A glossy chocolate roll cake topped with whipped cream and chocolate pearls. When sliced, it reveals a vibrant rainbow swirl ...

Ashlie D. Stevens is Salon's senior food editor. She is also an award-winning radio producer, editor and features writer — with a special emphasis on food, culture and subculture.

Chocolate is really big in Mexican cooking, both in sweet and savory dishes, if you think of moles and rubs, we love chocolate, and we're proud of our chocolate too.

Chocolate Wafer Cookies & Ice Box Cake. From Zoë Bakes on Magnolia Network. Makes about 75 1½-inch cookies, and one very large cake — you can halve for a smaller version.