Recipe: Dark Chocolate and Chilli

The ancient Aztecs (or was it the Incas?) are credited with the invention of chocolate, and they used to mix it with hot chilli and drink it. Culinary geniuses or a just a bunch of peyote-crazed sun worshippers? Try this ice cream recipe, then decide.

3 eggs
300 ml milk
300 ml cream
80g sugar
200g dark chocolate
1/8 tsp chilli powder

NOTE: The chilli powder I have is insanely hot, so I didn't use very much. Your mileage may vary.

Heat your milk in a saucepan with the chilli powder, and meanwhile beat your eggs and mix in the sugar. Pour the milk slowly into the eggs, and return it to the pan and slowly heat it until it turns to custard. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (or mixing bowl sitting on top of a saucepan of water) and stir it into the custard. Chill, then add the cream and pop it into the ice cream machine.

Verdict: Sensational. Rich and creamy and not too sweet. The ice cream has the texture of velvet and the chilli adds a sharp kick to the downward slope of the flavour curve. It's intense pleasure with a little bit of pain - like being spanked on a roller coaster, and I for one am lining up for another ticket...