Allyson Gofton - Perfect Choux

British TV personality Jo Brand said  “Anything is good if it's made of chocolate.”  I’m certainly not going to argue with her, being a true chocaholic!    However,  I’m not so sure about the assertion that, since chocolate comes from the cacao bean, it’s a vegetable and thus holds good calories!

Suffice it that the ancient Aztecs and Mayas of South America knew the true value of chocolate 2000 years ago and utilised it as a currency.  The Spanish brought chocolate to Europe, where it was so expensive it was the province of only the wealthy and prized for supposed medicinal properties…well, we all know it helps to lift the mood, don’t we?

Nowadays chocolate is eaten worldwide in huge volumes in an infinite variety of form by people of all ages from all stratas of society.  For all that, most of us still see chocolate as “a bit of a treat” especially when we’re given a box of high quality chocolates, or find a piece of rich chocolate cake or dessert on our table.

Further, you may not have to feel too guilty; the wheel has turned again, as some research now suggests that eating chocolate in moderate quantities – as long as it’s dark chocolate – may help prevent heart disease, guard against diabetes and reduce stroke risk and is cholesterol-free. 


Recipe:
Chocolate Eclairs
These "all chocolate" éclairs will endear you to any chocaholic!


Ultimate Chocolate Mousse (pictured)
Delicious, decadent...and you can add the grated rind of one orange to make a Jaffa Mousse.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
250 grams dark chocolate
¼ cup Baileys or other cream-style liqueur
¼ cup cream
3 eggs, separated
1 cup cream, whipped

Method:

1. Place chocolate, Baileys and first measure cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of hot water.
   
2. Melt the chocolate over a low heat, leave to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg yolks to the chocolate mixture, beating well.
   
3. In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, carefully fold in the egg whites.
   
4. Pour into glasses and chill to set.
   
5. Garnish with chocolate curls.

Cooks Tips:

• For a rich tasting chocolate, look for one that has over 60% cocoa solids, like Richfiled’s or Cadbury’s Energy chocolate.
• Use white chocolate in place of dark as a variation.