Jamie Oliver Christmas Chocolate Log Food

CHOCOLATE POTS

Steps:

• In a thick-bottomed pot, heat the cream until near boiling. Remove and set aside for 1 minute before adding chocolate. Stir in until melted and smooth. Once melted, stir in egg yolks and brandy. Cool slightly, add butter and stir until smooth and shiny. Pour into individual serving pots.
• PS. Sometimes if you add the butter when the chocolate isn't cool enough it will make the chocolate look as if it has split. To rectify this allow the mixture to cool a little longer before stirring in some cold milk, a little at a time, until you have a smooth consistency again.

THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Firstly, put a pan of milk on to the heat. Bring to a simmer, not a boil, and while it's heating, put a tablespoon of chocolate powder into each mug. Add a little warmish milk from the pan to each mug, you just need enough to dissolve the chocolate powder.
• At this point, plonk a few marshmallows into each mug. When the milk is at a simmer, carefully pour it into a plastic jug or flask. I normally do this over a sink as I always end up spilling a bit (the trick is to have a big enough jug or flask so the milk only half fills it: you need the extra space for shaking and frothing).
• Screw the lid on tightly, place a cloth over the lid for safety, and shake hard for a minute. Remove the lid, minding the steam, and pour into your mugs. A little stir and you can slurp your way to heaven!

JAMIE OLIVER'S TWO-NUTS CHOCOLATE TORTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 190c/375f/Gas 5.
• Line the bottom of a 20 or 25cm/8 or 10" tin with a piece of greaseproof paper before buttering the bottom and sides, then dusting with flour.
• Place the nuts into a food processor and whizz up until finely ground.
• Add the chocolate and cocoa, and whizz for 30 seconds to break up the chocolate.
• Put to one side in a separate bowl.
• Add the butter and sugar to the food processor and beat until pale and fluffy.
• At this point, add the egg yolks one at a time, then mix together with the chocolate and nuts.
• In another bowl beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt, until they form stiff peaks.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the chocolate, butter and nut mix.
• Pour all the mixture into the tin.
• Bake in the preheated oven for around an hour.
• To test if the torte is cooked, insert a cocktail stick or the tip of a knife for five seconds.
• When removed, it should be reasonably clean.
• Serve with whipped cream, ice-cream or creme fraiche.

YUMMY CHOCOLATE LOG

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter and line a 23 x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Beat the eggs and golden caster sugar together with an electric whisk for about 8 mins until thick and creamy.
• Mix the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together, then sift onto the egg mixture. Fold in very carefully, then pour into the tin. Tip the tin from side to side to spread the mixture into the corners. Bake for 10 mins.
• Lay a sheet of baking parchment on a work surface. When the cake is ready, tip it onto the parchment, peel off the lining paper, then roll the cake up from its longest edge with the paper inside. Leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the butter and dark chocolate together in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Take from the heat and stir in the golden syrup and 5 tbsp double cream. Beat in the icing sugar until smooth.
• Whisk the remaining double cream until it holds its shape. Unravel the cake, spread the cream over the top, scatter over the crushed extra strong mints, if using, then carefully roll up again into a log.
• Cut a thick diagonal slice from one end of the log. Lift the log on to a plate, then arrange the slice on the side with the diagonal cut against the cake to make a branch. Spread the icing over the log and branch (don't cover the ends), then use a fork to mark the icing to give the effect of tree bark. Scatter with unsifted icing sugar to resemble snow, and decorate with holly.

JAMIE OLIVER'S CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F.
• Grease a 20x20 baking tin fit butter and cut a piece of baking parchment to fit the bottom.
• Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler or bowl over a pan.
• While melting mix eggs, sugar, flour and salt in a bowl. Add the butter/chocolate mix and the walnuts.
• Fold together, be careful not to overmix.
• Pour into the cake tin and cook for 15 - 18 minutes They should have a crust on but still be a bit wobbly.
• Cool and cut into squares, dust with some icing sugar.