It's Fairtrade Fortnight (until 8 March) and The Simple Things is celebrating with a trio of delicious and ethically responsible chocolate-based recipes. We think you might want to join us...
Over the past 20 years, the FAIRTRADE mark has become the best known ethical label in the UK. The Fairtrade movement has generated significant economic benefits for farmers and workers around the world, from cocoa growers in Ghana to sugar farmers in Belize. In 2015, the Fairtrade Foundation wants to see more people choosing products that change lives - so that greater impact can be achieved over the next 20 years and beyond.
70% of the world’s food is produced by 500 million smallholder farmers yet many of them can’t feed their families. And many farmers who are part of the Fairtrade system are still not selling all their produce as Fairtrade to work their way out of real poverty. For example, tea growers are selling less than 10% of total production as Fairtrade.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 turns the spotlight on the famers and workers who grow our favourite food, to share their compelling stories and remind everyone of the dramatic difference Fairtrade makes and why it is still needed.
Focusing on three ingredients we couldn't live without - cocoa, tea and sugar - try one of three Fairtrade Fortnight recipes we'll be bringing you this week.
Tiramisu
1 large free-range egg yolk
1 tbsp caster sugar
80g mascarpone cheese
40g whipping cream
4 sponge fingers, broken in half
60ml espresso coffee
1 tsp caster sugar
1 tbsp Marsala
20g dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
1. Whisk the egg yolk and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the mascarpone.
2. Add the cream, and whip everything together until soft peaks form.
3. Place a spoonful in two glasses. Mix the sugar with the espresso, and dip the sponge fingers in it. Arrange on top of the cream. Splash over the Marsala.
4. Top with remaining cream, and finish with grated chocolate.
5. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.