The Golden Book of Chocolate

Book excerpt: Luxurious and deliciously decadent! With more than 300 luscious recipes – for cookies, bars, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, pastries, desserts, puddings, ice cream, cakes, candy, drinks and savoury dishes – this is the only chocolate cookbook you will ever need. Read the opening chapter for an entertaining introduction to the exotic story of chocolate, from its origins in ancient Mexico to the present day. This beautifully illustrated and easy-to-follow guide to creating scrumptious chocolate treats will delight every time and for every type of social occasion. Carla Bardi is the author numerous books on cooking including Italian Ice Cream (Apple Press, 2007). She has travelled extensively throughout Africa and many parts of Europe, and now runs a small vineyard and summertime restaurant on the shores of Lake Bolsena in central Italy. Claire Pietersen trained at Westeminster College, London, as a chef and has 16 years experience in pastry cooking across the world. She has settled down in Sydney, Australia.