Take dinner time deep down under the sea with these ink-hued dishes. Start with crispy fried calamari dredged in an activated charcoal batter and served with a garlicky squid ink aioli. Then for the main course, it’s homemade squid ink fettuccine in a white wine sauce with plenty of mussels. Finish with a no-bake activated charcoal cheesecake studded with black sesame seeds. The food may be dark, but the flavors are anything but!
Cook Time
-
Total Time
6 hr 40 min
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
1 package chocolate sandwich cookie
½ stick unsalted butter, melted
2 packages cream cheese, softened
½ cup heavy whipping cream (120 mL)
¾ cup powdered sugar (80 g)
⅓ cup dark cocoa powder (40 g)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons food grade activated charcoal
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
Nutrition Info
Calories 672
Fat 55g
Carbs 40g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 31g
Protein 10g
How to Make It
1. Step
Grease a 9-inch (22 cm) springform pan with nonstick spray.
2. Step
Add the cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Transfer to a large bowl, add the melted butter, and toss until fully combined and the crumbs take on a sand-like consistency.
3. Step
Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan and, using your hands, press the mixture against the bottom and up the sides of the pan to create the crust. Transfer to the freezer while you make the filling.
4. Step
Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, activated charcoal, and salt to a large bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until fully combined, about 2 minutes.
5. Step
Remove the crust from the freezer and pour in the filling, using a spoon to smooth the top. Sprinkle the black sesame seeds all over the filling. Refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours to set.