C is for Celebrate and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…and a recipe

Let’s celebrate  – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory turns 50 this month! Written by Roald Dahl, it was published in 1964 and has become a classic of children’s literature. Yes, there have been 2 movies and a musical made based on the story but I still prefer the book. It is the tale of Willie Wonka, an eccentric chocolate maker, who is opening the doors to his factory for the first time to the lucky five who find a golden ticket in their Wonka bar. The book introduces us to characters such as Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, and of course the Oompa Loompas. Who can’t help but cheer for Charlie Bucket?

“Mother! Look! I’ve got it! Look, Mother, look! The last Golden ticket! It’s mine! I found some money in the street and I bought two bars of chocolate and the second one had the Golden Ticket and there were crowds of people all around me wanting to see it and the shopkeeper rescued me and I ran all the way home and here I am! IT’S THE FIFTH GOLDEN TICKET, MOTHER, AND I’VE FOUND IT!”

If you are going to England, you will want to visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre or you can take a virtual field trip at http://www.roalddahl.com/museum/virtual-museum-tour

Thinking about Chocolate Factories makes me want to go on a tour to see how chocolate is made. TCHO is a wonderful chocolate company that has recently moved from San Francisco to Berkeley, CA and will soon resume free tours of its facility. You can find information at  http://tcho.com/tour/  Until then, you can learn all about their chocolate making process on a virtual tour at www.californiatouristguide.com/another-chocolate-maker-in-san-francisco/

Here’s a super simple chocolate candy recipe that I made with the kinders and first grade children:

• 3 cups chocolate chips
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• toppings ( sprinkles or chopped nuts)

1. melt chocolate in the microwave for 3 minutes ( stop and stir after a minute and a half)
2. stir in sweetened condensed milk
3. chill until firm
4. roll into balls. Roll the balls in the toppings.
5. Chill a bit until ready to eat.

This makes about 5 dozen chocolate balls