lava island

Ice cream swimming in a sea of just warm chocolate sauce, slowly melting, creating a swirly marbled sauce that transforms as you eat it.

One of these recipes that don’t require a recipe.

In a vessel, place a piece or two of chocolate, as dark as you want it. Add an equal amount of heavy cream. If you don’t have cream, you can use a little milk and butter or even some of the vanilla ice cream, making this a truly minimal recipe. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir to help the chocolate melt. If it wasn’t enough warmth to melt it all, continue microwaving for a 10 to 15 second blast, just enough to warm it gently. Stir well and continue stirring: the chocolate will melt! Watching the ganache go from a grainy liquid mess to a gorgeous smooth and glossy mass never ceases to delight me.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can do this in a saucepan over a low flame.

With a spoon, scoop irregular pieces of ice cream and place them on the sauce, making sure it’s not too warm. 

If you want to make this fancy, sprinkle some fleur de sel and a small drizzle of olive oil (use the good stuff!)

Other additions, including but not limited to: something crunchy like toasted nuts or crumbled cookie or cracker, sliced banana or pear, some cracked black pepper or a few drops of soy sauce…

Go wild! Balsamic glaze? Some gochujang? Avocado!

(Don’t do too much at once though! Try to stick to 2 or 3 elements that will go well together)

This is the perfect dessert to make for oneself.