Salame del re

Il Salame del Re is a typical spoon dessert from Piedmont that resembles the shape of a salami but is made with chocolate and other sweet ingredients. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 200 g of dark chocolate
• 100 g of powdered sugar
• 100 g of soft butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 200 g of dry biscuits like Oro Saiwa
• 50 g of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 100 g of toasted and coarsely chopped hazelnuts
• Rum or liqueur to taste (optional)
• Powdered sugar for decorating

Preparation

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, making sure to stir it until it is completely smooth.
2. Cream the butter at room temperature with the powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Add the egg yolks to the butter cream, mixing well after each addition.
4. Mix the melted chocolate into the butter, sugar, and egg yolk mixture, and stir until everything is well combined.
5. Add the cocoa powder and, if desired, a splash of rum or another liqueur to taste.
6. Crumble the dry biscuits into not too small pieces and fold them into the mixture along with the chopped hazelnuts.
7. Pour the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape it into a salami by rolling and tightening at the ends like a candy wrapper.
8. Place the Salame del Re in the refrigerator for at least 4-5 hours to firm up.
9. Before serving, remove the roll from the paper and dust the Salame del Re with a bit of powdered sugar.

Curiosity

The name “Salame del Re” might puzzle those who are not familiar with the dessert, but once tasted, it is easy to understand the reason for this regal title: the richness of the ingredients and the intense taste of chocolate make it a truly noble and appreciated dessert.

Remember that you can customize this dessert according to your taste, for example by adding candied orange peel or by substituting the type of liqueur with your preferred one.