Upon entering a chocolate shop anywhere on the planet, our eyes often immediately gaze at the glass case full of chocolate truffles. Most seem to be dark chocolate, yet for for the milk chocolate and white chocolate connoisseur, there seems to be something for every palette.

The price is usually steep for these balls of rich delight, and the garnish and packaging is exquisite. As a gift, chocolate truffles are sure to please even the fussiest eaters.

What is a chocolate truffle and where does it come from? I was first introduced to the chocolate truffle in cooking school, where I attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, New York. "Patisserie" class quickly became my favorite. It is there that I learned to create scrumptious cakes, desserts and the illustrious chocolate truffles.

Over the course of my career my employment changed from year to year. What never changed was the truffles I would prepare for holidays and give as gifts. In 1991, I no longer wished to work in restaurants and was uncertain about my next career move. My Mom said something perfect, "Sandra, you know those chocolates you make every year for Christmas? Why don't you move in with me and open a chocolate shop?" On July 4, 1991, The Kent Coffee and Chocolate Company was born in Kent, Connecticut, specializing in chocolate truffles!

According to legend, the first chocolate truffle was accidentally created during the 1920's in the kitchen of the great French chef, Auguste Escoffier. One of his apprentices accidentally poured hot cream into a bowl of chocolate chunks instead of the bowl of sugar and eggs he had been aiming for! As the mixture hardened (we now call it ganache), he found he could work the the paste with his hands to for a ball. He rolled the creation in cocoa powder and was struck by the resemblance to the rare, edible mushroom that is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Specially trained dogs and female pigs are the only ones that can sniff out these truffles deep under the ground.

Certainly, you have sniffed out a chocolate truffle or two in your time, or you would not be here reading this article! Below is a great, simple chocolate truffle recipe. Feel free to play with flavorings and ingredients.

Easy Yet Decadent Chocolate Truffles

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or any liqueur like Orange, Amaretto or Irish Cream)

DIRECTIONS:

In large saucepan, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer the mixture into a medium bowl. Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

Shape mixture into 1 inch balls; roll in desired covering below: Cocoa powder, chopped nuts, chocolate sprinkles, melted chocolate

Refrigerate in a tightly covered dish. Makes about 72, 1 inch chocolate truffles.