Guest Author - Chidori Phillips
On Valentine's Day, every male should receive a giri-choco gift from at least one woman in his life, even if they are co-workers or friends. Giri-choco, or obligation chocolate, is expressedly given to non-love interest males on this day and if a man does not receive any giri-choco, it is a source of social embarrassment.
Show your male friends that they are appreciated by the opposite sex with a quick and easy giri-choco gift. Because it is acceptable to give lesser quality chocolate as a giri-choco gift, feel fine about using chocolate chips in this recipe rather than a premium quality chocolate. Crushed wasabi-coated peas give these molded chocolates a yummy crunch and kick which men seem to like. It is not a childfs chocolate.
Use any shaped plastic (food-safe) mold. You can find them at local craft stores or online. The variety is much better online. Ifve found molds shaped like Elvis Presley, Yorkshire terrier dogs and all the 50 states to the usual hearts, flowers and geometric shapes. Remember that the larger the mold the more chocolate youfll require.
If you donft have fancy molds, you can use a mini-tart pan and some candy paper liners for chocolate cups. Alternatively, you can use a baking pan as a mold but be sure to score or cut the cooling chocolate with a sharp, lightly oiled knife (wipe the knife after each cut) while it is still soft so the chocolate can be separated into bars or squares when completely hardened.
Wrap them in small cellophane bags tied with a ribbon or make your own chocolate bar wrappers using your computer printer.
Easy Wasabi Chocolate Crisps
1-1/2 cups wasabi-coated green peas*
1 16 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
small food-safe chocolate molds
Place wasabi-coated peas in a plastic, zip-top bag. Be sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible. Using a rolling pin, crush the peas until they are small bits but not a fine powder. In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips while stirring slowly. Remove from heat and add the crushed wasabi peas. Pour into clean food-safe molds. Allow to harden overnight. Unmold and wrap in small cellophane bags. Store in a cool, dry place.
Chocolate Wasabi Pea Clusters Recipe
Use the above recipe except do not crush the wasabi peas. Blend whole wasabi-coated green peas into the melted chocolate. Using your hand, pick up a cluster of chocolate-coated peas and place it onto a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. You also can place each cluster into a paper candy cup. Allow the clusters to set.
*Note: These are sold in the snack section of Asian markets.
