How to Cook Healthy Meals Using Chocolate For Your Next Dinner Date

- by MonSun Chan | TheChocolateDate.com ©2012

We have associated chocolate as a sweet and decadent treat. But have you ever thought about eating it as part of a savory dish? Yes, savory chocolate as a meal and a fun dinner idea you can do for your sweetie when dining at home. If you love cooking, this is for you!

 

In past newsletters and Facebook posts I’ve mentioned doing a chocolate inspired dinner as a date with your sweetie. Of course the easiest chocolate dish you can pick up from a local restaurant or in the supermarket is Mexican Mole – sauce made with chocolate, chilies and spices. You can use this same sauce in a savory fondue to cook meats and vegetables.

 

After just come back from the North West Chocolate Festival in Seattle last weekend I’ve learned more about cooking with chocolate. Karen, chocolatier from Forte Artisan Chocolates have produced a line of savory chocolates both white and dark flavors. This Gusto Chocolates line offers Fireweed Honey and Bacon Pieces in dark chocolate. In white chocolate you can find Balsamic Vinegar, Rosemary Sea Salt and Lemon and Pepper.

 

 

She demonstrated how to use chocolate to make an Alfredo pasta sauce. Bars of white chocolate Lemon and Pepper, cream, and Parmesan cheese. White chocolate has high amount of cocoa butter. If you don’t want the sweet flavor, you can use just plain cocoa butter with some lemon zest to mimic the flavor. In cooking, simply use cocoa butter when butter is called for. It can be used on bake potato and even for frying steak. If you would like the brown colour you can add cocoa powder.

 

Cocoa butter is the fat from the cacao bean that is removed before it is processed into chocolate. Commonly used in moisturizers and lotions. Plus half the calories of butter and no animal by products which is perfect for Vegans.

 

You can find cocoa butter in culinary stores and the chocolatier mentioned the pharmacies too (cosmetic/moisturizer – lotion aisle).

 

- 1/2 the calories of butter without the animal by-products (perfect for vegans)

- high in antioxidants

- suitable both as a food and a skin moisturizer that can treat skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

- has the same properties as olive oil

- can be stored 1-3 years (tightly away from scents and moisture).

 

Buying Tips:

- should be fragrant free and flavorless (if the cocoa butter is flavored it has been treated)

- color should be a creamy, buttery, pale yellow.

- comes as a block or in powdered form (great for easy measuring and pouring). For the powder you can search online for Mycryo Cocoa Butter Powder. It is becoming popular among the Culinary industry.

 

Are you now inspired to try this? Enjoy the health benefits of cocoa butter in your cooking. Make a chocolate inspired meal that both you and your sweetie will enjoy! Remember to leave room for the sweet chocolate!

 

What do you think about this? Let us know. Come over to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheChocolateDate) or post your comments below. Love to hear feedback from you so I know how to better serve you. 

 

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All rights reserved ©2012 The Chocolate Date. Mon Sun C. created “The Chocolate Date”. It’s all about things to do on a date using chocolate where you can get turned on and excited again and again. Intrigued? Visit http://TheChocolateDate.com to download your complimentary eBook “10 Yummy Date Ideas for Chocolate Lovers” to get started on yummy gooey love.