Unique Chocolate Recipes
While most of the common tried-and-tested pairings for chocolate lean more toward the sweeter spectrum, chocolate pairs equally well with earthier and savoury ingredients, too, such as root vegetables, red meat, and cheese.
Before jumping into the kitchen to start playing with chocolate in your favourite recipes, take a minute to taste the chocolate you intend to use first. Each individual chocolate offers its own distinctive flavours, textures, and aromas. Crafting the perfect chocolate pairing is like composing a song: it’s important to know how each instrument’s notes will complement and contrast the other.
Good quality chocolate can also be a bit temperamental in its demands for storing and handling to avoid spoiling. Chocolate should always be stored in a cool, dry, and odour-free environment, but not in the refrigerator. On its own, chocolate’s best flavour is always achieved at room temperature.
Read on to discover some recipes with unique chocolate pairings that are sure to thrill and delight, whether you’re looking for something impressive to serve this Valentine’s Day or just to spice up your routine on a Tuesday night.
In the world of food pairings, cheese with chocolate probably isn’t the first one that comes to mind. These fancy-looking lollipops have maximum wow factor for very little effort. One of the cornerstones of this recipe is the best-available ingredients to ensure the tastiest results. Try these lollipops as a fun hors d’oeuvre with a glass of full-bodied red wine or as a dessert.
The cornerstone of Mexican cuisine and famously complex, mole sauce typically takes days to prepare. This recipe cuts down on the prep and cooking time significantly, yet still yields a deeply flavourful, chocolate-kissed sauce that perfectly complements roasted butternut squash, earthy black beans, and zesty pickled onion.
Chocolate and health
Having a healthy and balanced relationship with chocolate, dark chocolate in particular, may be beneficial to both your mind and your body. Choosing quality over quantity is key.
Chocolate, specifically chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cacao content, has been shown to have high levels of antioxidants, which, in turn, can contribute to a number of health benefits. These benefits include increased heart health, strengthened immune system, sharpened brain function, and reduced stress.
So rejoice (and maybe enjoy a nibble) in the fact that there are many ways to enjoy chocolate within a healthy diet.
