniques and recipes in the book are excellent and with detailed step by step guidance. Read more
Published 1 month ago by deleth1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for budding pro
If you are looking to get into chocolate professionally you couldn't do any better than this book provides good technique and inspirational instruction for making and decorating... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Koolashakes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chocolate Porn
This is a cookbook in the category of "look at the pictures and drool at the recepies", although there are some recipies which are realistic to make at home. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure mmmmm!
If you are a lover of chocolate, especially luxurious chocolate perhaps with a delicate little filling or two AND you are trying to lose a bit of weight for the summer season you... Read more
Published 2 months ago by I. Darren
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boys book
Bought this for my son who thought it was very good. Like most books for children it was worth having a look at first with some content that I needed to discuss with him.
Published 4 months ago by mr david gurney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding. Suitable for all chocolate enthusiasts.
Possibly one of the best books to be produced about making and enjoying chocolate in its many forms. Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. F. Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars
For chocolate lovers.
I gave my friend this book for his birthday. and he loved it.
He's a baker and loves chocolate. Read more
He's a baker and loves chocolate. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kristín Guðbrandsdóttir
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