Handmade Chocolate Truffles

Look at this great home made chocolate truffles which Inessa from Vintageer is sharing today! Make them at home, put in a cute gift box, and Valentine's gift is ready :)

So... let's start! If you have never made truffles before, give it a try. This recipe is not only easy to make, but also is very affordable.

For this recipe you'll need:
• 100 gramm of best-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 100 ml heavy cream
• 1 tsp of brandy, liquor or vanilla extract
• unsweetened cocoa powder for coating
• candy paper cups

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan bring the cream to a simmer (do not boil!). Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let it sit for 2 minutes, than stir until completely melted and smooth. Add the brandy and stir again.

2. Pour the mix into a shallow bowl. Cover, and refrigerate the mixture until firm, for 1.5 - 2 hours.

3. Using a small spoon, scoop the mixture and roll into 1 inch balls. Roll each ball in the cocoa powder. You can also use other coatings - finely chopped nuts,  candy sprinkles or confectioners' sugar.

Place the chocolate truffles in paper candy cups and pack into a box for a gift or serve them immediately. 

Have a sweet Valentine's day!:)

Photography by IrinaPhotography

"Chocolate salami" recipe

Sounds scary... huh? :) some of you would be wondering... chocolate salami?!! No way! Right?
Don't worry :) This is not a real salami. This dessert is called that way just because it looks like salami. :)



Today, Irina who runs IrinaPhotography shop is sharing a recipe of this easy to cook great dessert.

You will need:
1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs
3 table spoon of cocoa powder
1 stick of unsalted butter (115 gr)
5 table spoon of milk
1 lb of cookies or biscuits
1 cup of walnut pieces

Who has Trader Joe's store nearby, can use "Cats cookies for people". Well, this is just cookie. :) The name may sound confusing, that's why there is a picture of them. But if Trader Joe's in not reachable for you, you can use any type of cookies that are pretty much crackly and sweet.


First, the cookies should be powdered in grinder or food processor.



Than add walnut pieces to the cookie powder and mix it. Set aside the mixture.

Put eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder in non-stick pot. I prefer non-stick because it's easier to clean it after the desert is ready, but you may use whatever you want. Just keep in mind that the pot will be heated up. Whisk all ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Than add milk and completely melted butter. Whisk again and place the pot on medium-high heat.



Whisk it continuously, and bring it to the condition when it just about to start bubbling. Immediately remove from heat. Don't let it bubbling! It should look like chocolate souse.


Pour the mixture into ground cookies with walnuts and mix it thoroughly.


It should look like wet clay but short-brittle.


Then put this "clay" into plastic bag; smash and press it until the "clay" become smooth.



In the end, the mixture should look like a smooth clay. Put it on a sheet of foil or plastic wrap, and form it as a salami... or log. :)


Wrap and roll for better result.



Than cover the "salami" with foil or plastic wrap and put it into fridge for several hours until it firm.


That's it. :) Time for preparation is 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Russian artists on Etsy front page!

This evening treasury collection made by our Russian artists team member Katrinshine was on Etsy front page! It was chocolate colored collection named "At my show on tuesday" and included 6 team members. It's so yummy!! Hope you like it! 
Congrats Curator and featured artists!

Vegan Banana Cupcakes

Our team member Alla (FleetingStillness) lives in Maryland and has two kids, 5 and 7 years old. Alla loves to cook and bake and we would like to share one of your recipes with you.



My son is allergic to quite a few things, and egg is one of them. Just like any kid, Max likes cakes and cupcakes, so I had to learn to bake without eggs. I searched the internet for recipes for the past four years and this one is by far my favorite - it is simple, versatile and delicious.

You will need:
2 cups flour
1.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup oil
4 ripe bananas
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. sift together flour, salt and baking soda
2. mash bananas with a fork
3. beat sugar and oil until white and smooth
4. mix in mashed bananas w/ a spoon

5. add water and vanilla
6. mix in flour mixture using a whisk
7. spoon into 2.5-inch cupcake liners filling them about 2/3 (1 banana makes 4-5 cupcakes)
8. bake 25 minutes at 350F


I decorate my cupcakes with chocolate glaze and raspberries.

You can also bake this as a banana cake - just add 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) and bake in a 9-inch pan for 40-45 minutes.

Sweet Valentine

Valentine is the sweetest holiday of all and not just because a romantic prospect. This day is all about sweet deserts!


So we'd like to share this recipe with you. It is easy to make and will look perfect on your Valentine's table! Maria (lovelytrifles), who is the author of this delicious strawberry cake calls it "Strawberry fields forever" because she is using strawberries from her own garden in the summer. For the rest of us, who do not grow organic produce it is time to make a list and start shopping!


Here is what you need:

For dough:
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
Butter to grease a form (cooking spray will work also)
2 tablespoons farina
about 3 lbs of strawberries

For glaze:
2 stick of chocolate (200 gr)
50-70 ml of milk (1.5-2.5 oz)
30 gr of butter

Springform pan for baking

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 385'F.
Beat eggs and sugar with mixer. Add flour in two portions at the time while continue beating. The dough should be smooth with no lumps.


Grease your baking springform pan (about 12" diameter). Sprinkle the bottom and edges with farina. Arrange strawberries on the bottom of form, it can be done in two layers (reserve some strawberries for decoration). Pour the liquid dough on top of berries and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes or until ready (use a toothpick to check if it is ready). Let it chill in a form, then remove the sides.

Make the glaze:
In a double boiler melt the chocolate. Add the butter and the milk and stir occasionally until smooth.


While it is still hot pour the glaze over the cooled cake and spread it evenly. Let it cool slightly and decorate with strawberries.

Bon appetite and we hope your Valentine will like it!


Recipe by Maria (Lovelytrifles)
Translated by Tanya (Socksandmittens)

Interview with a Star – TonyaUtkina

Today our featured guest is TonyaUtkina who is a member of Russian Artists Etsy team. Tonya has two completely different shops on Etsy. In CityCrochet Tonya offers hand crocheted and hand knitted items for urban style fashionistas as well as home décor items and hand felted accessories. In TonyaUtkina Etsy shop she offers happy and bright jewelry items made of high quality Czech glass, silver plated wire and felt.

Q: Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Moscow, Russia and I am still in love with that beautiful and vibrant city. It’s not only a place of my childhood but a city with history that dates back to 1147 AD and diverse, fast pacing urban life. I still have a lot of friends and family members in Moscow and go back every year. In my mid 20s I moved to New York following my husband who got accepted to a university. It was a difficult but manageable transition as New York actually remind me Moscow a lot. Later on we moved to Richmond, Virginia where I reside now.

Q: How did you pick up crafting?
I love to create things with my hands! I’ve been crocheting and knitting since I was little. Hand crafting runs in my family as my mom has a great taste and wonderful hands. As so many Russian moms back in 80s and 90s she sewed and knitted for all my family. My brother and I always had beautiful and neat clothes hand made by my mom. I remember myself crocheting home décor items, making small sculptures out of wood, creating figures of paper mache. It was all back in my childhood when I had plenty of time to just hang around and experiment. Since then I had my own kids. While observing my children grow at some point I felt a need to resume my crafting. It’s great that my kids watch me actually make things with my hands and even try helping me sometimes.

Q: What are your favorite materials?
I love glass for its brightness and transparency. There are so many things one can create of glass beads and wire. One’s creativity is pretty much the only limit. Recently I’ve discovered felting which in some sense is similar to knitting and crocheting but gives much more room for experimenting. The result can be totally unpredictable.

I’m a fan of minimalism that has nothing in common with a traditional Russian ornamental style rich in flowers, curves, swirls, stylized animal and nature images. I guess I’m not a typical Russian in that sense as I adore simple lines and bold colors.

Q: What can you tell us about your Etsy experience?
I actually discovered Etsy by pure chance through an article in Wired magazine. I really liked the idea of an independent portal for artisans and craftsmen from all over the world. Besides I always thought that Etsy layout and design is very friendly and well thought out! I had no prior experience with on-line sales and marketing and Etsy came as a sort of revelation to me. I’ve been on Etsy for a bit more than a year now and I’ve learned a tonne since I started. It’s amazing how much more I now know about the world of on-line sales, SEO and marketing!

Interview with a Star Aleksandra VALI

Today our featured guest is Aleksandra Vali who is a member of Russian Artists Etsy team. Aleksandra creates unique and amazingly beautiful jewelry including necklaces, rings, brooches and earrings that are available at her AleksandraVALI store on Etsy.
Q: Aleksandra could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Siberia, Russia. I grew up surrounded by harsh and beautiful forests, lakes and rivers of Northern Russia. After receiving my Masters Degree from Novosibirsk State University in Novosibirsk, Russia, I worked as a ceramic artist for seven years. My experiments with clay helped me develop a feel for perfect shape, balance my design and contrast texture. My artwork has been highly praised in Russia and exhibited internationally.
Later on I moved to America where metal became a medium for my artistic expression. It was in metal that I found my true passion.
Q: Why do you think metal is so inspirational for you?
For me, metal provides a unique opportunity to create unusual and unique pieces that show my individual approach, skill and flare. Working with gold and silver allows me to experiment and make the most out of the three-dimensional form. I am able to bring my former physical knowledge of working clay into jewelry through carving, casting and smithing. I am intrigued in the complexity of edges, textures and mixed materials.

Q: Are you currently working with any other materials besides metal?
I continue experimenting with clay and create one of a kind sculptures. I like the idea of creating something unique and exclusive that cannot be replicated.

In jewelry I create collections where all the individual pieces are united by one single idea or a vision. For example my Chocolate Dessert collection or my Steam collection .

I like to experiment trying to combine materials that are deemed incompatible or looking for new shapes and ideas. The result is always unpredictable and often times incredibly beautiful.
The second year in a row American Art Collector publishes my art work. My jewelry and sculpture have been featured in numerous catalogues, magazines and art publications. I'm actively participating in art shows and exhibitions.

Here are a few of my recent shows:
2010 February, Lill Street ArtCenter, Chicago Metal Arts Guild Exhibition,Chicago, IL
2010 February, Greater Denton Arts Council, Materials: Hard & Soft, Denton, TX
2008 February, MaNa Gallery, Strictly Black & Wight Show, Chicago
2007 March, Gahlberg Gallery Exhibit, Wheaton
2007 February, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, Broken hart

Aleksandra, Thank you for taking your time and talking to us! Russian Artists team is honored to have such a talented and successful artist as its member!

Interviewed by Tonya Utkina at TonyaUtkina

Chocolates Etsy Front Page Treasury

Our team's Chocolates treasury created by TonyaUtkina was featured on Etsy' Front Page. Soft and warm dark and milk chocolate colors and amazingly beautiful items hand crafted by our talented Etsy fellow team mates made a great Etsy Front Page!


The following unique and beautiful Etsy artists were featured in my Chocolates treasury: allmadewithlove, daimblond, TomBjornDesigns, RosemaryManufacture, TonyaUtkina, kpersonboutique, JaneBoFelt, YuliaKazansky, YuliyaArt, lanadearg, Arctida, MyWayToSay, VitalTemptation, BlueberryCream, beautyspot, herbolution