My Guilty Pleasure: Catherine Fulvio’s coffee and chocolate

However many times I am asked this question it still remains the same - my Guilty Pleasures both begin with C - and I am sure you will get them in three guesses!!

Yes they’re Coffee and Chocolate. Now when it comes to coffee I tend to follow the Italian rule of thumb and enjoy milky coffees and cappuccino only in the morning. Espresso is reserved for after dinner and best accompanied with some quality chocolate. And my favourite coffee drink of all is a Bicerin, a coffee from Turin that is a luxurious blend of coffee and chocolate topped with cream!

As they are guilty pleasures I don’t always manage to stick to the rituals set by Italians and have been known to indulge in coffee at almost anytime of the day, especially right now when it is our busiest time of the year.

Chocolate is also a great vice and I like my chocolate to be good quality dark chocolate, at least 70% cocoa is a must and the good news for me is the darker the chocolate the healthier it is! It has even been reported that dark chocolate can be good for you and helps relieve stress, so maybe there is no need for me to feel guilty at all!

I have become a big fan of flavoured chocolate and love salted caramel which I use in my signature dessert Chocolate Meringue Tower which you can taste on our Fab Mains & Desserts course.

Catherine Fulvio, TV Chef, Cookbook author and proprietor at Ballyknocken House & Cookery School in Wicklow, is one Ireland’s most celebrated female chefs. Christmas is her favourite time of the year and with her Italian influence she loves to share it with family and friends over good food.

You can follow Catherine on twitter (@cfulvio) and Facebook (Catherine Fulvio) or visit ballyknocken.com for information on Cookery Classes or be inspired for Christmas Gifts for the Foodie in your life!

[ irishtimes.com/food ]