Nectarine & strawberry pots

Ingredients

• 250 g mascarpone cheese 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 large orange zest 
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar to taste
• 85 g almonds flaked toasted
• 2  nectarines ripe thinly sliced
• 100 g strawberries hulled thinly sliced
• 100 g chocolate dark 70% ( cocoa solids)
• 142 ml double cream 
• 25 g butter unsalted

Equipment

• frying pan
• knife
• ramekin

Directions

1. Line 4 x 150ml ramekin dishes with cling film. Beat the mascarpone until soft and creamy, then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest and icing sugar to taste. Fold in 50g/2oz of the almonds.
2. In the prepared ramekins, carefully layer up the cheese mixture with the nectarines and strawberries. Level the tops and chill for at least 1hr.
3. To make the sauce, put the chocolate, cream and butter in a small pan and stir over a low heat until melted. Dont leave the pan as the chocolate will turn grainy if it gets too hot. Once melted, stir in 2 tbsp of hot (not boiling) water.
4. To serve, run round the ramekins with a sharp knife then unmould onto plates. Top with remaining almonds and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce.