When you have a few squares of good chocolate and little else, this is the dinner that justifies keeping it. Warm and rich in under twenty minutes, served with nothing but salt and hot milk or water.

Serves 2. 15 minutes, 10 at the stove.

About 340 calories a serving, 5 g protein, 24 g carbohydrate, 25 g fat. From USDA figures for 100% of the ingredients; amounts are the recipe's.

You need a few squares [60g] chocolate half, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 pinch salt, 1 cup milk or water.

1. Chop a few squares of chocolate into small pieces. Set a heavy pot or small skillet over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons butter to it. When the butter melts and foams, add the chopped chocolate and stir often until it melts into the butter, about three minutes.3 min
2. Pour 1 cup of warm milk or hot water into the melted chocolate and butter, stirring to combine. Add one pinch of salt. Taste and adjust salt if needed; it should be faintly salted.
3. Divide between two cups and serve hot, stirring before you drink to keep the chocolate from settling.

Note Swap milk for water if you have no milk, or use half milk and half cream if you can. Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to two days; reheat gently in a pot. Serve it as an after-dinner drink or a light supper on its own, or with a piece of toast on the side.

A warm, silky chocolate sauce coats pasta for a simple weeknight supper that uses up what's left of the bar. The chocolate softens into the pasta water and butter, turning rich without needing cream. Serve it with a pinch of salt and pepper to bring out the depth.

Serves 2. 25 minutes, 10 at the stove.

About 420 calories a serving, 11 g protein, 64 g carbohydrate, 13 g fat. From USDA figures for 67% of the ingredients; amounts are the recipe's.

You need half a bar chocolate, 6 ounces [170g] pasta, 2 tablespoons [30g] butter, to taste salt, to taste pepper.

1. Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil in a pot. Drop in 6 ounces of pasta and stir; cook until one minute before tender, about 9 minutes. While the pasta cooks, chop half a bar of chocolate into small pieces and set aside.10 min
2. Drain the pasta into a colander, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot with 2 tablespoons of butter, the chopped chocolate, and 2 tablespoons of the cooking water.
3. Set the pot over low heat and stir until the chocolate melts and forms a silky sauce, about 2 minutes. Add more cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve at once.2 min

Note Swap the chocolate for a tablespoon of cocoa powder and increase the butter to 3 tablespoons. Leftovers keep in the fridge for a day and reheat gently with a splash of water. Serve with grated cheese on the side if you like, or a simple green salad.

A warm skillet cake studded with melted chocolate, baked in one pan and ready in under thirty minutes. This uses up your chocolate chips while the batter bakes around them, no mixer needed.

Serves 2. 30 minutes, 8 at the stove.

About 860 calories a serving, 11 g protein, 101 g carbohydrate, 46 g fat. From USDA figures for 100% of the ingredients; amounts are the recipe's.

You need 1 cup [170g] chocolate chips, 3 tablespoons [40g] butter, 1/4 cup [50g] sugar, 1/2 cup [60g] flour, 1 eggs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons milk.

1. Heat your oven to 350°F [175°C]. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat, then remove from heat.
2. Whisk together 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of milk, 1/2 cup of flour, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a bowl until just combined.
3. Pour the batter into the warm skillet and scatter 1 cup of chocolate chips evenly over the top.
4. Bake until the cake is golden and springs back when touched at the centre, about 20 to 22 minutes.21 min
5. Let cool for 2 minutes in the pan, then serve warm with a spoon directly from the skillet.

Note Swap the chocolate chips for an equal amount of chopped nuts if you prefer. Leftovers keep covered at room temperature for one day. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side.