Dinners with Simple As Fat are so satisfying you don’t always need a dessert, but sometimes, when you have friends round for example, you want to share a great little chocolate pudding…  So you may as well make one you can all enjoy!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 300ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 egg yolks
• pinch sea salt
• 100g dark chocolate (must be at least 80% cocoa solids)
• 1 tablespoon brandy

Method:

1. Whip the cream until it only just starts to make soft peaks.
2. Add the vanilla extract and stir in.
3. Melt chocolate in a small bowl, microwaving it 30 seconds at a time until almost melted. Stir until smooth and allow to cool a little.
4. Beat egg yolks and add the salt.
5. Stir the brandy into the eggs.
6. Drizzle the cooled melted chocolate into the eggs, stirring all the time.
7. Then, one tablespoon at a time, add the cream to the chocolate and egg mixture.
8. Fold and blend gently with a metal spoon until it is smooth and a uniform colour and spoon into small glasses or espresso cups.
9. Serve with some gratings of the chocolate on top, or a raspberry or two, or even a little pouring cream if desired.

Tip: Replace the brandy with a short, strong espresso for a mocha favour.