Chocolate Salami

Embrace any change - that is all that comes to my mind right now. I like one of  Martin Luther King Jr. quotes: "the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy". Though routine and order are great I believe it is the change and the challenge what make us grow and make us stronger.
I started this blog to challenge myself and break out of the rut. Since then I have had some incredible things happen to me. The changes are not related to this blog, but I feel that "Life in Chocolate" has had an incredible positive influence on my life and I am very grateful for that. Here is one more chocolate recipe to celebrate my happiness:) My family and friends looove this chocolate salami:) One time I was making it late at night so our friend could take it on a cross-country trip with him! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

a little over 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

5 tbsp milk 

250 gr shortbread cookies

1 cup walnuts

3/4 cups butter at room temperature

In a small pan mix together sugar, cocoa and milk. Put it on a stove on a low heat setting and stir until all the ingredients are well mixed (2-4 minutes). Leave it on a stove till it starts boiling (approx 10 minutes). Stir occasionally. Once the liquid starts boiling, take it off the stove and let it cool down for a couple of minutes. Stir in the butter and mix until it fully dissolves. Pour the liquid into a large bowl.

Put half of cookies and half of walnuts in a food processor and run it till they are coarsely crumbled. Break the other half of cookies and nuts with your hands into rough pieces.

Start adding the cookie-walnut mixture to the bowl and mix. The mixture should be viscous, with the texture resembling raw ground beef. Divide the mixture into 3 portions. Prepare 3 sheets of parchment paper. Place each portion on one end of the prepared sheet and with your hands shape the mass in the form of a sausage. Roll it up in the parchment paper. Make sure the mixture doesn't lose the form and stretch from the sides while you are rolling it up. Roll the parchment paper in aluminum foil to further secure the form. Repeat with the rest of the mixture. 

Place the "salamis" in the freezer.  Slice right before serving with a sharp knife. Keep in the fridge or the freezer.  Serve cold.

Tips:

- You can use cookies and nuts in different proportions, depending on your taste

- Secure the salami tight in aluminum foil as it can become loose and can break when being sliced

- If it breaks when you slice it, place it in the fridge or leave in the kitchen for some time, so it can warm up and get some moisture
- You can omit the parchment paper and roll it straight in the foil

Enjoy!