Ice cream "drowned" in espresso (Affogato al caffè)

1. Put the serving glasses or cups in the freezer for 10 minutes so the ice cream melts more slowly.

2. Meanwhile, finely grate the dark chocolate.

3. Brew four strong espressos (one per person).

4. Put two scoops of vanilla ice cream in each glass.

5. At the table, pour the hot espresso over each one.

6. Sprinkle with the grated chocolate and serve immediately with a teaspoon, while hot meets cold.

Tip: The simplest dessert in Italian trattorias: you can crumble amaretti biscuits over it, and adults can add a little amaretto liqueur to the coffee; decaf espresso works too.