Ingredients
The following ingredients have 4 Servings
- 100 g unsalted butter (or good dairy free alternative)
- 350 g good quality dark chocolate (DF/Vegan as required)
- 35 g sweetened condensed milk (dairy free as required (see main post for UK brands))
- 30 g Amaretto almond liqueur (= 2 tbsp (or alternative liqueur of choice) or use orange juice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200 g good quality granola (preferably with a high nut and/or fruit content – GF DF as required )
- 60 g glacé cherries (- quartered)
- 20 g slivered pistachios (or unsalted rough-chopped shelled pistachios )
- 20 g Rich Tea/Marie biscuits (or other plain biscuits – broken into small pieces (GF/DF/vegan as required) )
- 3 tbsp Icing sugar (confectioners/powdered sugar (approx amount))
Instruction
- In a large microwave-safe or heat-proof bowl, melt the butter with the chocolate stirring until smooth. For best results, either set over a saucepan of just simmering water, stirring until just melted. Or melt in a microwave set at medium on 30 second bursts, stirring well between each until just melted. Be careful not to over-heat.
- Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in the condensed milk, liqueur and vanilla until combined and smooth.
- Add and stir in the granola, cherries, pistachios, and broken biscuits.
- Once the mixture is evenly combined, chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes until firm, but still ‘pliable’. Keep a close eye and stir from time to time to ensure the cooling temperature remains even throughout.
- If for any reason, the mixture reaches a point that it is too stiff to work, gently reheat in a microwave on medium or over a steaming pan of water for a very short while to loosen and re-chill as necessary.
- Prepare two large sheets of baking paper, by laying flat and liberally dusting with sifted icing sugar (confectioners/powdered sugar).
- Divide the mixture in two and place one half on each of the prepared sheets of baking paper.
- Using a firm palette knife or flat knife, gently work the mixture into approximate sausage shapes (to a fatness you prefer).
- Fold the paper over the mixture, making sure the whole ‘log’ is dusted with icing sugar, and twist the ends tight to ‘seal’.
- Work the log in the wrapping into an even sausage with the hands and by rolling on the counter-top.
- When happy that the log is even, check the ends to ensure the twist is as tight as possible.
- Carefully place the two ‘salamis’ on a tray or board to keep them flat and place in the fridge to chill and firm up for an hour.
- When the chocolate has set firm, carefully remove the wrappings and (if necessary) add an extra dusting of icing sugar to any gaps in the coating.
- Dust off any excess icing sugar with a clean, dry pastry brush, so that you have a lightly ‘floured’ look to the sausage.
- Carefully tie with string, bringing round the salami at intervals of 2 to 3 cm, to create the look of a strung salami.
- Store at room temperature, wrapped/in an airtight container.
- When ready to cut, place on a wooden board and slice with a very sharp, fine knife.