Chocolate Truffles: An Easy Fix

Sometimes, hopping in your car and jaunting off to your favorite bakery isn't always the most prudent decision.

Or maybe you're just feeling a little creative.

Either way, homemade goods incorporate a little touch of something you can't buy. For all of you homemade-phobes, don't feel the need to rush into it.  There's lots of things you can bake to ease yourself into it.  But if box brownies or pre-made cookies aren't your style, and you want to go a little classier, you've found your recipe:

Chocolate Truffles!

Sounds fancy, right?  Don't be scared! This simple, easy recipe only requires three cooking ingredients and not much prep-work.  

Things you'll need:  

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• 1 medium sized saucepan
• 1 refrigerator safe bowl
• Toppings!

 

1.  First, cut your chocolate into relatively small pieces.

2.  Next, put a medium sized saucepan on your stove.  Once warm, pour in your can of sweetened condensed milk and add your cut chocolate right on top.  

3.  Stir until the mixture becomes a thick chocolate syrup.

Make sure it is lump free!

4.  Pour mixture into a refrigerator-safe bowl and add your 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

5.  Put in the refrigerator to chill for three hours.  By doing this you are creating a ganache.

6.  Once your time is up, the mixture should be hard and thick but able to be scooped and dark brown in color. 

7.  Take a 1/2 tablespoon and start scooping out the ganache.  Roll them into balls between your hands.  It will get messy!

8.  This next part is up to you.  Roll and completely coat the ganache balls into whatever you would like--nuts, berries, sprinkles, powdered sugar--you can decide!  I used Trader Joes' 50% salted almonds, Trader Joes' Raw Loose Hazlenuts, Hershey's Baking Cocoa, and Shaw's Chocolate Sprinkles.  For the nuts, I found it was easiest to grind them up in a food processor in order to prevent large chunks.  

9.  Place your ganache balls into a refrigerator container and let them set for 1 hour.  Then, you can either leave them in the refrigerator if you prefer a harder chocolate, or remove and store at room temperature.  ENJOY!

If you have leftover chocolate, you can put it right back in the sauce pan and remelt it and create a dipping sauce! We coated Trader Joes' Dried Apricots and Trader Joes' Unsalted Peanut Pieces! Yum!

Serpe's & Sons: Sixty Years of Yum

 Driving past this brick building, you wouldn't necessarily think that much of it.  But follow my directions: Pull onto the side of the street.  Stop your car.  Get out.  Pull open the heavy glass door. 

And enjoy.

Inside is a production.  A very, very sweet production.  Everywhere you look, there is a pie, cookie, roll, or tomato pie slice, and if someone isn't blocking your view (because it's so crowded, there probably is) you  can catch a glimpse of their famous cannolis.  There are many workers, all busying themselves packaging up sweets for the never ending stream of customers.  It's just a normal day at Serpes bakery, one of Delaware's greatest.

Serpe's and Sons bakery has been open for 60 years, and has always been owned by the very Italian Serpe family.  Today, Dominic, the youngest brother, owns the property and his good friend Brad is the head pastry chef while brother Joe handles the rolls.  While I wasn't allowed to go back and check out the baking action, it's clear they're working some magic back there; since 1990, they've won the Best of Delaware's "Best Bakery" and "Italian Specialty" every year.  All baking is done on property with their own flour and yeast, and absolutely no preservatives.  

Serpes also does a lot of wholesale. I wasn't even surprised to hear that my favorite sub shop, Capriotti's, is their main buyer of their rolls.  They also serve many of the area's country clubs.  However, people come from all over Delaware, Philadelphia, and New Jersey to pick up a slice of tomato pie. 

Here is Maxine, who has been working for Serpes for 13 years.  "Once you work here, you never leave," she chuckles, as she pulls a freshly baked chocolate cake out from the kitchen.  As I watch, open mouthed, she ices the cake in less than 3 minutes, barely giving me time to photograph her progress.  She ices cakes for every occasion upon request.  Her favorite at Serpes is the pepperoni bread, and of course, the cake!

"We are the party store!" worker of 9 months Larry crows when I ask him what he thinks makes Serpes different.  He goes on to explain how they are an ever flexible, convenient store for every occasion.  The day we went was a week to Superbowl day, and there were football shaped cookies, cakes, and team color oriented color displays everywhere you look.  

We are finally able to push through the crowd and order a dozen rolls and three mini cannolis.  Ushered out the door with smiles from the workers and pushes from eager customers, we depart the legendary store with our expectations met and bellies ready.

Serpe & Sons Bakery

1411 Kirkwood Highway, 

Elsmere, DE 19805

 302-994-1868

Hours:

Monday-Saturday - 7am-6pm

Sunday - 7am-4pm

Black Lab Bakery: Bread Heaven

On a dreary day, no one wants to do anything but curl up on your own couch and watch some trashy TV.  But, gather up all of your willpower and venture into Little Italy to the Black Lab Bakery...trust me, it'll all be worth it.

Pass through the set of of heavy metal door's and you have arrived in bread heaven.  A cornucopia of smells hits you immediately: chiabbata loaves, french baguettes, and sweet breads flood your senses.  You don't even need to open your eyes to enjoy the bright, delicious atmosphere.

The popular Italian loaf

We arrived at Black Lab around 11 in the afternoon, which was during their "hush" hours.  Opening at 8am Wednesday through Friday, they are usually sold out of their baguettes and dinner rolls in the first hour.  At 12, the business picks back up as people come from all over to taste their succulent tomato pie.  Because of the lull, we were able to talk to 7 year owner Barry Ciarrocchi.  Ciarrocchi is eager to share the bakery's history.  Erected in 1930 and called once DiFonzo's, the shop was a specialty Italian tomato pie and baked goods seller.  Passed through the family for many years, it slowly died as bigger, flashier stores popped up.  Luckily, Ciarrocchi scooped up the building and turned it around, breaking ties from the confectionery side and focusing more on the breads.  Having a master's degree in plant pathology from Penn State University and studying chemistry groomed Ciarrocchi into creating his own form of breads.  He experimented with texture, taste, and different methods for years by himself before perfecting the bakery's top selling Italian rolls.  Because of all of the science involved, Ciarrocchi then named his shop, "The Black Lab."

 

Fresh baked loaves ready for sale

As the business grew, Ciarracchi decided to expand his product line into new, more "trendy" options, such as different pastries, whole wheat breads, and different types of tomato pie.  But, "Traditional ways are the ways that stick," says Ciarracchi.  The Italian loaf, classic tomato pie, and dinner rolls continue to be again and again the best sellers. Here's an inside look of where the magic happens:

Black Lab only uses the best flour!

Ingredients all mixed together...

Dough is hand rolled by workers...

Then cooked in an 11 ft deepstone oven ...

Placed immediately out for sale!

 Definitely coming again!



Black Lab Bakery
812 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-658-1302

Hours: 

Wednesday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Sweet Somethings: A Sweet Find

Crossing through the "Little Italy" barrier, it takes you a second to adjust to the sudden plethora of restaurants and shops.  Therefore, if you blink you might miss "Sweet Somethings," a retail and wholesale bakery.  So be careful not to blink.                        

Pastry chef Candace Ewald has created an upscale, cool atmosphere in her open shop.  Hanging lights hover just above her equipment, which can be seen easily from behind the display case and counter.  Working, there is her two assistants, who smile as the door bell chimes open and customers come in.  

Ewald is eager to talk about the business, which has been open for a mere three years.  Wiping flour from her forehead,  she tells me about her culinary experiences with her grandmother which groomed her for the Art Institute of Philadelphia, where she studied baking and pastry arts.  From there, she joined the Sweet Somethings staff upon recommendation from her professors.  Ewald has transformed the drab little shop into a specialty bakery.  Focusing mostly on wholesale, their biggest customers are Iron Hill Brewery and Big Fish Grill.  These big name restaurants favor the raspberry white chocolate mousse and the triple layer cakes. 
                                                                      

Raspberry White Chocolate Mousse Cake

Collection of Best Sellers

However, Ewald pulls me into the back and beckons for me to watch as she whips up a thick cream icing, which she smothers over a cupcake oozing with fudge.  Handing it to me, she smiles, saying that that was her favorite.  Tasting my first of many to come, it was truly a sweet something. 

Sweet Somethings has a pastry for everyone, each one more succulent than the last.  With innovative, young bakers, their product list is refreshing and enticing.  Because everything is homemade, you are guaranteed to always receive a fresh result! I would recommend it most if seeking out a high-class specialty cake or decorative desserts for a party.  Don't miss out on this shop!   
   

Chocolate Molten Cupcake

           
1006 N Union Street 
Wilmington, DE 19805-2753           

Hours:

Monday: 10am-2pm

Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm 

Saturday: 10am-2pm

Sunday Closed           

Cakes and Tortes	Price		Cheese Cakes	Price
Almond Loaf Cake	$27.00		Baileys	$34.00
Banana Nut Cake	$30.00		Brownie Bottom	$30.00
Black Forest Cake (traditional)	$34.00		Café Latte	$32.00
Carrot Cake	$30.00		Cappuccino	$31.00
Chocolate Espresso Mousse Cake	$35.00		Caramel Apple	$32.00
Chocolate Flourless Torte	$33.00		Chocolate	$31.00
Chocolate Mousse Cake	$35.00		Chocolate Espresso	$31.00
Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake	$35.00		Chocolate Mint	$32.00
Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte	$32.00		Chocolate Raspberry	$32.00
Chocolate Raspberry Cake	$32.00		Dulce' de Leche	$34.00
Chocolate Silk Torte	$32.00		Macadamia Crunch	$32.00
Chocolate Toffee Torte	$35.00		New York	$30.00
Chunky Apple Cake	$30.00		Plain	$30.00
Lemon Coconut Cake	$30.00		Pumpkin Butternut (seasonal)	$33.00
Coconut Pecan Cake	$35.00
German Chocolate Cake	$35.00		Individuals
Limoncello Torte	$34.00		Apple or Pear Frangipan Tart	$5.00
Mocha Torte	$35.00		Cheesecake	$5.00
Rasp. White Chocolate Mousse Cake	$35.00		Key Lime Pie	$5.00
Strawberry Short Cake (seasonal)	$35.00		Molten Chocolate Cake	$5.00
			Silk	$8.00
Pies and Tarts			White Choc. Lemon Pistacio tart	$5.00
Apple or Pear Frangipan Tart	$30.00
Apple Pie	$26.00		Other
Cherry Pie	$27.00		Brownies 3/4 sheet	$29.00
Chocolate Cream Pie	$29.00		Toffee Blondies 3/4 Sheet	$29.00
Key Lime Pie	$27.00		Peanut Butter Brownies 3/4 sheet	$29.00
Lemon Cream Tart	$26.00		Sour Cream Coffee Cake 3/4 sheet	$30.00
Peanut Butter Pie	$29.00		Flavored Ganache by the pound	$15.00
Pumpkin Pie (seasonal)	$23.00		Assorted Mousses by the pound	$12.00
Raspberries and Cream Tart	$27.00
White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie	$30.00

Hope to see you there!

Little Italy: An Introduction

Little Italy, the section of Wilmington that food lovers hail!

In 1820, there were only 30 Italy immigrants in the entire United States!  But, as travel became easier and safer, there was a boom in the Italian population in the states.  Most lived in Delaware, and congregated in a section of Wilmington with the intentions of preserving their culture from their homeland.

As time went on, the people started creating their own businesses, such as butchers, barbers, grocers, and bakers. Today, you'll find family-owned restaurants, bread shops, and a smattering of service shops.

People come from all over to experience the simple yet wonderful atmosphere. It's one of my family's go-to destinations, and a Delaware legacy.

Dunkin Donuts: More Than A Chain

My dad has always said that true local bakeries have always been the one on your corner; they are the most convenient source of goods. That's what the Dunkin Donuts is to the entire population of Mount Pleasant High School--a before or after school indulgence.

Located right around the corner from Mount on Philadelphia Pike, Dunkin Donuts has a plethora of options for your every breakfast desire. Today, we decided to put their namesake to the test and do a sampling of their best sellers: doughnuts.

After talking to Vishna, who works at the cash register, we discovered that people liked to keep it basic: the most popular doughnut was the glazed and chocolate frosted. We ordered one of each, but after receiving a nudge and puppy eyes from my father, we selected a vanilla kreme one as well.

 

My dad immediately dug into the vanilla kreme doughnut, which gushed whipped vanilla filling encompassed by a powdered-sugar dough covered exterior.



The glazed was a nice contrast, surprisingly light and fluffy beneath the heavy coating of glaze. The chocolate frosted was delectable as well, and we all were licking our fingers at the end.

For a small price, Dunkin Donuts always delivers a big bang. Dependable, satisfying, and open 24 hours, it is a model for what any chain bakery should be.

Dunkin Donuts

701 Philadelphia Pike

(3o2)-762-6552

 Open 24 Hours