Introduction: Chocolate Chow Mein Clusters
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About: I am a person of many talents, a jack of all trades if you will. Most of what I do on a day to day basis is included in my interests. I am a Machinist with a degree in Mechanical Drafting trying to figure out…
I think simple desserts are some of the best out there. These Chocolate Chow Mein Clusters (or as my daughter calls them "Choco-Chow") will delight everyone, young and old.
Step 1: Ingredients
You are going to need:
If you don't have access to youtube, or have limited bandwith, I will now do my best to explain a double boiler. A double boiler is a method used to melt chocolate, that uses indirect heat. This allows the chocolate to melt with a consistent heat, allowing it to be smoother, and when it solidifies, it will have a better texture.
To make a double boiler, find a stovetop safe pot, and a glass or metal bowl that fits on top of it. Fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water. Just enough water to create a sufficient amount of steam, without boiling dry. Make sure you don't add so much water that it touches the bottom of the glass/metal bowl where the chocolate will be melted.
- 12oz Milk Chocolate Chips
- 6oz Peanut Butter Chips
- 6oz Chow Mein Noodles
- Wax Paper
- A good plastic spatula for the melting and the mixing
- 2 Spoons
- You will also need to set up a double boiler to melt your chocolate and peanut butter chips. If you do not know how to do this, THIS VIDEO has a great explanation of how to set one up. I do not recommend melting your chocolate and peanut butter chips in the microwave, as every time I have done this in the past, it seizes.
If you don't have access to youtube, or have limited bandwith, I will now do my best to explain a double boiler. A double boiler is a method used to melt chocolate, that uses indirect heat. This allows the chocolate to melt with a consistent heat, allowing it to be smoother, and when it solidifies, it will have a better texture.
To make a double boiler, find a stovetop safe pot, and a glass or metal bowl that fits on top of it. Fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water. Just enough water to create a sufficient amount of steam, without boiling dry. Make sure you don't add so much water that it touches the bottom of the glass/metal bowl where the chocolate will be melted.
- Lastly, lay out your wax paper on a flat, smooth surface. Since you will be putting molten chocolate and chow mein onto it to solidify, you don't want your mix flowing where you don't intend it to go.
Step 2: Preparation
Start by melting down your chocolate and peanut butter chips in the double boiler. Stir the chocolate/peanut butter mix every few minutes, making sure to scrape the bottom and the sides with your plastic spatula until a smooth consistency is achieved.
Now is when you need to move fairly quickly. To ensure your chocolate doesn't start to set before you get it all done.
Remove your melted chocolate/peanut butter from the pot of boiling water, and set the bowl on a towel to make sure your counter doesn't get wet or damaged by the heat.
While the chocolate/peanut butter is still hot, mix in your chow mein noodles. Try to be fairly gentle, but thorough. You need to make sure every noodle is covered.
Take your two spoons, and take out clumps of the mixture, roughly 1.5-2 inches across, and place them on the wax paper. Do this with the entire mixture.
Let the clusters set for about an hour, to make sure they solidify at room temperature, then place them in a tupperware container, and refrigerate. Letting the clusters solidify at room temperature makes for a more melt-in-your-mouth texture.
If you want to get creative with this, I have added strawberries or blueberries to the clusters. To do this:
Now is when you need to move fairly quickly. To ensure your chocolate doesn't start to set before you get it all done.
Remove your melted chocolate/peanut butter from the pot of boiling water, and set the bowl on a towel to make sure your counter doesn't get wet or damaged by the heat.
While the chocolate/peanut butter is still hot, mix in your chow mein noodles. Try to be fairly gentle, but thorough. You need to make sure every noodle is covered.
Take your two spoons, and take out clumps of the mixture, roughly 1.5-2 inches across, and place them on the wax paper. Do this with the entire mixture.
Let the clusters set for about an hour, to make sure they solidify at room temperature, then place them in a tupperware container, and refrigerate. Letting the clusters solidify at room temperature makes for a more melt-in-your-mouth texture.
If you want to get creative with this, I have added strawberries or blueberries to the clusters. To do this:
- For strawberries, clean and slice them in half. Place them flat side down on your wax paper. When making your clusters, place them on top of the strawberries and let them slowly mold over the strawberry half.
- For blueberries, its the same procedure, just don't cut them in half, and you can put 2-3 blueberries in a cluster
