Vodka Cioccolatini al Peperoncino

Chocolate and chilli make natural partners: the richness of the chocolate softens the initial heat, while the chilli leaves a gentle warmth behind. Here, red and green chillies are steeped in vodka, filled with peppered chocolate and dipped in dark chocolate to create a decidedly grown-up sweet.

Serve them thoroughly chilled and with fair warning. They begin smooth and indulgent, before the chilli and vodka make their presence known.

Prep Time 30 mins

Rest Time 720 mins

Total Time 12 hrs 30 mins

Cuisine: Europe, Italian-inspired

Courses: Desserts & Sweets

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 12

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

6 green chillies
6 red chillies
350 ml vodka
100 g white or dark chocolate
black pepper
100 g dark chocolate
icing sugar

Instructions

1
Wash the chillies thoroughly, then cut a small slit in the side of each one to allow removal of the inner membrane and all the seeds, so they are ready to be filled.
2
Marinate the prepared chillies in the vodka for at least 12 hours before you prepare the filling.
3
For the filling: Melt the white or dark chocolate in a bain marie, a heatproof bowl suspended over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Remove from the heat and mix in a shot of vodka and some freshly ground pepper.
4
Fill the chillies using a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle, or, if you don't have one, then improvise with a teaspoon and a chopstick or something similar. Store the chillies in a container in the freezer until needed.
5
Sift the icing sugar over a serving plate then grind some black pepper over the icing sugar.
6
To dip the chillies, melt the dark chocolate in a bain marie. Pour the melted chocolate into a glass and dip the chillies so that they're three quarters coated in chocolate. Place them directly on to the serving plate to set before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 111.41kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6.59g11%
Saturated Fat 3.67g19%
Cholesterol 1.00mg1%
Sodium 5.96mg1%
Potassium 243.04mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 9.84g4%
Dietary Fiber 1.33g6%
Sugars 7.22g
Protein 2.08g5%

Vitamin C 77.62 mg
Calcium 20.68 mg
Iron 1.55 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

To lessen the flavour of de-seeded chillies one could blanch or boil for 2 minutes. The filling uses one shot of vodka; the 350 ml vodka is used as the marinating medium.