Summer has finally made it’s sultry self known here in the City by the Bay, after the standard ocean-induced foggitude. By now most of the rest of the country has already drowned it’s thirsty palate in iced tea, lemonade, Gatorade, soda pop, and ice water, but many of us San Franciscans are just getting into the summer swing of things.

There are teas, energy drinks and vitamin drinks aplenty, but sometimes the best things are made with good old raw ingredients right at home. Lemonade is easily made by the glass, and it’s as good for you as it is refreshing.

But another beverage that has real health benefits and is also yummy, but which gets less recognition, is homemade ginger ale.

Want to know which chocolate is best for baking?

Learn how chocolate is made, all about the types and brands of chocolates, how to read labels and select the perfect chocolate for making your favorite recipes, and then experience a step-by-step tasting with cookbook author and chocolate expert, Carole Bloom.

ChefsLine’s ‘Chocolate Tasting’ is a 45 minute podcast of a live event with Carole and ChefsLine members held in 2007. During this event, we also celebrate the official release of The Essential Baker cookbook and review that book’s two mos exciting chocolate recipes, Dark Chocolate Madeleines and White Chocolate Shortbread Triangles.

Listen now to the ChefsLine Special Event Podcast with Maggie Green, editor of the Joy of Cooking. Discover what it takes to write a cookbook, develop and test 4,500 recipes and how America’s home cooking has changed in the past 75 years. ChefsLine members and chefs had a great time sharing their Joy of Cooking experiences and our opinions, generally, that the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Joy of Cooking is a must-have for your kitchen.

Want the quick and dirty inside scoop about our chefs’ favorite cooking tricks, their most traumatic kitchen disasters, and favorite tales from the culinary hotline? Play online (or download) the Culinary Roundtable’s program, The Chefs of ChefsLine. In this 20 minute podcast, Chef Mark hosts Chefs Erika, Jim, JoAnna, Kevin, and Jenn Beisser for a hilarious and informative discussion that roves from seafaring hijinks to slimy hams, mixed with a heady dose of home cooking tips.

ChefsLine has assembled all the resources and insider tips you need to make the most exquisite dark chocolate truffles on the planet. Listen to Carole Bloom, world-renowned chocolate expert and confectioner provide ChefsLine members with step-by-step instructions and expert tips, pointers on selecting the best chocolate and cocoa, how to finish truffles with tempered chocolate and other decorating tips, and pairing chocolate and wine. Any more questions and call one of ChefsLine’s accomplished pastry chefs for help at 1-800-977-1224….we’re with you every step of the way!

Featured Recipe

Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles

SERVINGS: 60 1-inch truffles

INGREDIENTS
1 pound dark chocolate (56 to 64% cacao), finely chopped
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

METHOD
Place the chopped chocolate in a 2-quart mixing bowl.