Chocolate Sausage (saucisson Au Chocolat)

• ounces manjari de valrhona chocolate or 4 ounces other quality bittersweet chocolate↗4
• tablespoons unsalted butter↗3
• cup chopped almonds (50 g)1⁄4
• cup chopped dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, etc. 100 g)1⁄3
• 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or 1 tablespoon Cointreau liqueur (or orange flavoring)↗1
• grated zest orange (peel)
• tablespoon sifted icing sugar1 -2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter together.

2. 2

   Roast almonds until lightly browned in 350 degree F (180 C) oven.

3. 3

   Soak nuts and dried fruit in liqueur, then add grated orange peel.

4. 4

   Stir nut mixture into melted chocolate mixture and transfer to a clean, flat surface.

5. 5

   Using your hands, roll chocolate mixture into a long sausage shape, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill.

6. 6

   Just before serving, remove plastic and roll sausage in sugar to give it the look of a meat sausage.

7. 7

   Slice into 16 cookie-like slices and serve at once.