What we all need right now is a dollop of fun

Well thats something to look forward to ??!!!

With most of the world still living under strict COVID-related restrictions right now, we all deserve (nay, need) to surround ourselves with delicious treats. And, with so much time to spare, why not have a go ( like Joan Crawford ) at creating some of your favourites at home? Long before Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop, Joan Crawford was offering the world her own movie-star advice about health, food, fashion, travel, relationships, and more. Everyone, including the late Joan, has that one dish that brings them comfort – be it a chocolatey dessert or a carb-heavy main. What is it with domestic godessses? Some may have called Crawford´s extravagant lifestyle tips out of touch, indeed they were and if you are looking for more practical tips on housekeeping, you should look to someone a little more Nigella than Joan and then you may be surprised to learn how easy your dream dessert is to cook from scratch.

Mine is ridiculously easy. A chocolate mousse from Nigella Lawson that cuts corners by using marshmallows in place of beaten eggs, how clever is that?  Well you´ll see when you make it and that whisking arm will be all the better for some time off.
In the spirit of staying happy, feeling cosy and aspiring to be "JOAN" during lockdown 3.O, we also need something to look forward to, more joy, something like ´Bake Off´. Well speaking of that very devil, we are being served up yet another dollop of bake off fun courtesy of some very willing celebrities raising awareness and money for "stand up to cancer". It probably wont promise huge Hollywood style helpings of baking inspiration, but I am sure it will deliver some much-needed laughs. The five new episodes being aired, starting next week, will feature 20 famous faces  from the worlds of entertainment, sport, music and film ( less Joan Crawford alas ).Each episode will see four celebrities compete over three baking challenges in a bid to win the Star Baker apron. Hopefully it will serve up a bit of relief from groping around for cheap and cheery joy in these dark and stressful times. Meanwhile to keep us in the spirit, lets not beat about the bungalow but start getting inventive with a no egg chocolate mousse. Curious, I think you will be, I was at first, read on.

Mouth-watering five-ingredient chocolate mousse
"When you haven't got time for overnight setting or you don't want to use raw eggs, this mousse is perfect." Nigella. 

150g mini marshmallows
50g soft butter
250g good dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids) chopped into small pieces
60ml hot water (from a recently boiled kettle)
284ml double cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of flaky sea salt ( optional )
1/2 tsp red chilli flakes ( optional ) 

Start by putting marshmallows, butter, chocolate and water in a heavy-based saucepan.
Put the saucepan on the hob to melt the contents, slowly stirring every now and again. Once melted, leave to cool.
While its cooling whip the cream with the vanilla extract until thick and fold into the cool chocolate mixture.
Finally, pour the mixture into 4 glasses or sundae dishes or 6 small ones and leave them to chill. There you have it!