When barbecue meets chocolate: Sweet and savoury must-makes

From two-choc pizza to sticky cocoa ribs, discover the delicious intersection of chocolate and barbecue.

Chocolate and cherry pizza Source: Watts on the Grill

--- Catch Spencer Watts cooking with cocoa in the latest episode of the brand new season of Watts on the Grill, 8.30pm 13 November on SBS Food and then SBS On Demand ---

 

The rich, dark appeal of chocolate gets kicked up a notch when you're cooking on the 'cue. Here are some of our fave ways to bring the two together.

Cocoa-rubbed ribs

"There are so many possibilities for chocolate on the barbeque," says Spencer Watts, who devotes an entire episode of Watts on the Grill to the idea. His suggestions include a barbecue classic: ribs. "Everybody loves ribs on the barbeque, sweet, succulent smoky ribs, they’re just delicious. So many different kinds out there but these cocoa ribs are the best you’ve ever had!" he says of his cocoa-rubbed ribs.

Cocoa-rubbed baby back ribs Source: Watts on the Grill

Smoky eggplant and cocoa dip

This version of babaganoush sounds unusual, but it’s absolutely delicious: the chocolate and eggplant together give a subtle, sweet, earthy smoky flavour, says Justine Schofield of this delicious dip, which can be cooked on the coals of a campfire, or a barbecue.

Cocoa eggplant dip Source: Tropical Gourmet

Chocolate pizza

"We all have a kid that lives inside of us ... whether you are a kid at heart or a real-life kid, this chocolate pizza is for you," says Spencer Watts of his sweet, grilled take on the Italian classic. And this one is easy: "Every good pizza needs a sauce. This one’s super simple. Just take warm cream, pour them over chocolate chips, and then slowly whisk it together and it develops a really nice chocolate sauce, just like magic." And then there's the white chocolate: "If you take this [white] chocolate and heat it on the barbeque, it caramelises and something really gnarly happens to it. It gets crunchy, it gets nutty, it gets chewy, it’s the best texture and the coolest flavour you’ve ever had," he says.

Two-chocolate grilled pizza Source: Watts on the Grill

Death by Diva

"Death by Diva is my most requested recipe. It combines a little fruit, a little cheesecake, a little brownie and a whole lot of delicious," says American barbecue queen Danielle Bennett, aka Diva Q, of her rich dessert. (You'll need to plan ahead for this one, as the brownies need time to cook, and the strawberries to chill).

Death by Diva Source: Diva Q's Barbecue / Random House

Grilled cinnamon toast fruit kebabs

Here's another delicious grilled dessert from Spencer Watts: these grilled cinnamon toast fruit kebabs are made by skewering bananas, strawberries and cinnamon toast, then drizzling with white and dark chocolate.

Grilled cinnamon toast fruit kebabs with chocolate Source: Watts on the Grill

Chocolate crème brûlée

This take on the French classic is cooked in a covered barbecue (although you can do it in an oven, too). These chocolate brûlées can be made a day ahead of serving time.

Chocolate brulee Source: Destination Flavour