Chocolate Covered Tarantulas

Category: Desserts & Sweets | Blog URL: http://splendidmarket.com

This recipe was entered in The Foodista Best of Food Blogs Cookbook contest, a compilation of the world’s best food blogs which was published in Fall 2010.

Photo: Emily Heston

Ingredients

2 cups chow mein noodles

1 cup chopped Milky Way bars (about ¼ inch chop), this is about 6 ounces of Milky Way bar<

1 cup dried, pitted tart Montmorency Cherries

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 teaspoon salt

9 ounces good quality chocolate (Semi –sweet or milk, we usually make a batch of each. Ou

Preparation

Mix together the top 5 ingredients in a large tray or bowl.

Place a large silpat or sheets of waxed paper on a flat surface.

To melt chocolate:

In a microwave: Break up the chocolate, or use a knife to create thick shavings if you are using chunks of chocolate. Evenly distribute chocolate in a microwaveable dish.

Each microwave is different, so you may want to experiment with different times. To start, set the microwave to cook for 30 seconds, after 30 seconds take the chocolate out and stir it. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth and glossy.

It is important the chocolate not get scorched or burned. The microwave heats from the inside, out, so the chocolate may look like it is still solid on the outside, while the inside is actually melted.

On the stove: It is very important that water or steam does not come in contact with the melting chocolate. Water will cause the chocolate to seize. If this happens, sadly, you just have to kiss it goodbye and start over. There is no road to recovery!! But, follow these easy steps, splendid ones, and this shall not happen to you!

Fill the bottom vessel of a bain marie (or double boiler) with water to a level where it won’t spill out when you put the top vessel in place.

Heat the water to the point of boiling. Once it has boiled, reduce the heat so that the water maintains a low simmer.

Break the chocolate up into small pieces (or use a knife to create shavings if using a chunk of chocolate) and place it in the top vessel of the bain marie. Place the top vessel onto the lower vessel.

Do not put the lid on the pan – this may lead to condensation dripping into the chocolate and the dreaded seize!!

Watch the chocolate closely and stir it regularly until it is smooth and glossy.

Pour the luscious melted chocolate over the dry mixture.

Use a spatula (or your hands) to toss the mixture until it is thoroughly coated in the melted chocolate.

Use all 5 fingers to take large pinches of the chocolate covered mixture and place the “pinch” on the silpat or waxed paper.

Nudge a couple of the noodles out to resemble crumpled legs. If any cherries fall, place them on top of the pinch to resemble the rounded back of the spider. Slide the silpat or paper onto a cutting board and place the chocolaty critters outside or in a refrigerator to harden.

These confections may be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. Pack in layers, placing sheets of waxed paper between each layer.

This recipe can be modified to include your favorite candy bar. In place of the Milky Ways and cherries one could use chopped Kit Kats and pecans, Snickers and golden raisins, Almond Joys and more almonds....we'd love to hear your ideas for combinations!

While you have your chocolate process going, you may want to consider decorating some service pieces. Chocolate cobwebs can be easily drawn upon the large bowl, tray, cake stand, or counter on where you plan to display the tarantulas.

Temper (or melt) a few ounces of chocolate. After it is smooth and glossy, allow it to cool for a couple of minutes. Fit a zip lock bag made for freezer storage over the lip of a mug or large yogurt – like container. Pour the chocolate in with the help of a rubber spatula.

Using scissors, take a very small snip off one corner of the bag to allow the chocolate to flow.

Using the chocolate as ink, draw concentric circles on your chosen service piece(s).

Then, using a wooden skewer, draw lines from the center of the smallest circle, just past the edge of the largest circle.

Continue drawing these lines around the circle to create splendid chocolate cobwebs!

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About

These creepy, crawly confections aren't the prettiest to look at, but they are splendid to eat!

A mix of random sounding ingredients make this addicting delight that is crunchy, chewy, sweet, tangy, just a little salty and all covered in premium quality chocolate.

This is our favorite dessert to serve for a Trick or Treat supper on All Hallows Eve.