[Open] Getting Good 101: Chocolate Truffles

[topgun_textiles]

Who: Kanji-sensei and YOU. ALL OF YOU. EVEN THE NEW ARRIVALS!
When: February 8th, 2 PM
Where: Curti Center
What: Valentine's is right around the corner, so let's make some chocolates! This is a healthy alternative to people burning down their houses or causing a public panic so close to The Scaly, Actual Public Panic coming soon.
Warnings/Notes: Not for the lactose intolerant.



The rented space was decorated with paper hearts of different shades of pink and red, as well as a few colorful bursts of early flowers. Because hey, it doesn't always have to be hearts, right? But it was humble, homey, and had perhaps a touch of that feel one might get from their Home Ec class.

Each table had aprons, bowls, knives, scoops, a small magitek burner and supplies. Each table also had a little knit doll to keep the occupants company: Small bears, birds, rabbits, chocobos, dogs and cats kept watch from the corners, silently cheering each student on. Kanji had made sure to cover as many bases as possible, even placing print-outs of the recipe on each table:

8 oz. of chopped chocolate
4 oz. of warmed heavy cream

Pour warmed cream into bowl of finely-chopped chocolate.
Let sit five minutes.
Add drops of desired flavor extract. Stir until smooth.
Pour into molds or onto paper-lined cookie sheets,
and let chill in fridge for 1 hour.

Use scoops to form truffle balls, or
remove ganache from molds and decorate as desired.

Class started promptly at 2. Kanji went over how to chop the bars of chocolate and how to use the burners to warm the cream. Too hot, and you have greasy truffles. Too cold, and you've got chunky monkeys. All the while, he himself wore the same apron from his announcement video, and it was frillier and more... badass?... in person.

After the first chill, he instructed on how to scoop the loose ganache into balls, how to warm them slightly by rolling them between the hands before they go into sprinkles, cinnamon, cocoa powder, crushed nuts or anything else provided. Really, it was a concise class, and it seemed Kanji may have taught classes before. Hmmmm.

Regardless, once finished, the truffles could go into a nice box or a bag, tied with a bow or a simple ribbon. But for those who aren't sure how their truffles turned out or honestly have no idea what to do with the finished product, Kanji introduces the class to Chara, who is ready and willing to taste test all or take what nobody wants.

Because Chara is such a thoughtful kid, you see.


[ooc: Make your own toplevels, tag around, enjoy!]

Comments

OTA

[modelcivilian]

[Adrien had no trouble following instructions - after all, prior to this chocolate cooking class, he'd been taught waaaay back by his roommate how to properly cook at all. Desserts and pastries were gradual, but he learned alright (he had to stop himself from making an eating too much some days).]

[Hooowever, where Adrien excelled in following instructions, when it came time to make shapes and/or decorate, the chocolates were... less-than appetizing. For an artistic eye and musical ear, it was obvious he didn't get all - scratch that, any of those designer abilities his own father had. He stared at his box of truffle confections and wondered himself if they were poisoned... and he had made them. If only someone had any suggestions on how to make them look less like death, he was very open to hearing ideas.]

[topgun_textiles]

[Adrien must have looked pretty unsure about his own project to the nth degree, because Kanji took a seat next to him and had himself a look.]

...First time?

[modelcivilian]

[Looking up briefly, Adrien gives a nervous chuckle and nods.]

Am I that obvious? [But then looking down at the truffles... yeah, that one definitely had a face only a horror show would love.]

... Drawing smiles on them didn't work out so well.

[topgun_textiles]

[Yeah those were scary beyond all reason. But...!]

But you made 'em yourself, man. Ain't bad for a first try, and whoever they're for's gonna like 'em anyway, y'know?

[modelcivilian]

Yeah! ... yeah.

[Here he was making chocolate, but the person he wanted to give them too... whoops. He had been so excited he forgot.]

... I was thinking I would give chocolates to all my friends here.

[topgun_textiles]

Sounds good to me. Need some extra boxes? I bought bulk but didn't read the number on the case...

Let's see, I got... pink, blue, purple, white, little flowers, little hearts...

[modelcivilian]

Uhh... I think a few pink boxes. And maybe two with the little flowers.

[topgun_textiles]

Sure.

[Off they go into a neat little stack on the table.]

How's stuff goin' with your friend from home, anyway? I figured she'd come too, but then again it ain't like any of this stuff'd be new to her when she's grown up in it.

[modelcivilian]

I don't know. Her family specializes in pastries not chocolates, but knowing her, she'd still make something amazing.

[But Kanji asked how his friend was doing.]

Anyway, she's doing okay.

[topgun_textiles]

Cool. [And how are YOU doing? He knew he'd get a noncommittal answer.]

I can't help but think of what Snow White said... that this was kind of a stupid idea. I mean, rude, but that's still a good point.

I just figured it'd help get minds off the whole... April thing. I know it's got people stressed to hell n' back.

[modelcivilian]

Why would this be a stupid idea? We can't be working all the time; we'd wear ourselves out. Besides, it's Valentine's Day! If there's any time to spread love around, it's Valentine's.

[topgun_textiles]

S'right. That's why I went with it anyway. That, and what that little girl said on Christmas...

[modelcivilian]

Exactly. All the more reason to share this with everyone.

... Not these chocolates, but better ones! [He looked at his horror candies.]

[topgun_textiles]

[Those poor horror candies.]

So what're ya gonna do with those ones?

[modelcivilian]

Probably eat them myself. If anyone wants one in class, too, but it looks like everyone's handing out a little of what they're making.

[topgun_textiles]

Doesn't mean you shouldn't, dude. Here-

[He's gonna eat a horror candy. Here goes.]

[modelcivilian]

Ah-

[Kanji really doesn't have to... but he appreciates it. Hopefully, he doesn't get a stomachache from too many sweets once the class is over.]

... How is it?

[topgun_textiles]

[He didn't find it terribly strange that the texture needed an adjustment. Adrien was learning. The taste was alright, as it was just chocolate and cream. So these just looked kind of sad, but they weren't half-bad.]

Huh. I dunno why ya won't give these out. I mean, they're your first! S'kinda important, right?

[modelcivilian]

Haha, I guess so. It's just... if this first batch came out completely terrible, I wouldn't want to subject anyone to that. I only started learning to cook when I came here.

[topgun_textiles]

Sure, but think about it like this: Anybody who tries it can taste the difference when ya get better n' better.

[He jerked a thumb to himself.]

If nobody else, I volunteer. Gesture of friendship. How 'bout it?

[modelcivilian]

... Huh, when you put it that way, it makes sense.

[His eyes brightened.]

Sure! If you really don't mind. Was anything off in this batch?

[topgun_textiles]

Hmm... I feel like ya weren't 'sure'.

[That helped. But give him a second.]

Okay- think of it like you're about to jump into a swimming pool and as you're runnin' in to dive bomb that shit, ya stop 'cause your belly does that really horrible flop and it makes your head spin a little bit.

It's like that, but with the candy. You always got there, so close, but ya weren't sure if somethin' was too done or if a flavor was gonna be too much if ya went a little further.

Honestly? That's good. I'd rather have not quite smooth enough and too mild a flavor than feelin' like a barrel of boozy oranges came up and punched me in the face.

[modelcivilian]

[It's unfortunate, but shortly following 'swimming pool', Adrien got this blank expression. He doesn't know about a dive bomb, and he's not sure about his belly ever doing a horrible flop. A sinking feeling? Maybe.]

... Uh... sure. I think. So smoother and more flavor next time...

[topgun_textiles]

Wha...? I thought my metaphor was pretty good... guess not.

Anyway, push 'em a little further, that's all.

[modelcivilian]

Oh, it was, but I've learned how to swim and never really got to swim for fun.

Okay, I'll do that with the next batch.