CHOCOLATE STAR ANISE TRUFFLES

Chocolate Star Anise Truffles image

Yield Makes 40 truffles

Number Of Ingredients 5

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1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons crushed star anise (about 8 whole star anise)
8 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
1 tablespoon Cognac
1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps:

Bring cream to a boil with star anise in a small heavy saucepan, then remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes.
Finely grind bittersweet chocolate in a food processor and transfer to a bowl.
Return cream to a simmer, then remove from heat and stir in Cognac. Sour cream mixture through a fine sieve onto chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted and ganache is smooth. Pour ganache into an 8- by 4-inch loaf pan lined with plastic wrap, smoothing top, and chill, uncovered, until firm, about 4 hours.
Loosen edges of ganache with a sharp small knife and invert onto a cutting surface. Remove plastic wrap and cut ganache into 40 squares.
Dust your palms with cocoa and roll each piece of ganache between them to form a ball. Drop ball into cocoa bowl and turn to cover completely. Lift truffle with a fork and transfer to a plate. Chill truffles, covered, until ready to serve.