Chocolate Bark - Paleo (ish!)

So last week I made this chocolate bark for a party I was having. It's coming up to the Christmas Season and so I wanted to have nice and tasty nibbles that weren't going to be leaving people feeling stuffed, over indulged or sick.

I have seen chocolate bark on lots of blogs and recipe sites but never actually made it. I didn't follow any recipe for this and, like most of my recipes, just made it up as I went along using items I had in my house!

For once this actually worked out perfectly first time and it was a massive hit at the party! People couldn't get enough of it. In fact I'm having another dinner party this Thursday and I'm making it for dessert again.

Here's how you can make it too:

Ingredients:
400g of Dark Chocolate (ideally 70% plus)
1 dash of Olive Oil or teaspoon of Butter (real NOT margarine) or Coconut Oil
1 tablespoon of Raw, Organic Honey
1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
1 dash of Vanilla Essence or some real Vanilla bean
Toppings which can include - Dessicated coconut, dried fruits (no added oil or sugar - I used Figs), chopped nuts (I used sliced almonds), seeds (I used chia seeds), freshly ground sea salt (I used Pink Himalaya Rock Slat)

Method:
Melt the chocolate gently in a pan with the fat of choice (Oil, Butter or Coconut Oil)
Once it is melted add the vanilla, cinnamon and honey and stir well.
Using a flat tray line it with some greaseproof paper.
Spread the chocolate mix evenly on the paper using the back of a spoon or spatula.
Sprinkle on your selected toppings - Fruit, nuts, seeds, salt etc
Allow to cool and place in the fridge to set.
Break into pieces and enjoy!

It really is that simple. It takes minutes to make and I often make a double batch and keep some in the fridge for when I'm feeling like a treat.

I must say it's the combination of the figs and salt in this that really make this. It's almost like salted caramel.


Prep Time:
5-10 minutes

Cooking Time:
None! Just leave to harden in the fridge.

Dietary Information:
Paleo (ish!) the higher % chocolate the better with this
Good fats - from the oil and seeds/nuts/coconut
Full of antioxidants from the high chocolate content
Full of natural sweetness from the fruit and honey
Vegetarian
Vegan (if you use coconut oil and dairy free chocolate)
Gluten Free
Wheat Free

Storage Instructions:
I keep this in a sealed container and it will last weeks in the fridge - provided you don't eat it all.


OK now I need to publish this post fast as I've eaten 4 pieces already writing this as it keeps reminding me of how good it is!

Enjoy!

Sweet Summer Treats

Since moving to Germany I decided to join a book club. It is with the ladies I work with and we keep it relatively casual and as an excuse to get together, have some nice food and chats away from the work environment. We also actually talk about the book!

Each person brings a food dish and it makes for the most lovely evening. This week I decided to bring dessert. The weather is warm here and there are so many strawberry farms near by I thought Chocolate covered strawberries would be perfect. Cheap, easy and healthy to boot. They went down an absolute treat with all in attendance! Here's how you can do the same:

Ingredients:
60%+ Dark chocolate (I usually use 75-80%)
Strawberries
Desicated Coconut
Chia Seeds
Drop of Olive Oil

Method:

First you need to prepare your strawberries. Wash them well, leaving the stalks intact. Allow them to dry completely or pat dry with kitchen paper or a towel. Any moisture will prevent the chocolate from sticking.

Using a metal pan on low heat break the  chocolate into pieces and melt with 2-3 drops of oil. The oil allows you more time to work with the chocolate and also gives it a lovely sheen.

As the chocolate is melting stir every few seconds to prevent it burning. You can also melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a metal pan with the base covered in water this is known as the bain marie method.

As the chocolate is melting prepare a tray or plate with some grease proof paper. Have the strawberries near by and get two small bowls filled with your toppings. Here I used dedicated coconut and chia seeds. Other options are crushed nuts, ground goji berries, almond flakes, crushed pistachios or orange zest. Equally you can just serve them with plain chocolate.

Using the green stalks as a hand hold dip the chocolate into the pan of melted chocolate covering as much as possible. Immediately dip the berry in the topping of your choice. Place on their side on the greaseproof tray and allow to cool.

These are best served from the fridge on a warm summers day.

The perfect quick, healthy and tasty end to a summer's meal.

Prep Time:
Less than 5 minutes!

Dietary Information:
Gluten Free

Wheat free

Sugar Free 

Paleo 

Vegetarian

Nuts are packed with good fats, omega 3s (brain food) minerals and vitamins.

Chia seeds are full of protein, antioxidants and make you fell full for longer.

Dark Chocolate is packed with anti-oxidants and helps lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).

Storage Instructions:

These can be made in advance and when cool stored in a sealed container or frozen. 

You don't have to use just strawberries. Sliced Banana is also good and looks wonderful with lots of different toppings.

Enjoy!