MINI SWEET DREAMS

WHAT WE KNOW: It is certainly true that there are strong links between cancer and processed meats such as sausages, bacon and canned meats.

In 2015 a World Health Organisation report revealed eating two slices of bacon a day could raise the risk of bowel cancer by nearly 20 per cent.

However, there is far less evidence to suggest unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb, carry the same risks.

The healthiest meats are those that have not been smoked, cured or otherwise preserved. Experts also suggest you should cook meat gently and cut away any charred.

Some studies, such as one carried out at Tufts University in the US, have suggested large intakes of red WHAT WE

KNOW: A major research project – the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer – followed half a million people across the continent for more than a decade. It found eating small amounts of red meat had no effect on a person’s mortality. Meat can also be beneficial to over 65s, helping guard against frailty and muscle Quick chocolate pots with cranberries

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients

200g dark chocolate with at least 70 per cent cocoa solids, broken in pieces, 100g spiced or barrel-aged stout, such as Tempest Brewing Mexicake, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, 100ml double cream, 2tsp olive oil. For the cranberries: 25g dried cranberries, 50g Kriek cherry beer, 2tsp caster sugar, pinch sea salt. Method

1 Prepare the cranberries first. Put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and warm over a low heat until the liquid starts bubbling. Stir well, then bubble for 4 to 6 minutes until the liquid is almost gone. Leave to cool.

2 Melt the chocolate over a pan of hot water.

3 Meanwhile, put the beer in a pan. Heat until it just starts to bubble around the edges. Swirl a few times but don’t let it boil.

4 When the chocolate has melted, take it off the heat and add some hot beer, beating with a rubber spatula until smooth. Repeat until the beer is used and you have a shiny paste.

5 Add the cream and oil and beat. Pour into ramekins. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes.

6 Serve topped with the soaked cranberries.

From The Beer Kitchen by Melissa Cole.