A Chocolate Porking

I now pronounce you Chocolate and Pork; you may now kiss your Pork.

The Married Couple

Will this marriage work?

Is it possible that two attractive individuals living their own lives on opposite sides of the food chain somehow meet, fall in love, and make edible bliss?

With thanks to our good friends at the Australia Pork Corporation for contributing their prized daughter, Murray Valley, I Reverend Shanks and with the cooking skills invested in me will conduct this marriage.

The Blushing Bride, Murray Valley

Apologies to one and all for missing the Yayas Yummers group pork blog to celebrate the launch of the new Food Bloggers award; I was somewhat detained by Bride-zilla demanding her special day to be unique and memorable. I was on a pilgrimage seeking enlightenment to plan the perfect match for Murray with the charming chocolate, Lindt.

Tall, Dark, and Handsome Groom, Lindt

"Ah, If memory serves me right" I was inspired by an Iron Chef Mexican battle where I was originally exposed to the thought of using chocolate in savoury dishes.

Chocolate Mole Sauce

It reminded me that a good marriage requires Love, patience, respect, and a good ear. So I married the loving couple with a bridal party of tomatoes, garlic, chilli and lime sprinkled with the spices of life of cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg; and blessed by the old traditions of salt and pepper. Their special day is to be showered with hopes and dreams of cous cous confetti, and to be consummated (Porking!!) on a soft bed of tortilla.

Murray Valley Pork can't beat it!!

Yes, it definitely was a celebration, in my mouth that is. The bride and groom waltzed gracefully together throwing a bouquet of different flavours hitting my taste buds harmoniously. Lindt's smooth subtle charm and good looks tamed the raging heat of chilli and the sting of lime. The sweet spices perfumed Murray elegantly drawing out her natural sweet scent and succulent beauty. But like any marriage the happy couple cannot do it alone and definitely needed a reception of fresh salsa and comforting tortilla to balance textures and flavours.


Dearly beloved, you too can help celebrate the marriage of Lindt and Murray, with the exclusive invitation below:


Pan fried Murray Valley Pork Medallions with Chocolate Mole Sauce.

The Bridal Party (Ingredients):

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 500gm pork sliced or cubed
• 1/3 cup chicken stock
• 50 grams 70% dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup tinned tomatoes
• Pinch of cumin
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 birds eye chilli, chopped
• Dash of tomato sauce
• 1 tspn brown sugar

• 1 fresh tomato, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced shallots
• 1/4 cup Spanish onions
• Juice of 1/2 a lime

• Cous Cous to serve
• Tortilla, quartered to serve

The Wedding Ceremony (Method):

• Heat pan over medium heat. Drizzle both sides of the pork with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Char-grill until just cooked through.

• Combine chicken stock and chocolate in a saucepan, stir over heat until smooth.
• Add tinned tomatoes, chilli, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, tomato sauce, and brown sugar and simmer for 5 mins and set aside.
• Combine fresh tomato, Spanish onions, shallots, and lime juice in a small bowl. Toss gently and season to taste.
• Serve the pork spooning the chocolate mole sauce over the top; with salsa, cous cous, tortilla and lime wedge.

So tell me readers, what weird food combinations have you experienced?


Till next time ... we eat!!

Rev. Shanks.