When the dosh runs out …

… a treat from home

Far be it from me to be a kill joy or a spoilsport if you prefer – it's not all about boring sustenance – there has to be a sweet treat – it's good for the soul – not so much the waistline but hey a little indulgence every now and again doesn't hurt.

The following recipe could be made easily by the student, but, if you are planning a food drop it's really quick to make – you'll be very popular!

I've made this fudge recently and it disappears without trace.

Chocolate Pistachio Fudge

350g dark chocolate, chopped

(as good a cocoa solid as you can afford -

ideally minimum 70%)
1x397g can of condensed milk

30g unsalted butter

pinch of salt

150g pistachios

Put the chocolate, condensed milk, butter and salt in a heavy-based pan on a low heat and stir to melt.

Put the nuts in a strong bag – secured and bash with a rolling pin until a mixture of big and little pieces.

Add the nuts to the melted chocolate and condensed milk and stir well.

Pour into a foil tray 23cm square and smooth down the top.

Let it cool and fridge until set. Can then be cut into small pieces – I remove from the tray, cut it in half and set the other half aside. Cut into half and half again and repeat, turn and then cut into squares.

It can be frozen and eaten straight away.

My thanks – again - to Nigella Lawson's “Nigella Express” for this recipe, yet again it does exactly what it says on the condensed milk tin!

Just to prove my point, here's a photo – if you look at the one in “Nigella Express” it doesn't look much different.

On the complicated level – nil – on the taste level – oh brother, 20 out of 10!

By the way, when I said it disappears without trace there are two ways of looking at it – your nearest and dearest might want to secure the stash – I wouldn't fancy the chances of it still being in the fridge left unsupervised!