White Chocolate Salami

This no-bake, White Chocolate Salami is an easy and tasty Italian Christmas sweet treat. A simple combination of 5 ingredients: white chocolate, nuts, cranberries, orange zest and butter cookies.

12 ounces (350 grams) white baking chocolate
1 cup (150 grams) mixed unsalted roasted nuts, eg pistachios and whole almonds 
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/4 cup (37 grams) plain vanilla cookies, broken into pieces
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

• Add the chocolate to a microwave-proof dish 
• Microwave on high in 20 second increments, stirring in between until it has melted. 
• Alternately, you can use a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water. 
• Stir in the nuts, cranberries, orange zest, and cookies. 
• Set aside to cool at room temperature.
• Once cool to the touch, spread a large piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper onto your surface.
• Remove the mix from the bowl using a butter knife loosening from the edges onto the plastic or paper. 
• Some of it may be crumbly, the center may still be warm. 
• Use your hands to shape into a log, use the plastic or paper to roll, pressing tightly it into a log shape. Be patient, it will take some effort. 
• Twist the ends to make it look like a salami.
• Refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. 
• Once firm, remove from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature before slicing. 
• Remove from plastic wrap or paper and roll in powdered sugar. 
• Tie kitchen twine around for effect and cut into 1/4 inch slices using a sharp knife. 
• Parts may crumble, but the sharp knife will help with this.

Recipe: Culinary Ginger