I love chocolate. Anyone who knows me knows that! So you can imagine how excited I was when I found a new use for it. I recently started cooking with chocolate. It sounds crazy but I saw a chef do it on TV and I tried it. It’s wonderful! I’m not sure my husband was ready for chocolate at dinner but the flavor of the chocolate brings out great flavors in other foods and he ended up loving it too.
A great benefit of cooking with chocolate is that it’s full of antioxidants. A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that eating dark chocolate can lower blood pressure. Just be aware that most of the antioxidant benefits come from dark chocolate not milk chocolate. The higher the percentage of pure cocoa on the label, the more antioxidants the chocolate contains. Researchers recommend that you eat chocolate that is at least 60% cacao (the ingredient derived form the cocoa bean). That means that there is less sugar added and more cocoa in the chocolate. Try to stay away from chocolate that contains anything artificial like extra sweeteners or flavors.
So what can you cook with your oh so healthy chocolate? Well here is one of my favorites.
Chocolate Rub for Steak or Chicken1 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup salt
2 tsp dried red pepper flakes, chopped fine
½ tsp ground cloves
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp chili power (if you like this flavor but you can leave it out)
Just put all ingredients in a food processor and grind until fine. Rub it on meat or chicken before you cook. It’s great on chicken instead of the same old BBQ sauce or marinade you always use.
Hope you enjoy some chocolate tonight. And remember, it’s not just for dessert!
- Jennifer
Labels: Antioxidants, Healthy Recipes, Jennifer
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