Archive for the ‘For Vegetarians’ Category

Chocolate Cake Varieties

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Like chocolate, chocolate cakes are loved and savored worldwide. Be it the home-made sponge cake with the icing of chocolate or be it the most extravagant black forest cake, we do not bother about digging out the place of its origin or who first made it or when it was born. What matters is the heavenly taste created with the combination of butter, sugar, flour, cream, egg replacer, spices and lots of lots of chocolates.
Depending on the origin, ingredients and baking techniques, chocolates cakes can be of several varieties.
Take the famous German chocolate for example. This world famous version of chocolate cake had nothing to do with Germany regarding its origin. Created in the hands of an Englishman and made popular in the USA by an American housewife through a newspaper posting, German chocolate cakes are today available and savored worldwide.
Germany is not the birthplace of German cake, but the Black Forest Cake definitely is the good example of German baking tradition. It is a kind of layered cake. What distinguish it from the other varieties of chocolate cakes is: the cake is covered with whipped cream and cherries are generously used both on the top as well as in the batter. The traditional Black forest chocolate cakes contain a dash of liquor made from tart cherries. This accounts for the extra kick that comes from the every bite of your Black Forest cake.
Then there are those molten chocolate cakes, which are more popular by the name, Lava cakes. You will have to take a large bite to realize that the inside of the cake is filled with thick, liquid chocolate. With its hard chocolate icing on the outside and pudding like chocolate filling inside, these baked delights are fit for any party.
For the health freaks, calories in chocolate cakes are a matter of real concern. The renowned bakery brands offer sugar free cake for this calorie counting brigade.
Although, flour and egg replacer are the basic ingredients of a classic chocolate cake, it is also possible to make a cake without egg replacer and they are as delicious, as the traditional cakes made with eggs replacer. Especially in India, where vegetarians refrain from having eggs in their diet, find the eggless chocolate cakes extremely delightful. We at Sofia Raj make eggless cakes only.
Chocolate cakes are versatile and they can be enjoyed any where, anytime. They make excellent snack and the ideal dessert to round up any feast. It is a good idea to order gourmet chocolate cakes online for a special party. Rest assured, the specially baked, artistically decorated chocolate cakes will make your special occasion unforgettable.

Chocolate gift baskets:Bring Smile on Your Face

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Gift baskets have comes up as very popular modes in recent times and this proneness is a predominant practice in the western cultures.To many kinds of gift baskets are available in market today for sale.It is necessary to think here that these baskets are available at various price ranges from $30 to more expensive one. Therefore it is possible for one to make choices according to one’s budget.

Chocolate gift baskets might become the one choice. Chocolate gift baskets are usually filled with different varieties of assorted chocolates according to customer’s choice.

There are different kinds of chocolate gift baskets available in the market. Gift baskets may be wrapped in golden wrappers or golden meshed boxes covered with glittering decorations and these may contain different kinds of dark chocolate varieties or  creamy milk chocolate covered on the top with creamy caramel pecan cluster toppings.You can also put some accessories with these gifts baskets.

Chocolate gifts basket are comprises with white chocolate shavings, chocolate almonds and chocolate swizzles and chips are popular ingredients.  

At times, gift baskets containing chocolate items are designed specifically for holiday purposes. These include contents like mocha chocolate truffles, chocolate popcorns, Swiss chocolate bars and chocolate brownies. Chocolate espresso cakes, chocolate biscotti chunks and pretzels are a chocolate lover’s delight and therefore gift baskets comprising of these items are ideal for a chocolate lover. Apart from chocolate cookies and other items, chocolate chips are to be found in almost every chocolate gift basket. Chocolate gift baskets are often made up of delicious and alluring chocolate dipped cookies and the chocolate chips, swizzles, truffles and coconut shavings are beautifully adorned by strawberries which make the gift basket look very attractive. Dark  chocolate and chocolate licorice are very popular items that make up chocolate gift baskets and are passionately admired by chocolate lovers. However, these chocolates are a bit expensive and hence these gift baskets are expected to be a bit high priced.

Chocolate gift baskets are also quite popularly presented as birthday gifts especially to children. In such cases, apart from multifarious kinds of assorted chocolates and chocolate chips and candies, stuffed toys are also attached to these baskets to appeal to the young children.

For Chocolate Lovers!

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Whenever we eat chocolate we feel some form of guilt regretting it afterwards. What if I tell you eating chocolates is healthier, now you can feel guilt free!

In recent studies it has proved that cocoa is good for you because it contains flavonoids. They are polyphenolic compounds which are group of chemical substances found in plants. They contain a special type of antioxidant that helps to prevent cancer, heart disease, beneficial effects on human health, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, etc. When we eat any food that contains flavonoid our blood increases. The rises in antioxidant levels protect us from damage to blood vessels and the heart. It also prevents our DNA from damage and leading to cancer. Dark chocolate is more concentrated in cocoa content than the milk chocolate but white chocolate has no cocoa content.

Excess of anything is not good for you, so don’t do over eating. A small part of cocoa contains about 50 calories and a majority of candy bars contain about 200. Vegetables and fruits carry 25-80 calories and a serving of green tea has no calories at all. Vegetables and fruits have vitamin, minerals, phytochemicals that protect our health besides the flavonoids it contains. Remember it should not discourage us from eating a mostly plant-based diet that includes lean protein, fruits, and vegetables. So, go enjoy and eat your cocoa with moderation so that you can balance a fulfillment of all the good foods out there!