Saturday, August 26, 2023

Wartime Chocolate Spread

 


I just had to do it after watching Utility Jude's YouTube video, see the last post if you're wondering what I'm going on about.  😀

I made it to her exact proportions:

2 tbsp. Mashed Potato
1tbsp. Sugar
1 tbsp. Cocoa Powder
a dash of Vanilla Essence - or extract in my case as that's what I had.

Simply mix all the ingredients really well together.

Making sure that you get rid of any lumps of mash or coco powder ... the cocoa powder highlights all the little lumps of mashed potato that you might not have realised were still there!


You get this amount from the mix.

Which is enough to cover two slices of a large loaf of bread.  

I wouldn't cut your bread too thick or this will be a very stodgy snack.  Of course I knew what it was as I pondered over the taste for a while, so then I decided in the interests of a fair test I would give a piece to Alan to get his un-informed opinion.  A proper blind taste test.

He said it tasted like Nutella with not enough nuts, he said it was very chocolatey, and very edible ... he DID NOT guess that it was made with mashed potatoes and was very intrigued when he found out.

We both thought that if you had no chocolate in the house and were craving a chocolatey fix, this really would hit the spot.  After Alan's comments I think I will try it with almond extract next time in place of the vanilla and see if it gets even closer in flavour to Nutella.

It is a very filling snack for sure.


Sue xx



24 comments:

  1. This post brings back memories of potato fudge, potato peppermint balls and potato coconut balls.

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    Replies
    1. Ooh gosh so many ideas for me to try out. :-)

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  2. Wow, who knew you could do such a thing? To get even closer to Nutella, what nuts might have been available during WWII (other than foraged hazelnuts in the autumn).

    Thanks to Ruth's comment I am now wondering whether you will be making little boxes of Christmas fudge, peppermint balls and how about 'chocolate' & coconut truffles? 🙂

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    1. I'm guessing that all UK grown nuts would have been available in season, we used to grow almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts and cobb nuts in wales, both on the hillside in the old woodlands and our planted trees in Nut Wood.

      I'm thinking of making Alan and my Mum some 'sweeties' for their Christmas presents. This is going to be my Wartime Christmas. :-)

      I don't think my sons, grandsons and great-grandsons would appreciate that though, so they will just get some cash ... do you think 2/6d would be enough. ;-)

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  3. Well it appeared to have turned out better than I imagined it would. When I was a kid my Nan (long gone now) used to make potato cakes and serve them topped with jam. Probably also a wartime recipe. I think we may have mentioned this on your blog before. I think you may have tried them and I probably made the same comment.

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    1. I was surprised that it tasted as good as it did, and that it didn't taste at all of potato.

      Yes, you left that comment in January of 2021 on my other blog when I made the Potato Floddies, well remembered. :-)

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    2. Wow! I can't believe that was just over two years ago. how time flies.

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  4. I used to make macaroon bars with mashed potato and icing sugar from a WI recipe book. NEver told anyone and it it always was eaten with enjoyment. Mind you the chocolate and coconut on the outside helped! Catriona

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    1. Now that's another good idea. I have some desiccated coconut in my pre-war larder so I could have a go at those too. :-)

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  5. Interesting that Allen thought it was close to Nutella.

    God bless.

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    1. I was surprised, I hadn't likened it to that as it didn't taste nutty, but as soon as he said it my mind thought of adding almond essence next time. I do like Nuttella.

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  6. Glad it turned out so well! I think it would make a great fudge, especially with some almond flavoring.
    I haven't posted the recipe for the potato candy on my blog, yet (partly because I haven't made the candy in ages), but, maybe I'll make some and post the recipe, one of these days. You basically make a sugar syrup and boil it until almost crystalized and add mashed potatoes to it and mix it all up, spread on a tray to cool and then, cut into squares. :)

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    1. That sounds nice and simple and of course I have lots of my sugar ration left to play with. Thank you.

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  7. Crikey who knew you could do such a thing! Alan's going to be very handy testing your creations, I think....

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    1. I think as a 'blind taste tester' he is perfect as he doesn't see what I'm up to in the kitchen. He's always a very willing guinea pig where new foods are concerned as he is willing to eat anything. Yep, he's going to come in very handy for a fair independent analysis of wartime foods.

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  8. Carol's mention of potato cakes made me smile as I remembered my Nana making them. We'd have them warm with loads of butter. Delicious!

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    1. All this talk of potato cakes is making me want them. I need to get another large pan of potatoes on the go so that I can have lots of leftover mash to play with. It will be Bangers and Mash for dinner today I think. :-)

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  9. Replies
    1. I honestly didn't expect it to work as well as it did. :-)

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  10. I wonder who thought of that idea?
    I've never tried Nutella, the smell alone turns my stomach but reading Carol's comment about potato cakes has me salivating. xxx

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    1. It's a Ministry of Food recipe, so no doubt a very good cook or chef ... or maybe even Marguerite herself.

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  11. Who would have thought it? Someone was thinking laterally - I suppose you had to at that time. xx

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    1. It's amazing what they turned mashed potato into, that's why I never just cook enough for one meal now ... just in case I see a recipe like this that I just HAVE to have a go at. :-)

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