All Images / Mike Ahern
It's been one of 'those' weeks where crazy circumstances outside of my control have nudged my thoughts back to happier times in Rome. I think we call this 'escapism'?
Asides from possessing an inherent ability to dress themselves immaculately, there's one thing that Italian's always do so well; take time out. Work or no work, there's always time for a cappuccino or a sociable afternoon glass of wine. Sure we can grab a take-out coffee here in the UK but it in comparison it all seems so hurried. I need to take note.
So today I am rolling it back and taking time out to remember my recent trip whilst indulging on a devilishly rich cup of Italian hot chocolate - definitely not for the faint-hearted! It's actually a favourite afternoon tipple of mine at my local Italian deli, Roscoff's in Bath, but here I decided to make my own version.
Wherever you are in the world right now, I hope you make some time for a 'you' moment.
Ingredients:
200g Good quality dark chocolate
100ml Single cream
2 tsp Icing sugar
How to make:
Place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. Break the chocolate into pieces and place in the bowl along with the icing sugar and a drop of cream. Once the chocolate has melted and the icing sugar dissolved, add the remaining cream. Pour a small amount of the hot chocolate into a cup (I used espresso cups) and serve: Perfezioni!
Tip: for a super-rich dessert, pop a cup into the refrigerator to chill!