World Chocolate Day: These 3 Recipes By Chefs Pair Chocolate with Something Wholesome

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Chocolate doesn't need an occasion, but 7th July gives it one anyway. World Chocolate Day marks the day the treat is believed to have arrived in Europe back in 1550, and chefs have used it as an excuse to get creative ever since. This year, three chefs pair chocolate with pecans, pistachios and cherries - a mud pie with a caramelised nut crunch, a magnum-style ice pop dipped in dark chocolate, and a no-bake ice cream cake. Simple, wholesome ingredients mean the indulgence comes with a little more substance than sugar alone.

Photo Credit: PR Handout

Chocolate Mud Pie

By Chef Natasha Gandhi on behalf of American Pecans

Photo Credit: PR Handout

Ingredients

• 1 cup American Pecan nuts
• 1 cup dates
• 6-inch cheesecake mould
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 15 grams cornstarch
• 20 grams cacao powder
• 2 tbsp water or hot milk
• 1/4 cup jaggery
• 1 cup sugar
• Cinnamon powd+er
• Sea salt

Process

For the base:

1. Roast a cup of American pecan nuts. Blend this with a cup of date till a sticky mixture is formed.
2. Take a cheesecake mould, add the mixture and press firmly to form the base.

For the Filling:

1. Heat 3 cups of milk; once it reaches a simmer, add 1 cup of chocolate chips. Let it melt.
2. Now mix together cornstarch and cacao powder and add 2 tbsp water or hot milk mixture to this.
3. Add this to the chocolate milk mixture along with a cup of jaggery.
4. Give it a good mix and let it simmer and let it thicken.
5. Let it cool, pour over the base and let it set in the fridge for 6-7hrs or overnight.
6. For the caramelised
7. Heat a cup of sugar and let it melt.
8. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder and American pecans.
9. Coat it well and let it cool.
10. Sprinkle sea salt.
11. Assemble the Mud Pie and enjoy

Pistachio Magnum

By Shivesh Bhatia on behalf of American Pistachio Growers

Photo Credit: PR Handout

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup American pistachio paste
• 1/3 cup yoghurt
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 cup dark chocolate, for the chocolate shell

Method:

1. Blend 2/3 cup American pistachios into a smooth paste and measure out 1/3 cup.
2. Mix the pistachio paste, yoghurt, honey, and milk until smooth.
3. Pour into popsicle moulds, insert sticks, and freeze for 7-8 hours or overnight.
4. Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. Let it cool slightly, then pour it into a tall glass for easy dipping.
5. Carefully remove the frozen bars from the moulds and dip each one into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated.
6. Place the coated bars on a parchment-lined plate or tray and return them to the freezer for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate shell has completely hardened.

Black Forest Ice Cream Cake

By Chef Meghna Kamdar on behalf of US Northwest Cherries

Photo Credit: PR Handout

Ingredients

• 1 chocolate sponge cake, cut into slices or pieces
• 1 litre vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• 1 cup chopped US Northwest cherries (fresh or canned, drained)
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• Cling wrap
• Chocolate sauce or chocolate ganache (optional, for serving)

Method

1. Line a medium-sized bowl with cling wrap, leaving enough overhang on the sides to cover the top later.
2. Arrange the chocolate cake pieces around the sides and base of the bowl, creating an even layer.
3. Fill the bowl with softened vanilla ice cream.
4. Fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the ice cream.
5. Cover the filling with another layer of chocolate cake pieces.
6. Fold the overhanging cling wrap over the top to seal the cake and freeze for 4-5 hours, or until completely firm.
7. Once set, carefully unmould the ice cream cake onto a serving plate and remove the cling wrap.
8. Slice and serve immediately.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.