The festive season is upon us and I just couldn’t help myself but jump right in! I have been dying to make some chocolate bark, in particular because you get to flavour it in any way you like, the options are endless! Plus it is just such an enjoyable creative process to make something, which really is so simple, look SO beautiful. My first thought on this little DIY project was that they would make the perfect handmade gift for friends and family at a christmas party. I was imagining the table set, with one of these little chocolate parcels sitting on everyone’s napkin. Not only beautiful as a decoration, but it also doubles as a thoughtful, personal treat for each individual. If you want to really get creative, you can flavour and decorate each block to suit each person. Whilst the ones I have made are quite pretty and sophisticated, it would be also fun to create some for the kiddies, decorated with all sorts of sweets. 😉

I love using edible flowers, don’t they look adorable! The one above I grated some orange rind into the melted chocolate and decorated it with pistachio nuts and a sprinkle of sea salt before it set.

I call this one my tribute to Australia. The dried mango, dessicated coconut and macadamia nuts remind me so much of my home, in particular the state of Queensland, where mangos and macadamia’s are in abundance this time of year. This was also my favorite flavour combination as I jam-packed it with toppings, as you can see. Something I highly recommend you do too!

As you will see in the recipe, I have tempered the chocolate using the microwave method. You can choose whether you want to temper or not, It’s really not going to affect the outcome too much, unless you are in a super hot climate, your chocolate might not hold. To be scientifically correct, chocolate tempering is best done with a thermometer over a double boiler. I find that too fussy so the microwave method works well for me. To find out more, just google ‘tempering chocolate’. However, to keep this activity fun, don’t complicate it too much. It really is more about having fun with the toppings! 😉 I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these as much as I have. Happy festive season! xxx

I need not even speak about how good these Polenta chips are! But I will! I think they taste equally as devine as they look. I am HUGE polenta fan! Coming from an Italian family, polenta replaced the ‘mashed potato’ sitting under our slow cooked, saucy meals. However, it wasn’t until later in life that I tasted it fried, as a chip!!! Holey Moley! I cannot ever turn down a polenta chip. I am totally hooked! On its own or dipped in a marinara sauce, It doesnt matter!

The thing is, not only do they taste great but they are so versatile. Great as a side to any meal, or an appetizer at a dinner party. The added bonus is that they are also gluten-free, as polenta is essentially cornmeal. Before you ask, ‘is it necessary to add the butter and cheese’, I will shout, YES! You are buillding flavours here! It is necessary to enjoy every mouthful of these beauties at their utmost best!

Below, I have showed you how I prepared my cooked polenta to set in a baking tray. Don’t forget, polenta swells quite a lot once it’s in water so pour it slowly into the water and stop just before your desired consistency is reached, as it will set thicker. I used 250g of polenta to fill this 1cm deep, 34cm x 27cm baking tray. It made more than enough to feed my family of five, with left overs.

A little naughty secret of mine is to not set the cooked polenta chips onto a paper towl to absorb the oil after cooking. I have found that the paper towl softens the crunch as the heat and the oil combine. Instead, I lay them ontop of a wire baking rack and place the paper towels underneath to catch the drips.  I do this when I make schnitzel too! I know what you’re thinking…..’oh its so fatty’….I say…. ‘ Trust me! You will never look back! ‘:) I know for certain that these polenta chips are far prefered in my family to potato chips, plus, they are equally as simple to make and most definitly more delicious! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Please Enjoy! xxx