"Chocolat" movie party

[bakerbebe]

Since the movie "Chocolat" is now on video, I am having a chocolate party this week. We're going to rent the movie and have a chocolate buffet. I have asked each guest to bring something chocolate. I want to make something fabulous, but haven't decided yet . . . too much to choose from.
What would your chocolate dream spread be????

[Svadhisthana]

Chocolate happens to be one of my favorite topics!

You could do:
Truffles, mousse, cheesecake (could be all chocolate or chocolate chip or white/dark choclate swirl), brownies, mocha cigars, chocolate creme brulee, a shortbread tart filled with ganache and topped with raspberries.......I could go on, but I won't. Have fun, play around with ideas and if I were you, I'd visit www.mrchocolate.com for inspiration. Let us know how the party goes!

[angrychef]

My husband and I just saw it last night and it was fabulous. Since I just got of work, the last thing on my mind is chocolate(I work in a pastry department and just finished baking tons of brownies ). However, the film does make you drool and so we had ice-cream. I think a fondue with several kinds of chocolate sauces would go well.

[kokopuffs]

Could someone pls summarize the film; I've never heard of it.

[Kimmie]

Summary for Kokopuffs:

1960, small town France. Vianne Rocher and her pre-teen daughter move into town and open a chocolate shop just as lent is beginning. The town's small-minded mayor can't accept this and does his best to shut her down, but her warm personality and incredible chocolates manage to win over many townsfolk. Things get shaken up even more when a group of river drifters, led by Roux, stop into town (to the even greater distress of the mayor) and Vianne takes up with him. Meanwhile, she's been helping Josephine out of her abusive marriage and her equally freethinking landlord, Amande Voisin, get together with her grandson, Luc, whose mother doesn't approve of Amande's ways.

[Mezzaluna]

Good synopsis- may I add that Vianne's chocolates seem to have a wonderful effect on people, which varies according to their personalities. The chocolate party sounds fabulous!

[Isa]

I love chocolate with orange. A few weeks ago I made chocolate tartlet with chocolate ganache, add a bit of candied orange zest if you want and orange curd on top. It was so good everyone wanted second, some even went for thrid.

[thebighat]

I went looking for the movie but the store said it was out. The book is great,they've changed a few things that seemed to be important for the movie, but I'll watch anything with Juliette Binoche. Anyone seen or heard of The Widow of St.Pierre?

[W.DeBord]

Well I could write a list a mile long of ideas such a great and easy subject. But here are two really SIMPLE items that make my clients go crazy, I make a brownie cobbler (I don't know why that pleases them so much) but my personal pick, fried truffles. It's very simple batter that's not doughy with a touch of cinnamon, you dip your frozen truffles in it and deep fry. They hold for a hour or longer at room temp. and longer in a chafer. When you bite into them they ooz warm truffle.... not to be found on everyone elses menu!

[Kimmie]

Dear W.,

Are you using Michel Richard's recipe for the fried truffles? It's really good and part of Cooking with Masterchefs (Julia Child).



Bakerbebe: Would you like an exotic truffle? I found one right here for you.

[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: Kimmie ]

[bakerbebe]

Fabulous ideas, everyone. I think this party is going to be a hit. I am kicking my husband out for thi night -- because this is going to be a "girls night out" type of thing. Now all of the husbands want to come!! I'll just have to do another one for couples . . .
I'll let you know how it goes. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm excited.

Hey, bakerbebe, go check out my topic in the "Recipe Exchange" Forum, called "Anyone Have A Recipe For Mint Brownies?" I think you'll like it, as you can see from the recipe I stumbled across and posted has a lot of chocolate in it-it's got Hershey's syrup and chocolate chips in it, as well as mint! Or if you prefer, you could do some chocolate brownies or chocolate chip cookies. Just a thought. Let us know what you decide to make. And have fun! I've never heard of the movie "Chocolat" either until I saw this post. I hope I can see it some day too. I hope you all enjoy your movie and chocolate! Just make sure you don't make yourselves sick with too much chocolate! (Hehe, never mind, I'm just teasing you; I know you'll be careful not to get sick).

[shroomgirl]

Champagne of course....Chambord too!!!
Chocolate in the hight of summer.....chocolate puff with ganauche...no I'd do a bite of rich lucious confection... the chili chocolate in the movie...Cannolis with chocolate mascarpone and chopped cherries and candied orange zest maybe drizzle with good chocolate a few nuts...served cold that would be an interesting treat. I adore mocha eclairs, very visual if done as a large pastry with almonds on top.
Dark valharona dipped candied zest.
hmmm....I like a mix of candies and pastries...and several not outrageously rich.
Sounds like a blast....one of my favorite themes.

[Kimmie]

Bakerbebe,

Did you have your party yet? Tell us all...

[CompassRose]

If I were doing this, I would want one or two things as a break from the sweetness... how about some snappy little Mexican-style appetizers with a real mole sauce?

...oh, and W., you wouldn't consider sharing your brownie cobbler, would you? For some reason, that sounds like the perfect combination of decadence and comfort food!

[ August 24, 2001: Message edited by: CompassRose ]