Chocolate filled BBQ Bananas

This really simple recipe is the perfect end to a summer BBQ
 
Ingredients
 
1 x Banana per person
1 x 100g Bar of Premium Dark or Milk Chocolate - whichever is your preference (but not white chocolate as it will burn)
1 x Can of Squirty Cream
A tot of Dark Rum (Optional)
Freshly Ground Cinnamon
 
Method
  1. Slit each Banana length ways & insert 4 or 5 squares of the chocolate into the slit, leaving the skin on
  2. Wrap each banana in aluminium foil & place directly on the coals of the barbecue for 10 minutes - turning once
  3. Remove from the barbecue & carefully unwrap the foil & open up the slit in the banana skin
  4. Add a tot of Rum (optional) & finish with plenty of squirty cream & freshly ground cinnamon
  5. Eat straight away while the banana is still hot & the chocolate melted

5 Reasons to Eat More Chocolate

Chocolate is not bad for you! Only bad chocolate is bad for you!

Eating good quality chocolate, made with fresh wholesome ingredients and containing a high percentage of cocoa solids has several health benefits.

1. It can reduce high blood pressure - flavonoids in cocoa (procyanids) help balance blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. Researchers from Germany's University Hospital, Cologne found that cocoa consumption lowered blood pressure by an average of 4.7/2.8 mm Hg. The New York Times reported that dark chocolate is almost as effective at lowering blood pressure as common antihypertensive drugs.

2. Well Being - Cocoa contains the chemical phenylethylamine which has been found to trigger feelings similar to "falling in love."

3. It reduces risk of heart attack - a researcher from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine said that eating a few squares of dark chocolate every day may reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack by almost 50%. The study found that blood platelets clotted slower in people who eat chocolate.

4. Improves processing of blood sugar - an Italian study found that dark chocolate consumption increased the body's metabolism of blood sugar and may reduce the risk of diabetes.

5. It can ease a persistent cough - a UK study found that theobromine, a component in cocoa, may be more effective as a cough medicine than standard drug treatments. The research showed that "theobromine acts on the sensory nerve endings of the vagus nerve, which runs through the airways in the lungs to the brain."

www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk

Graham the Milk

Here is our local milkman Graham (aka Graham the Milk) supplier of top quality dairy produce & teller of poor quality jokes!
 
Come rain or shine Graham delivers the milk to the Chocolate Café in Ramsbottom six days a week throughout the year.
 
All our milk and cream comes from John Kenyon & Sons Dairy in Summerseat, which is less than two miles from the café. Kenyon's have their own dairy herd and also purchase directly from several other local farms.
 
The protein content & creaminess of the milk varies slightly throughout the year depending on the weather. In the warm, wet spring & summer months, when the grass is rich & lush, the milk is creamier & richer in protein. This means that it can on occasion be difficult to froth & sometimes requires a splash of skimmed milk or water to help it along.
 
In an average week we use between 200 - 250 litres of milk & around 5 litres of cream.
 
We love the quality of the produce & are proud to support a great local business.
 

Milk Chocolate, Pistachio & Pork Scratching Fudge Recipe

 Ingredients

350g milk chocolate - broken into pieces
1 x 397g can condensed milk
25g butter
25g Pork Scratchings - roughly chopped
100g shelled pistachio nuts - roughly chopped

 

Method

1. Completely melt the butter and chocolate on a low heat in a microwave or on the hob, stirring regularly.
2. Add the pistachio nuts, pork scratchings and condensed milk to the melted chocolate and butter mixture and stir well.
3. Pour the fudge mixture into a medium baking tray and smooth flat.
4. Place the fudge mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.
5. Cut into bite size pieces and enjoy straight away or wrap in little squares of greaseproof paper and store in the fridge.

 

Unusual Father's Day Gift Ideas

Forget the socks this year and show your dad you love him with some wacky chocolate treats
 
Father's Day in the UK is Sunday 20th June, and we have a host of chocolate treats to make even the grumpiest dad smile
 
Our chocolate pizzas are always a favourite. Or, what about a bespoke chocolate hamper full of lovely chocolate beer?
 
If none of those fit the bill then may I suggest a Weird and Wonderful Tasting Bundle from the wonderful people at Zotter Chocolate. Containing chocolate filled with Bacon, Goats Cheese, Birds Eye Chilli and Red Wine and Pumpkin it must surely be the perfect gift for even the fussiest father.
 
 
If that's all a bit too much there is always http://www.sockshop.co.uk/
 

Chocolate - A great way to thank your customers or reward your staff

Quality chocolate is a great way to reward your customers for their loyalty or to thank your staff for their hard work.
 
We send out hundreds of corporate gifts at Christmas and Easter for both local and national companies.
 
But for maximum impact why not reward them when they least expect it!
 
Summer is a time when we receive very few corporate orders, and yet it is a time when your gesture could have maximum impact. We have a range of bespoke chocolate gifts starting from as little as £5.00. They are ideal if you are looking to reward key members of staff for their hard work, or if you are looking to attract new customers, retain existing ones, or launch a new product or service.
 
You can view a range of our gourmet chocolates, chocolate pizzas and chocolate hampers online at www.chocolate-cafe.co.uk you can email your requirements to us manager@chocolate-cafe.co.uk or call us on 01706 822828.
 
We can personalise any gift and we deliver throughout the UK from our shop in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester.
 

An Evening with "Hot Chocolate" at The Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival

Kennie Simon, a top Hot Chocolate tribute act, will be providing the entertainment at an exclusive chocolate evening on March 27 as part of this year's Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival.

The evening with Hot Chocolate takes place at Ramsbottom Civic Hall between 7.30pm and 1am and features a high quality three-course hot buffet brought to you from local award winning chefs and chocolatiers.

John Slattery from Slattery's Chocolatier in Whitefield, Paul Morris from the Chocolate Café in Ramsbottom and  Mike Harrison from Zest Fine Food in Bolton have create a unique menu which is packed full of unusual starters, main courses and desserts, which have one thing in common - they all contain high quality chocolate.

On the menu for the evening are a range of 14 different chocolate treats ranging from Bury Black Pudding dipped in 70% bitter chocolate for starters to Billionaires Chocolate Caramel Crunch for dessert. If that doesn't take your fancy you could also try Roast Salmon with Vanilla and white chocolate sauce or the "to die for" triple chocolate mousse.

A glass of complimentary wine, chosen by the experts from the Vineyard in Ramsbottom, will be served with the main course and dessert and the meal will be topped off with a Hot Chocolate shot. A bar will be open in the civic suite throughout the evening.

Tickets for the event cost £35 and are available from Bury Tourist Information 0161 253 5111.

This is just one of the many events taking place at this year's Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival, which takes place on March 27 and 28 in venues across Ramsbottom town centre.

Plans for this year's festival include a chocolate market, a world record attempt to see how many Ferrero Rocher can be eaten in a minute, plus competitions all with chocolate themed prizes.

Check out www.ramsbottomchocolatefestival.com for more information.