Tag Archives: chocolate

A bowl of cherries…..becomes Cherry and Choc Chip Gelato

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Fantastic crop of cherries this year, after 2 years of none.

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With the yellow and red cherries, I have made

  • Cherry, Vanilla and Lavender Jam
  • Cherry Pie Filling
  • Cherry and Cinnamon Samosas

and have about 10kg of frozen, stoned fruit to do something else with later.

Now the luscious dark red cherries are ripening. We have eaten handfuls of them just as they are, dripping with juice and with a lovely mix of sharpness and sweetness. Every day of sunshine sees them getting darker and sweeter.

This evening I picked some especially for making my version of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia – fabulous flavour and not too bad on the calories (well I hope not, it IS a fast day…)

I suppose strictly this can’t be called Ice Cream, as it is made with Fromage Frais, not Cream. I decided on Gelato, as this has a softer texture, and is lower fat. Yummy.

Please note this recipe contains raw egg.

The calorie count is incorrect in the Recipe Card. On MyFitnessPal it came out to nearly 200 calories a serving! oops. If I can figure out what it doesn’t like, I’ll correct it.

Cherry and Choc Chip Gelato
Serves 6
a light but luscious frozen fromage frais dessert, with cherries, dark chocolate and a hint of kirsch
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Ingredients
  1. 50g dark chocolate
  2. 100g Bing cherries
  3. 15ml kirsch liqueur
  4. 2 eggs
  5. 50g soft brown sugar
  6. 500g fromage frais
Instructions
  1. Pre-chill the ice-cream maker.
  2. Halve the cherries and put in a bowl with the kirsch, then refrigerate until needed.
  3. Chop the chocolate, then refrigerate.
  4. Whisk the eggs until light and fluffy.
  5. Add the sugar and fromage frais and mix with the whisk.
  6. Pour into the ice cream maker.
  7. Shortly before the ice cream is ready, add the cherries and chocolate and leave to mix for a couple of minutes longer.
  8. Transfer to a plastic container with lid and put in the freezer to firm up, for up to about 30 minutes, then serve.
Notes
  1. Best made shortly before serving.
  2. If freezing for a longer time, remove from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving so that it can soften enough to scoop.
  3. Serving based on 2 good sized scoops.
  4. Please note: this recipe contains raw egg.
Adapted from Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia
Adapted from Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia
Focus on Flavour https://www.focusonflavour.com/

Red Bean and Chocolate Chilli

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I love Mexican flavours –  what an excellent excuse to add a good grating of dark chocolate to your food! 

Turkey Chilli

I used lean turkey, but you could use soya mince or quorn for a veggie version.

Serve with guacamole (1/2 serving – 43 kcals), low fat fromage frais or yogurt (1/4 pot -14 kcals), a little grated strong flavoured cheese – like Cheddar or Red Leicester (5g – 21 kcals), shredded lettuce , sliced spring onions , tomato salsa (1 tblsp – 5kcals) – and a few taco chips (20g – 100 kcals). Even with a small portion of brown rice (1/4 cup cooked, 54 kcals), this comes in at under 450 calories (as long as you stick to my portion sizes! Chaps can have more, of course). So this works for a Fast Day or any day of healthy eating to support weight loss.

I was lucky to be given a block of Willie’s 100% cocoa Venezuelan Black chocolate by some appreciative guests – a great ingredient and lasts for ages! A little dusting on a dessert is lovely but it is also very good in savoury dishes such as this. Just adds that little something, but hardly any calories. 

Red Bean and Chocolate Chilli
Serves 4
Spicy and delicious chilli
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Ingredients
  1. 1 tblsp olive oil
  2. 1 onion, chopped
  3. 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  4. 175g lean turkey (or soya mince or quorn)
  5. 1/2 tsp Mexican chilli powder
  6. 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  7. 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, ground
  8. 200g peeled plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
  9. 400g can red kidney beans, drained
  10. 10g grated dark chocolate (100% cocoa if possible)
  11. 1 tblsp chopped coriander leaves
Instructions
  1. If using turkey, chop finely or mince in a food processor.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and gently sauté the onions and garlic until soft and golden.
  3. Add the turkey or vegetarian alternative and stir-fry until lightly coloured all over.
  4. Add the spices and mix well.
  5. Pour in the tomatoes and beans and bring to a simmer.
  6. Check the seasoning.
  7. Cook for 15 - 20 minutes, adding a little water if necessary to stop it getting too dry.
  8. Transfer to a serving dish and grate over the chocolate and garnish with chopped coriander.
Notes
  1. Serve with shredded lettuce, grated strong cheese, sliced spring onion, tomato salsa, guacamole, low fat fromage frais (or sour cream if you have calories to spare...) and a few taco chips.
Focus on Flavour https://www.focusonflavour.com/