make this

Photo by Tom

This looks like the most decadent chocolate concoction known to man.  Would you believe me if I told you it was vegan and gluten free?!

I got the recipe from Oh She Glows, whose recipes I love reading about but I don't have a big kitchen or much in the way of equipment, so as tempted as I often am to try them out, the predicted resulting mess in the kitchen is enough to put me off.  This chocolate torte was somehow different.  It called my name.  Seriously.  Phil.  You must make me. 

There was nothing overly complicated in the recipe - most of the stuff I already had in my cupboard.  These were my substitutions and additions:

• Instead of arrowroot, I used good old Tesco cornflour.
• Instead of almond milk (too pricey), I used organic oat milk (a third of the price). 
• Instead of chocolate chips, I used my favourite dark chocolate, Green and Black's  85% dark.

And, and, this is the important bit, I put in some freshly grated orange zest.  This made all the difference.  I decided if my kitchen was going to look like a tornado I should multi-task, so I had put on a pan of rhubarb and apples to roast, and had put some fresh orange juice and zest in with them.  Somehow some zest got on the spoon I was using to taste the chocolate avocado mousse topping and it was AMAZING.  Ange says you can't taste the avocado, but maybe I hadn't mixed it thoroughly enough because I could. So I put some more cocoa powder in and then once the orange zest was in there, it took it to a whole new level!

But I think that's an important thing to remember too - it's never going to taste like it has eggs, sugar, etc in it when it doesn't.  It's about enjoying this alternative for its own sake, not expecting it to replicate the exact flavours of other foods.  While I enjoy all foods I choose to eat without feeling guilty (because I choose to have them), I do find myself leaning towards things like this more and more. They are decadent in a different way.  Not every bite is loaded with the temple-aching sweetness that you'd get from a Patisserie Valerie chocolate torte; it's a richness that I can't quite name.  The buttery nuts, the pure taste of good cocoa and chocolate, the tartness of the ripe fruits, all coming together as Nature intended them to be.  Enjoyed.

Now that's decadent.

Here's the recipe again - and cheers to Angela for a true winner!  I'll be making this again for sure. 

Seriously, do make it.  It's gorgeous. And I think the crust could be made on its own and rolled into little balls in coconut for a pseudo-truffle experience :)

Tonight I'm having the human equivalent of a car service with the folks at Move Three Sixty - where my current nutritional and physical state will have a going over by the experts!  I'm actually really excited about it, but wonder if I'll come away from it feeling smug or shocked!  I think that I have a very healthy lifestyle, but I also go through periods where I'm very busy, like most people, and I know when I've had a few too many treats or need to step things up a notch with the fitness - it's all about balance and I like to think I get it right for me most of the time.  But we'll see!  Either way I'll let you all know what happens and whether I just need an oil change, or a complete engine overhaul :)

Hope you are all going well!