Seabuckthorn & spice hot chocolate

Lieven Lootens never does things the easy way. This is his take on a gastronomic hot chocolate. He jazzes up his chocolate broth with winter spices, and adds a lovely fruity taste and acid notes with locally grown sea buckthorn berries. Can be served as drink or dessert.

Recipe

Created by
  • Lieven Lootens - Callebaut® Ambassador and owner of 't Aards Paradijs Belgium

Chocolate drink

ingredients preparation
  • 1l
    milk
  • Q.S.
    tilmut pepper
  • 3pod(s)
    cardamom
  • 1piece(s)
    star anise
  • 1
    cinnamon stick
  • 1pod(s)
    Tahitian vanilla
  • 1pinch
    ground chili pepper
  • 1pinch
    ground nutmeg
  • 1spoon(s)
    grated ginger
  • Q.S.
    verbena

Grill the cardamom and Timut pepper in the pan. Add the milk and the rest of the spices (except verbena). Leave to simmer at 80°C (prevent from boiling) for a few minutes. Take away from the heat and leave to infuse under cover for another 10 minutes. Add the Verbena just the last few minutes to preserve its delicate aromas. The leave to cool.

  • 180g
    CHD-R731EQU
  • 200g
    coconut blossom sugar (gula java)

Sieve the milk and pour over the chocolate. Heat together under stirring until 75°C. Finish to the taste with the Gula Java.

Espuma of sea buckthorn

ingredients preparation
  • 100g
    ginger syrup
  • 100g
    sugar
  • 300g
    milk
  • 300cl
    water
  • 450g
    sea buckthorn berries

Mix the ingredients and heat until 80°C until the Sea Buckthorn berries have completely opened up. Sieve very finely and leave to cool. Pour in an espuma jug. Keep in the fridge.

Sea buckthorn sorbet

ingredients preparation
  • 500g
    sea buckthorn berries
  • 750g
    water
  • 500g
    sugar
  • 75g
    sorbet stabilizer

Mix the ingredients and bring to the boil. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes on a gentle heat. Strain and let the mixture cool down. Turn into sorbet in the ice cream maker.

Finishing and presentation

Serve the hot chocolate in flute shaped glasses and top with espuma of Sea Buckthorn. Serve with a scoop of Sea Buckthorn sorbet at the side. The delicate harmony of this chocolate drink with its sweet and sour flavours, and cold and warm contrast is truly amazing.