BOOK REVIEW! Hotel Chocolat - Morning to Midnight

I came across Hotel Chocolat in Arndale, Manchester, and was delighted to taste a number of diverse chocolate goodies which ranged from simple salted caramel puddles or buttons to delicate strawberry champagne truffles. Coming to think of it, walking through the shop alone was a mouthwatering affair. 

Hotel Chocolat are the only cocoa growers in England, and boy do they know what they're doing. I found myself oogling a wide spectrum of items such as huge chocolate slabs, enrobed fruit (cherries, sultanas, mango and orange, to name a few), choco smudge spreads (classic chocolate, caramel or peanut) and luxuriously prepared box sets which included a selection of different truffles, nutty pralines and more. I wanted them all. I want them all. All minus the boozy ones. 

Hotel Chocolat was kind enough to present me with a complimentary copy of their 'Hotel Chocolat - Morning to Midnight: A book of chocolate recipes for the whole day and night'.  A new book. A new chocolate book. Needless to say, I was over the moon. 

This sizeable book is composed of diverse chocolate related recipes from host of cookery writers such as Mary Berry, Anna Del Conte, Jeremy Lee and Joanna Farrow to mention a few. 'Morning to Midnight' begins with an introductory chapter which discusses different 'basics' such as 'Getting to Know Chocolate', 'Types of Chocolate', 'How to Taste Chocolate' and 'Working with Chocolate'. 

Recipes in 'Morning to Midnight' literally span the time between dawn and dusk. By this I mean that a section is dedicated to each of the following: breakfast, elevenses, lunch (chocolate pasta, anyone?) and teatime. 

The book is a treasure trove for those who may be tempted to use chocolate in innovative ways. 

Hotel Chocolat products can be purchased in any of their shops as well as directly off their website, and, whilst some items do indeed seem to be on the pricey side, the quality and presentation is of the highest level. I'm itching to go back! 

Had you heard of Hotel Chocolat? Or even better, have you ever tasted any Hotel Chocolat chocolate? Let me know in the comments!

Renewed thanks to Hotel Chocolat.