by Sarah Lagrotteria

Loves, I’ve been waiting months to share this exciting news with you.  Chocolate: A Love Story: 65 Chocolate Desserts from Max Brenner’s Private Collection, by Max Brenner and gorgeously illustrated in a fantastical, free association style by  Yonotan Factor has finally arrived in bookstores!

I’m overjoyed for three reasons.  First, who wouldn’t want  a beautiful recipe (and art book) devoted to chocolate?   Second, I was lucky enough to have the chance to work with Max and his assistant Danielle Sarna as a recipe consultant for this beautiful collection-an experience that had me marveling at the ingenuity of Max’s vision and stunned at just how much chocolate I can consume before needing a break (A LOT).  Third, because the book is now on bookshelves, I can share a few of my “behind-the-scenes” pictures of the beautiful, oooey-gooey, fluffy, rich and whimsical treats you’ll find inside!

If you haven’t looked through the book, I suggest you do.  Max Brenner (also known as The Bald Man) is kind, intelligent, fantastically creative and a true poet when it comes to chocolate.  Each recipe in the collection evokes one a personal memory for Max, who shares those memories in brief poetic passages that make this one of those cookbooks with voice.  It’s a joy to read.

Now on to the pix!

Airy profiteroles waiting to be filled with chocolate coconut pastry cream and drizzled with chocolate ganache

A to-die-for homemade doughnut served warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar…

…and filled to oozing with warm raspberry chocolate ganache.  The doughnuts might be my fave.

“Contentious” Chocolate cookies-made with dark and milk chocolates, dried apricots and candied orange zest.  Each bite is a riot of flavor.  I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of this recipe.

Chocolate Spaghetti

Looks better than you thought, right?  I devoured two bowls leaning up against the kitchen island.  No time to sit when warm chocolate is cloaking the noodle like the most beautiful carbonara.

And, last, but not least, a HUGE, beautiful pavlova with fresh summer berries.

There are so many more delicious treats than the ones I’ve shown here.  It was a good run and it’s a very special book.

xoxosl