EASY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH PLUMS TWO WAYS

Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 20 mins Serves 6

16 red plums

1/4 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup caster sugar

2 tsp vanilla paste

1/4 cup milk

11/2 Tbsp cocoa powder

395g can sweetened condensed milk 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa),

melted

600ml thickened cream, whisked

into soft peaks

Grated chocolate, thinly shredded ginger batons, diced kiwifruit and mint leaves, to serve

STEP 1 Slice cheeks off 12 plums and toss with icing sugar; reserve centres. Arrange cheeks on a wire rack and cook on barbecue over low heat for 20 minutes, until lightly dried, or on a tray in oven at 160°C fan-forced (180°C conventional). Dice remaining plums and reserved centres, combine with caster sugar and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla in a saucepan, then cook over low heat until a paste forms. Cool. STEP 2 Heat milk in a saucepan until simmering, whisk in cocoa and remaining vanilla, then stir in condensed milk. Cool. Fold in chocolate and cream. STEP 3 Spoon plum paste into 11/2-cup-capacity glasses and top with mousse and grated chocolate. Toss plum cheeks with ginger, kiwi and mint, then serve on the side.