5 ways with... chocolate

It’s the food of the gods and we eat tonnes of it every year, so let’s put chocolate in the spotlight. Show off its versatility with these suggestions and make the most of the ultimate treat

1 Tart it up

Pimp up pastry by adding cocoa. Fill chocolate pastry tarts with a creamy orange custard and drizzle with melted chocolate for the dessert of dreams. Plus, chocolate and orange is a huge trend at the moment that’s well worth getting onboard with.

2 The dark side

Give hot chocolate a makeover by heating dark chocolate, milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup together and topping with lashings of fresh cream, mini marshmallows and a generous sprinkling of cocoa.

3 Top it off

Whip up a rich and velvety batch of chocolate ganache from dark chocolate and cream and use to top cupcakes, tarts, chocolate cakes and whatever else you fancy.

4 Good morning!

Overnight oats has become a morning mega trend as a quick and easy breakfast that fuels consumers right through to lunch. And with oats packing a healthy punch, it’s a great option for breakfast on the go. Mix up oats and cocoa powder in a jar, blend milk and chopped banana together, pour over the oats and stir, then chill overnight. Make it dairy-free by replacing the cows’ milk with almond milk.

5 Savoury twist

Surprise customers by adding chocolate to savoury dishes. Chilli and dark chocolate is a classic sweetsavoury combo. Add to a chilli con carne or beef stew for a rich, full flavour, use in a dressing to drizzle over enchiladas, a vinaigrette for salads, in a barbecue sauce or a mole sauce to top grilled chicken or pork. Add cocoa powder to a rub for ribs and meat, in a sauce for steak and to pasta dough. White chocolate is great in a light and creamy sauce to pair with salmon and in pasta dishes.