Top chefs love Microplane and we do too. So many kinds of Microplane are available and all incredibly useful and always sharp. Here are two recipes using the Microplane® Professional Series Ribbon Grater and Premium Series Ribbon Zester.

mcith_zester.pngThe ultra-sharp and innovative design of the Professional Series Ribbon Grater, made entirely out of stainless steel,conveniently grates in both directions creating elegant, thin strips to add beauty and interesting texture to impeccably presented dishes.  Perfect for grating chocolate, apple, soft and hard cheeses, plus a myriad of vegetables from carrots to onion, cabbage and zucchini.

Made in the USA, the iconic Premium Series Zester has long-lasting, photo-etched stainless-steel blades, or teeth, which behave like extremely sharp knives to cut ingredients with precision rather than tearing or shredding. 

Ingredients don’t stick or block, but instead slides effortlessly along the cutting surface to produce perfect results every time whilst releasing natural aromas to enhance flavour.  Perfect for all citrus fruits, parmesan and other hard cheese, chocolate, ginger, garlic, spices and much more.The Microplane® Professional Series Ribbon Grater Zester, RRP £24.95, and the Zester, RRP £19.95, are available from hartsofstur.com and independent cookshops nationwide

VEGAN CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

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Rustle up this smooth, super-chocolatey mousse in minutes and pop it in the fridge ready to serve for lunch and dinner, with friends and family.  The secret ingredient here is the Tonka Bean.  The aroma is reminiscent of vanilla, cherry and almond.  Not surprisingly, it’s regularly used by top chefs to replace natural vanilla to give a slightly caramel flavour. 

You might assume that chocolate is a no-go for followers of a plant-based diet, but there’s a wealth of options out there to satisfy even the sweetest tooth.  Dark chocolate – which has a higher concentration of cocoa solids – is often made without milk and there are now plenty of “mylk” bars which use milk alternatives such as coconut milk or soya to create a milder, creamier taste.  We’re using both in this recipe.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

⁠400g silk tofu⁠

200g vegan chocolate (at least 72% cocoa)⁠

A grating of Tonka Bean⁠ – using the Microplane® Premium Classic Zester

Pinch of salt⁠

1 tbsp icing sugar⁠ (but you can use more if you like it sweet!)⁠

Good quality white and dark vegan chocolate to garnish – using the Microplane® Professional Series Ribbon Grater

Method:

1.     Break up the chocolate and melt in a bain marie or microwave – whichever you prefer. Ã¢ÂÂ 

2.     Set aside to cool slightly

3.     Using a hand blender, mix together the silk tofu with the salt, a light grating of Tonka Bean (to taste) and the icing sugar

4.     Add the cooled chocolate slowly

5.     Mix thoroughly

6.     Fill 6 small bowls (about the size of a ramekin) and chill for 2-3 hours

7.     Garnish liberally with shavings of chocolate

LEMON GIN FIZZ

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This Lemon Gin Fizz is perfectly balanced, both sweet and tart.  A classic gin fizz is refreshing, effervescent and velvety in texture thanks to the egg white, soda water, lemon and gin coming together in a magical mixture.

Makes 1

Ingredients:

50ml Gin

20ml lemon juice

Zest of one lemon – using the Microplane® Premium Classic Zester

15ml lemon zest

1 egg white

Soda water to taste

Lemon slices and mint to garnish

To make the lemon syrup:

1.      Dissolve 300g caster sugar in 150ml water with the juice and zest of a lemon using the Microplane® Premium Series Zester

2.      Reduce by a third and leave to cool.  Strain, bottle and store in the fridge

Preparation:

1.      In a cocktail shaker, pour Gin, lemon juice, egg white and lemon syrup

2.      Add ice and shake vigorously

3.      Strain into a glass filled

4.      Top with soda and garnish with a slice of lemon and fresh mint

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