chocolate
It’s National Chocolate Day (although there are many), and everyone is probably dreaming of desserts like cakes, cookies, Nutella and fudge. But other meals can take advantage of chocolate’s deep, rich flavor profiles for delicious dishes that combine savory and sweet. Here are eight recipes you can use to get creative and celebrate National Chocolate Day.
Dessert for Breakfast
Start your morning with some Cocoa Crisp Bacon for a sweet and salty combination that will change the way you look at bacon. The smokiness of the bacon is amplified by the rich cocoa and the slight heat from the chipotle chile pepper.
Jump on the chia seed bandwagon with this Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding, which is full of protein, healthy fats, fibers and minerals, for breakfast. This creamy, chocolate pudding can be the base for an infinite number of toppings, such as fruit, granola or coconut flakes.
Sweet Appetizers
If you’re having taco night, kick it up with these Cocoa Tostada Bites. Tostada bites are like a taco in one bite. Use crispy little chips for the base, and put all the tostada fillings on top for an easy delicious appetizer. Add some cocoa powder to your bean mix, made up of garlic, tomatoes, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, Tabasco sauce, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper, for a rich, spicy bite. The sweetness from the cocoa will pair perfectly with the creaminess of the beans and avocado on top.
This Eggplant Caponata Crostini recipe puts a fresh and sweet new twist on a traditional Italian crostini by adding cocoa powder to the tomato and eggplant base. Top the crispy crostini bread with this mixture for an appetizer that is both rich and hearty.
Dessert for Dinner
If you thought classic pasta with sauce couldn’t get any better, try this pasta with Dark Chocolate Marinara Sauce. Author Ali Ebright of the “Gimme Some Oven” food blog says the chocolate gives “a subtle, warm hint that rounds out the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly.”
Give hearty chili more depth by adding bitter cocoa to this Black Bean Chili with Chocolate and Coconut. The mix of sugary, bitter and smoky flavors marry perfectly for a sweet yet savory dish. The dish finishes with a resonant, sweet, flaky bite thanks to the coconut on top.
For a lighter fare that still satisfies your sweet tooth, try this Spinach Salad with Mangos, Dried Cranberries and Chocolate Vinaigrette. The chocolate gives a rich kick to this refreshing and healthy salad that can still satisfy your cravings.
Sweet smoky barbecue sauces take on a whole new dimension of flavor in this Chocolate Beer Chipotle Barbecue Sauce perfect for spicing up your favorite foods. Slather this sauce on chicken, pulled pork or burgers, or use it as the base for pizza or flatbreads.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and embrace the transformative power of chocolate. Now you don’t have to feel guilty about eating chocolate at every meal. You’re welcome.
