I will be a lady of few words today… as you may have noticed I have been plugging away daily with the giveaways series and I must confess I am looking forward to the last one this Friday!
The Waitrose and Green & Black’s giveaways in particular have gone down a storm (they close on Dec 12 and 13) and next week we have an amazing £100 Interflora hamper for someone to win.
Today we have an INTERNATIONAL giveaway, you see I have not forgotten my international readers who form around 50% of the visitors to this site.
Anyone in the world visiting this post can win a box of seductive Matcha Chocolat Chai Caramels, find out how in a moment…
This post is also a joint tribute to my friends Meeta and Jamie who visited last month.
Meeta likes a good pot-de-creme and Jamie gave me this glorious vanilla chestnut puree. So I put my two friends together and came up with something wonderful.
My tripod came in useful this afternoon, would you believe I took these pictures at 3pm in December with barely any light. Some of the exposures were over a second long.
You’ll hear more about these Jamie Oliver knives later this week too…
Today’s recipe is based on Chocolate Chestnut Pots from Nigella Christmas which is in itself an adaptation of an earlier simple chocolate pot recipe from Nigella Express.
Beyond heating cream and blitzing chocolate in the food processor (which is strangely good fun), there’s not a lot to do other than pour it into the glasses and lick the spoon afterwards.
I am so pleased with these simple desserts that I am sending them everywhere.
First stop is Meeta’s Monthly Mingle which this month is being hosted by Ria Mathew of Ria’s Collection with the theme “chocolate extravaganza.” Ria recently won one of the categories in “Does My Blog Look Good in This” for her tempting donut picture used in the graphic above.
Back in the UK, I am also sharing this with Choclogblog and The Chocolate Teapot‘s monthly event We Should Cocoa. The ingredient being paired with chocolate this month is dates. Hence the addition of dates tumbled into the bottom of these choccie puddings.
…and dare I say it, I’m also cheekily using this as an opportunity to remind you about my new blogging event Forever Nigella which you can read about here.
Date Chocolate Chestnut Verrines
Adapted from Chestnut Chocolate Pots, Nigella ChristmasMakes 5-6 individual desserts
Ingredients:
175g milk chocolate
125ml double cream
125ml milk
1 egg
1 x 250g can sweetened vanilla chestnut puree (or plain sweetened will do)
30ml dark rum
18-20 pitted dates, roughly chopped
2-3 mini meringues or amaretti biscuits, crumbled for decoration (optional)Directions:
1. Blitz the chocolate in the food processor and remove the lid.
2. Warm the milk and cream in a small saucepan. As it nearly reaches the boil, pour in the processor on top of the chocolate crumbs.
3. Allow to stand for 30 seconds then replace the lid and blitz for another 30 seconds. Then crack the egg down the funnel and blitz for another 45 seconds.
4. Remove the lid and add the chestnut puree and rum. Replacing the lid, pulse until combined.
5. Tumble the chopped dates into 6 verrine glasses or small pots.
6. Remove the processor blade and pour the batter into a jug before decanting carefully into your pots. Sprinkle over the crumbled meringues or amaretti if using.
7. Chill for at least one hour before serving.Nigella says you can freeze these puddings for up to one week if you put them in ceramic pots and cover. Defrost them overnight in the fridge if you do this.
Matcha Chocolat Chai Caramels giveaway:
There is one mandatory way to enter and several ways to get bonus entries.
This giveaway is open internationally and the gift will be posted anywhere in the world subject to countries’ own restrictions on imported goods.
The winner will be chosen using an online randomiser and announced in a subsequent post on this blog – the winners of several of the 12 giveaways will be will announced together across 2-3 posts according to their closing dates.
To win:
1. Mandatory. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
2. Second chance to win, tweet a link to this giveaway as follows: “Win @matcha_chocolat Chai Caramels @maisoncupcake” WITH A LINK TO THIS POST as it may no longer be the home page item if you enter later this week. Then leave a second comment saying you’ve done so telling me your Twitter ID.
3. For a third chance to win, follow @matcha_chocolat on Twitter.
You must leave a further separate comment for each bonus entry otherwise they cannot be selected in the draw.
Closing date: midnight GMT on Friday December 17th 2010.The winner will be notified by email. If the winner does not reply within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.Good luck everyone!With thanks to Matcha Chocolat
Also up for grabs during the Maison Cupcake 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways:
Waitrose Christmas goodies RRP £35 Closes Dec 12
Green & Black’s Ultimate Chocolate Chef gift set Closes Dec 13
Nigella Living Collection Measuring Cups Closes Jan 16 (bloggers’ competition, international)
Alex Polizzi’s Little Black Book of Hotels Closes Dec 14
Sainsbury’s Different by Design cookware Closes Dec 15
Heinz Hamper Closes Dec 16
Interflora Christmas Hamper RRP £100 RRP £100
Eric Lanlard’s “Home Bake” from Octopus Books
Cookware from Jamie Oliver and Mum et Moi
Spices from Steenbergs
and more!
Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to see which prize is next!
If you like these chocolate pots then you’ll love my Pinterest board “Lovely Things in Jars”.
Follow Sarah Trivuncic Maison Cupcake’s board Lovely things in Jars on Pinterest.
Rosa says
A lovely dessert! So scrumptious looking.
Great giveaways!
Cheers,
Rosa
Claire K Creations says
Yum! I’ve been disappointed I can’t be in the running for any of your prizes down in Aus but I’m in for this one. Thanks.
Krista says
Fantastic job on your photos, Sarah! Truly stunning. 🙂 HOORAY for an international giveaway!! 🙂 So glad you had such a lovely time with Jamie and Meeta. 🙂
Jamie says
Fabulous dessert you created with the chestnut cream and now I have to try it! And your photos are beautiful, Sarah! Go, you! Love the giveaway series and I now must go back to read through them all.
Jamie says
Okay, tweeted the giveaway!
Jamie says
Annnnd am now following @Matcha_chocolate
clara says
omg yommeh lookin pic.
I have not tried chestnuts before but after this post I might try it 😀
Phebe says
The recipe looks delicious, as do the chocolates in the giveaway!
Thanks!
Louise Sims says
Lovely choc pud recipe.
Thanks for another giveaway.
Louise x
Louise Sims says
tweeted @louisesims and am a follower of @matcha_chocolat on Twitter.
Meeta says
Lovely lovely dessert Sarah! Perfect for the Monthly Mingle. Plus I have two cans of the chestnut cream and seriously need to use it up – so this is giving me a lot of ideas!
Simon says
Ah, verrines…
I bought a couple of books about them when I was in France earlier in the year – they are such an intriguing idea. Simple but beautiful
Sanjeeta kk says
Your dessert speaks a thousand words Sarah. Lovely and very chocolaty.
Anne says
These sound lovely. I’ve never actually eaten chestnut (the horror) and have been thinking about chestnut and chocolate cupcakes but perhaps should give this a go first!
CherishedByMe says
I love the recipe and what a great giveaway again….thanks.
CherishedByMe says
Tweeted the competition too. 🙂
notsosinglemum says
Glad there’s an international giveaway! I’m in Spain so works for me! The desserts look gorgeous!
notsosinglemum says
Have tweeted as @notsosinglemum
notsosinglemum says
Have followed @matcha_chocolat on twitter
Robyn Clarke says
You have such an inspiring blog.
Hoping one day my little blog grows up to look like yours
http://catchingupwiththeclarkes.blogspot.com/
Choclette says
Great recipe for the we should cocoa challenge. It’s great to see the different things people come up with.
Sharon Hingley says
Fab recipe , shall have to give this a go over christmas.
Sharon Hingley says
Just tweeted @daisybeebee
Sharon Hingley says
Following matcha_chocolat on Twitter
Kerry Farrow says
Yummy!!!! Fingers crossed.
Kerry Farrow says
Tweeted @NFZ0809LOVE
Following matcha chocolate as well!
Sarah says
Great photos! Suffering from the same lighting problems here, especially as the only spot I have for photographs is next to a north facing window. I <3 Matcha Chocolates, so I'll be back with re-tweets etc.
Sarah says
Have tweeted @ScrumptiousSal http://twitter.com/ScrumptiousSal/status/14014740791566336
Sarah says
And I am now following @matcha_chocolat and trying to *not* buy their winter selection!
Twinks75 says
yummy recipie, love reading your blog posts, think i also have you added on my twitter
Kelly says
yum! what a good giveaway!
Kelly says
there’s a tweet out there from me @cupcake_kelly!
claire woods says
Yum!
Ann C says
O M G ! ANY CHANCE TO WIN ANYTHING CHOCOLATE WOULD BE FABULOUS. I NEED CHOCOLATE TO SURVIVE.
miiko says
Lovely pictures and fantastic recipe. It is really a season of feasting!
deeba says
You know I love you for the word ‘international’ Sarah! LOL!! What a gorgeous take on verrines, petit desserts I love to love. Great idea, and a wonderful shout out to Jamie & Meeta! Missed seeing the good ole bunch, and was seen sulking in India, but well…..
Do throw my name in for the giveaway. I still have to do some chocolat stuff for the MM. Oh the pressure!!
deeba says
Did I forget to add I did the part where you blitz the cream with the chooclate…and then you lick the spoon! Super YUM!! Already following Matcha chocolate on twitter!
ne-knopka says
Yummmm !
nice giveaway
ne-knopka says
tweet- http://twitter.com/AnnaKul/status/14251344214888448
buzylizzy says
love the recipes please enter me for the giveaway 🙂
ne-knopka says
following on twitter (annakul)
buzylizzy says
Have retweeted @buzylizzy1 🙂
buzylizzy says
Have followed matcha_chocolat 🙂
as @buzylizzy1
ne-knopka says
tw-http://twitter.com/AnnaKul/status/14251344214888448
wendy mcdonald says
Those puddings sound divine. I love your blog!
wendy mcdonald says
Tweeted @wendymcd83
wendy mcdonald says
I follow @matcha_chocolat on Twitter.
@wendymcd83
Julie Johnson says
Chestnut cream, now that sounds wonderful, will have to try this recipie
carole says
another great giveaway
Vickii says
That looks like a fab dessert! Where would people without chestnut-cream-gifting-friends buy it from?
Vickii says
I’m following @matcha_chocolat on Twitter. I’m @vickii373
Tom Tamplin says
As it’s Christmas I can indulge myself with this dessert
Debbie Gillespie says
This sounds absolutely yummy!
Martina says
I will eat anything chocolatey but I really can’t resist this product…
Debbie Gillespie says
Have tweeted @jazza1
Debbie Gillespie says
I’m now following @matcha_chocolat on Twitter
Mel Chambers says
Mmm, delicious
Kerry Dodd says
Delicious! xx
Lux says
Yes, please, me, please.
Lux says
Following matcha on twitter
Lux says
And RT’d as abritontheside
Maya Russell says
You have the most deliciously brilliant photos! Would love to win.
Maya Russell says
Have tweeted @maisietoo
Maya Russell says
Following on twitter @maisietoo
Amanda says
Ooh these sound lovely!
Amanda says
I also followed Matcha Chocolates on twitter.
Sarah Laycock says
Am salivating at the very thought! x
Nadine Lloyd says
What a wonderful unusual recipe. Will be using this one just so luxurious got to be a winner.
Laura Pritchard says
This looks yummy – will try it out!
Laura Pritchard says
Tweeted the message.
Laura Pritchard says
Following on Twitter.
Emma Howard says
Sound delicious!
Emma Howard says
Have retweeted
@ammalinetheduck
Emma Howard says
Following on Twitter
@ammalinetheduck
Izzy says
I don’t think I’d have the willpower to put that puree in a recipe. I’d just eat it, straight off the spoon.
Kevin Honey says
I love chocolate
Louise strachan says
Following @Matcha Chocolate on Twitter as @Bobbity666
Louise strachan says
Tweeted comp as @Bobbity666
Louise strachan says
Soooo love chocolate in any scrumptious form xx
James says
Those puds look delicious!
helena haddock says
This sounds scrummy, pity i can’t eat the wrappers as well
Kate Davis-Holmes says
salivating as I type and yes I know that is way too much information
Yumsville and inspiration for a lovely Christmas too.
Kate Davis-Holmes says
I tweeted details of the giveaway
Kate Davis-Holmes says
I tweeted as@netcurtains and followed too
Sarah Cooper says
They look heavenly – please enter me.
Becca Rothwell says
Oh those look delicious! And so simple to make too! I love the idea of chocolate and dates. This may have to make an appearance over Christmas…
Beverley says
They look absolutely gorgeous!
Beverley says
Have followed (bev_metallica)
Beverley says
and done a RT bev_metallica
Hayley says
Yummmmmy
maggy, red ted art says
Oh yum yum yum!
Maggy x
Kelly Young says
if only i could go through my computer screen and eat all this mmmmm
Kelly Young says
twittered @rainiexiexie
Kelly Young says
following @matcha_chocolat on Twitter
Sandy Calico says
Y U M M Y!!!
Ashleigh says
please enter me, looks great
Ashleigh says
i have tweeted @ashlallan
Ashleigh says
I am following @matcha_chocolat too (@ashlallan)
Tom says
These look nice!
denise cross says
sounds so delicious
Elizabeth Smith says
What a lovely idea, I always have leftover dates after Christmas so I can pretend I’m being virtuos by making these (and diets start tomorrow…)
Katherine Ryan says
YUM! Thanks so much for making this international, I’d love to win this for Christmas.
Kate1485 at hotmail.com
Katherine Ryan says
I tweeted about it:
http://twitter.com/NTFancy/status/14980694430195712
Kate1485 at hotmail.com
Katherine Ryan says
I’m following you on Twitter (@NTFancy)
Kate1485 at hotmail.com
Patricia Edwards says
Gorgeous!
Ann calland says
These sound wonderful
Jo Hewlett says
They all look so lovely and yummy – what great ideas
Kim says
Thanks for opening this up to International Readers too 🙂
Kim says
Tweeted from @karishmapais
Kim says
Following you on twitter too 🙂
That’s my 3 entries. Fingers crossed for now
Christina Palmer says
What a fab combination
chicamba says
You really are spoiling us but I’m not complaining!
greig spencer says
loving it! great i wana taste them lol
Susannah Leggatt says
OOh lovely, would love it in my Crimbo stocking..x
Susannah Leggatt says
Have retweeted as @StomaFreeBuddie
hayley andrews says
looks great
Christina Mass says
yummmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyy!!!!
Aik says
I’d love to win!
Aik says
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/15420465057103873
Aik says
Follow @Matcha_Chocolat on Twitter @aikchien
Cristina says
mmmm…chocolate!
Cristina says
tweeted @sarokaal
& followed
Chris says
Lovely!
janice taylor says
these look delicious.
following on twitter as well.
Jayne K says
Yes please
Abi Heinitz says
They do look good!
Anthea Holloway says
They look almost too good to eat – but I would eat them!
vicky haddock says
Chocolate lovely mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Annabel says
My grandmother used to make the most amazing Chocolate and chestnut charlotte(with Grand Marnier) and with the chestnut paste you have posted on your blog.
Please enter me into the Matcha Chocolat Chai Caramels draw too
Annabel says
Tweeted.
Would love to try those delicious chocolate.
Matcha is my favourite green tea
Annabel says
Following @Matcha_Chocolat on Twitter
thepricklypinecone says
Oh my, these sound lovely. Thanks for the chance!
Angie says
they look yummy!!
Fiona says
Would love to win matcha chocolate
THOMAS says
great prize
Thelma says
YUMMY
RICHARD says
would love to win
MARK says
COOL PRIZE
LISA says
im hungry now
Erica says
These look completely yummy.
Erica says
Tweeted @ericahughes
Erica says
Following @Matcha_Chocolat on Twitter @ericahughes
PinkStuff28 says
I would love to win.
looks yummy 😀
raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com
PinkStuff28 says
i tweeted : http://twitter.com/#!/raluk15/status/15859546257883136
(@raluk15)
raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com
PinkStuff28 says
follow @matcha_chocolat on Twitter (@raluk15)
raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com
Johanna says
looks delicious
Caroline Eccles says
Looks gorgeous x x
peter says
they look really delicious
Zoe Corbin says
Yummy.Would love to win these for Xmas.
fiona maclean says
oh I remember those tins of marron puree from a childhood of summers spent near chambery in france!
Yes please
Nichola Ryder says
All I can say is, mmmmmmmmm mmmm
Mark Hopkins says
Those puds look absolutely delicious!