TABLE Magazine’s Dutch correspondent, Marian Flint, brings us a story of Old World chocolate. The Netherlands is famous for its skill with this most seductive of sweets — here in a savory spice blend perfect to perk up a salad.

Just north of Amsterdam, near the Zaan River in Zaandijk, a bustling cacao industry took root in the first half of the 19thcentury.  The windmills in Zaandijk were used to grind the cacao beans.

A large amount of the world’s cacao beans is still processed in this region. Amsterdam is the worlds’ biggest transshipment port for cacao beans. Zaandijk attracts visitors from around the globe. Everyone always remarks about the aroma of chocolate in the air. 

That’s why ‘Smells Like Chocolate’ is the name of Ingmar and Kinito’s shop. Here you can find craft chocolates from specialty producers from around the world. They recently visited cacao plantations in Kinito’s native country of Angola, and made chocolate with cocoa beans of Cabinda, which have a unique and delicious flavor. Their goal is to bring this unknown cacao origin to the market. They would like to share some of their recipes and would love to welcome you at Smells Like Chocolate when travel opens up again.

Cacao Dukkah

Yields 6.5 ounces

1.8 oz sesame seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds crushed 

2 tsp coriander seeds, crushed

0.4 oz cacao butter 

2 tbsp cacao nibs, crushed

1.5 oz roasted mixed nuts, coarsely chopped

1.5 oz peanuts, coarsely chopped

1 tsp cacao

½ tsp chili flakes 

½ tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp salt flakes 

In a skillet, dry-roast the sesame, cumin, and coriander seeds. Melt the cacao butter in a pan and add the cacao nibs, nuts, and seeds mixture. Roast for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the cacao, chili flakes, and smoked paprika. Add salt to taste.

Save the dukkah in a jar. Sprinkle on a salad made from romaine lettuce, lamb’s lettuce, mint leaves, avocado, fava beans, and goat cheese.