St Patrick’s Day is next week so I thought I would share my recipe for Guinness Chocolate Spread this week so you can make it yourself for the big day.

I have only visited Ireland once and that was last year when I attended the Plate to Page photography and writing course. I fell in love with the countryside, so like my own Scotland but at the same time different with almost a softness to the landscape that is missing up here.

Ireland is a land known for its friendliness and hospitality and I made some wonderful new friends during that visit. Friends who hailed from far and wide; South Africa, Tuscany, France, America and Portugal, just to name a few. But one who really left an impression for her madcap humour, kindness and generosity of spirit was Ann Marie who came from the Emerald Isle itself. We’ve kept in touch ever since and I smile whenever her name appears in my inbox.

That weekend we learned a lot and feasted on great food, drank lots and formed true friendships, all set in the embrace of the beautiful (if somewhat wet!) Irish landscape.

I loved that weekend in Ireland and I wanted to create something larderish for St Patrick’s Day that would embody at least some of the enormous pleasure that my Irish memories hold for me.

What could I use? What would bring together fun, joy, great tastes and maybe just a drop or two of booze? What would sum it all up for me in one go?

Guinness Chocolate Spread of course!

For those who are unfamiliar with this great Irish beverage, Guinness is a dark beer with a depth of flavour and character all its own. People travel far and wide for a taste of true Guinness on tap in a proper Irish pub. Seeing the dark liquid settle in a tall glass with a creamy thick head of foam on top is a pleasure many would travel the globe to enjoy.

 I wanted my Guinness Chocolate Spread to have some of the great brew in it for taste but also to actually look like the real thing. After a wee bit of trial and error (and who doesn’t enjoy a bit of that when a good drink is involved) I came up with this recipe and I must say it does hit the spot on a slice of crunchy hot toast or just slathered on a hunk of fresh bread (Irish soda bread if you have some to hand).

 This recipe makes one small jar/glass.

Here’s what you’ll need and how to make you own Guinness Chocolate Spread:

30g/1 ¼ oz walnuts

100g/3 ½ oz mixture of good quality dark and milk chocolate

35g/1 1/4oz unsalted butter chopped into small pieces

60ml/2 fl oz Guinness

Pinch of salt

¼ tsp vanilla extract

50g/2 oz good quality white chocolate

2 tbsp single cream

¼ tsp vanilla extract

Toast the walnuts in a small dry pan until they are golden and start to release their gorgeous aroma, keep an eye on them and don’t let them burn!

Whizz the toasted walnuts in food processor or pound to a powder.

Break up the mixture of dark and milk chocolate and melt this in a bain-marie (bowl set above a pan of simmering water) or in the microwave if you have one.

Once melted remove from the heat and stir in chopped butter until everything is completely mixed.

Now add the Guinness, pinch of salt and the vanilla extract. Stir well to make sure everything is incorporated into a rich smooth sauce.

Add the blitzed walnuts and stir thoroughly.

Spoon this mixture into a sterilised glass or jar and set aside while you make the topping.

Melt the white chocolate in the same way you did the other type and remove from heat before stirring in the cream and vanilla extract.

Spoon this on top of the dark chocolate mixture in the glass or jar and leave it all to set and settle overnight. This also allows the flavours to really develop.

Now you can spread this little bit of Irish goodness on your toast and enjoy any time.

Cover the glass or jar with a lid or plastic film and store in the fridge to use within a week or two, though I don’t think it will last that long, do you?

Here’s to St Patrick’s Day next week – Cheers!

Karon x