WINE CHOCOLATE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup bundt pan well with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a separate large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and butter. Using a handheld mixer, beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Add the vanilla; beat 1 more minute. Add a third of the dry ingredients and mix on low to combine. Add half of the wine and mix on low to combine. Repeat. Finish with the last addition of dry ingredients and the chocolate chips and fold in with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few crumbs, about 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and wine until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Allow the glaze to set for 30 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 140ºC/275ºF/gas 1.
  2. Using a sharp knife, remove the sinew from the beef cheeks. Peel and halve the shallots and peel and finely slice the garlic.
  3. Place half the butter in a medium ovenproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Sear the meat all over, until browned on all sides, then leave to one side.
  4. Add the shallots and fry for 8 to 10 minutes, or until slightly browned. Stir in the garlic and pick the thyme leaves straight into the pan. Fry for a couple of minutes, then return the beef cheeks to the pan and pour in the red wine.
  5. Bring to the boil, cook the wine for around 5 minutes, until reduced by half, then finely grate in the chocolate (if using).
  6. Pour in enough beef stock to cover, and turn up the heat. Bring back to the boil, season, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover with a tight layer of tinfoil and a lid, then place the pan in the oven and slowly braise for 4 to 4½ hours, or until incredibly tender.
  7. When the beef is almost ready, make the creamed parsnips. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.
  8. Peel and chop the parsnip, celeriac and apples into 3cm chunks, taking care to remove the apple seeds and core. Add the fruit and veg to the pan, and simmer for about 12 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain and steam dry over the hot pan.
  9. Stir in the rest of the butter and then spoon into a food processor. Pour in the milk and add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then blitz until smooth, adding a little more milk if needed (you can do this in the pan with a hand blender if you prefer).
  10. Remove the cheeks from the casserole dish, then place the dish over a high heat. Cook rapidly until the sauce thickens. Stir in the jam, taste and adjust the seasoning, then add the cheeks back to the pan and baste.
  11. Serve with the creamy parsnips and all your favourite trimmings.