Title:	The Art and Craft of Chocolate: An enthusiast's guide to selecting, preparing and enjoying artisan chocolate at home
	Author:	Nathan Hodge
	Published:	August 21, 2018, Quarry Books
	No. of Pages:	160
	Cover Price:	$24.99 Flexibound, $11.99 Kindle

---

Have you ever wondered how that decadent chocolate you hide and sneak regularly was produced? Nathan Hodge, an expert in the field of chocolate, has written a fascinating book outlining the steps of chocolate making, the history of chocolate, and almost everything you could ever want to know about this popular foodstuff that in many people’s minds is its own food group. In the cookbook, the author focuses on chocolate making at home, and goes through the steps of making, tempering, and using homemade chocolate.

While the book is an interesting read in itself, it also contains decadent recipes that are unique and upscale. There are recipes using everything chocolate: cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, chocolate bars, and even chocolate stout. Most of the recipes have minimal ingredients and are easy to follow. Of course Hodge has included recipes for both Black and Red Mole – the famous Mexican sauce containing chocolate, but he also ventures out and presents a recipe (which is delicious) for Thai Coconut and Lemongrass Chocolate Soup, Crispy Chocolate Carnitas, and Cocoa Jerk Chicken. Chocolate tortillas are definitely in the queue, as well as chocolate pasta.

Hodge certainly has an imagination and a knack for pairing chocolate with ingredients that most wouldn’t think of putting together. The bottom line is that they work well together, and these recipes are very tasty. Like any really good cookbook, The Art and Craft of Chocolate includes beautiful photographs – both in the history and how-to sections, as well as a photo of every recipe.

Anyone who wants to make their own chocolate as a hobby, or anyone curious about how chocolate came about and is made, will want to pick up this cookbook. Cooks everywhere who like unique and delicious recipes, even if they don’t have the time or ambition to make chocolate at home, will welcome this excellent cookbook in their collection.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.