The latest Saturday night cooking show on the ABC is Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking and the hubby and I are thoroughly enjoying it. In each episode Nigel takes a well-known pairing, for example “Sweet and Sour”, “Sugar and Spice” or “Hot and Cold” and bases the recipes around the selected premise. One episode was focused on “Surf and Turf” and even though most of the recipes didn’t interest me, being vegetarian and all, the last recipe for Sea Salt Chocolate Snaps certainly caught my eye.
Although I am no professional like my amazing cousin (please check out, and “Like”, the Facebook page for her company Fraise Sauvage when you have a moment) I thought these would be something quick and easy to take away with us on the weekend.
The recipe from Nigel Slater can be found here with the only real difference being I couldn’t get a hold of crystallised rose petals, and was too impatient to try to make my own, so I used normal rose petals instead.
First I began by toasting the almonds in the oven. After a few minutes, I sprinkled over some sugar and returned to the oven to caramelise which didn’t work quite as well as I had hoped as it mainly ended up being frosted almonds rather than nice and caramelised.
Next I melted the chocolate. I used Lindt’s 70% Cocoa chocolate and although I LOVE my dark chocolate, I think it was a little too overpowering for this.
The other ingredients were chopped pistachios and rose petals.
Onto some greaseproof paper, I dolloped some of the melted chocolate and spread it thinly. I then topped it with the almonds, pistachios and rose petals before a little sprinkling of sea salt flakes (I used Murray River Pink Salt Flakes).
Not bad for a first attempt, and I really do love the colours and look of the final product, but next time I plan to use a slightly less bitter chocolate so it won’t be as overwhelming.
These sound GREAT!! I’d like to invite you to participate in my Pin Me Linky Party. It goes Fri-Tue. I allow up to 3 links each week!