Chocolate Wasabi Pom Poms (first place, 2007)

When you cook with fine chocolate, do you reach for wattleseed? Jicama? Mustard seeds?

If those combinations make you say “yum” rather than “yuck” (and if you know what wattleseed is), this contest might be for you.

The Chocolate Adventure Contest is looking for recipes in three categories: sweet, savory and beverage. The winner of each category will bring home $5,000 and a trio of signed books, “The Essence of Chocolate” by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg, founders of Scharffen Berger chocolate; “Pure Dessert” by Alice Medrich and “Demolition Desserts” by Elizabeth Faulkner.

Dark Chocolate Caramel Calzoni (second place, 2007)

The contest is sponsored by Scharffen Berger and TuttiFoodie.com. Each recipe must call for Scharffen Berger chocolate along with at least one of these “adventure ingredients”: popping candy (flavored or unflavored), palm sugar, basil, coriander, black sessame seeds, black or pink peppercorns, chile pepper (fresh or dried), coconut milk, kaffir lime leaf, matcha tea, mango, plantain, tapioca pearls, tamarind or tamarind paste, cacao nibs and the aforementioned mustard seeds, jicama and wattleseed. The entry deadline is Jan. 4.

Looking for inspiration?  These recipes won last year, when there was only one category:

Grapefruit Madeleines with Rosemary Infused Chocolate Drizzle (third place, 2007)

• First place: Chocolate Wasabi Pom Poms
• Second place: Dark Chocolate Caramel Calzoni
• Third place: Grapefruit Madeleines with Rosemary Infused Chocolate Drizzle

And what about wattleseed? It’s a spice from Australian that’s becoming more popular in around the world.