3 ways with ... Chocolate

Chocolate Mousse. Photo / Listener

Hidden danger
Slip a square of chocolate (dark is best) into a batch of cupcakes or little éclairs. Scatter on puff pastry and roll into crescents or dot through brioche for a cheat's version of pain au chocolat.

Hidden danger 2
Fool the anti-vegetable brigade with chocolate versions of vegetable cakes such as grated courgettes, beetroot or carrot.

Hot stuff
Chocolate is great paired with hot chilli. Add a dash of powder to chocolate mousse or truffles. Or mix up the famous Mexican mole sauce of chillies, spices, raisins or prunes, tomatoes and sesame seeds to simmer over chicken or pulled pork. Serve with tortillas and a garnish of coriander, lime and avocado.