Melissa Hemsley's
Three-ingredient

chocolate pots

Ingredients

 

180g Medjool dates (about 10 large dates)

250ml nut milk

160g dark (50%–70%) chocolate

A little pinch of sea salt, plus extra to serve (optional)

​

Optional toppings

Dollop of (plant-based) cream

Chopped toasted hazelnuts or pecans

Pitted cherries or fresh

pomegranate seeds

Raspberries or strawberries

Crushed biscuits (such as ginger nut or digestive)

Method

 

Roughly tear the dates, discarding the pits, and soak in just-boiled water for 10 minutes. Even though medjool dates are soft, this helps soften them further, which is good for any blenders that might need a helping hand.

​

Heat up the nut milk in a saucepan, being careful not to boil, and remove from the heat once it’s warmed through.

​

Meanwhile, finely slice about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate to create some chocolate ‘shavings’ and set aside for garnishing.

​

Chop the rest of the chocolate and add to a blender or food processor, then pour over the hot nut milk. Drain the soaked dates and add them with the salt, then carefully blend until smooth.

​

Divide the mixture between six ramekins (see introduction) and chill in the fridge for 4 hours until set. Cover them if you’re keeping them there any longer, so they don’t pick up ‘fridge’ smells.

​

Scatter over the chocolate shavings, plus a tiny extra sprinkle of sea salt, if you like, or any of the other toppings to serve.

​

​

Extracted from FEEL GOOD BY MELISSA HEMSLEY (Ebury Press, £22) 

Photography by Lizzie Mayson