Chocolate 7 Ways!

CARAMALISED CHOCOLATE POPCORN

Watching a movie with a sweet ending is now all the more sweeter with caramelised chocolate popcorn.

50 Gms of popped corn
½ Cup dark  homemade chocolate
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp brown sugar
¾ Tsp baking powder
¾ Cup water
¼ Tsp salt
4 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp coconut oil

METHOD

In a saucepan, add water, sugar, honey, butter and coconut oil. Simmer on medium heat for about 4 mins till the mixture caramelises. Remove from heat, add the chopped chocolate, salt and baking soda and stir continuously. The baking soda will make the mixture foam, aerating it and thereby making it easier to coat the popcorn. Pour the mixture over the corn to evenly cover all of it and stir till all of the popcorn is covered with the mixture. Enjoy a crispy chocolate snack.

CHOCOLATE BBQ CHICKEN HOT WINGS

Love hot wings? Here is a secret ingredient that will surprise your taste buds.

15 chicken wings
½ cup water
1 tsp garlic powder
4 tbsp worcestershire sauce or light soy sauce
¼ cup chopped homemade chocolate (dark)
1 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
½ tsp vinegar
1 ½ tbsp soft brown sugar
Salt to taste
Corriander leaves and lime for garnish

METHOD

Toss the chicken wings in a pan with a little oil, add ½ a cup of water and close the lid and stem cook it with the garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Once done remove and set aside.
Add all the other ingredients to the pan and simmer till it is a thick sauce and all the chocolate is melted. Add the cooked wings and toss them till the sauce coats all the wings. Check for salt and add if needed. (Note: Worcestershire sauce contains salt). Serve with a scatter of freshly chopped coriander and a lime wedge.

CHOCOLATE AND OATS GRANOLA BARS

Here is a healthy treat that would make sweating in the gym so worthwhile.

2 ½ Cups old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ Cup honey
¼ Cup unsalted butter
¼ Cup brown sugar
1 Tsp vanilla extract
¼ Tsp salt
½ Cup creamy peanut butter
½ Cup roasted, salted peanuts
¼ Cup chopped homemade chocolate
Dry berries optional

METHOD

1. Roast the oats in a pan on a slow heat for 20 mins and set aside on the pan to cool.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter with honey and sugar, add in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter and finally the salted peanuts.
3. Add the oats to this mixture and combine well.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Add some dry berries. Dried raspberries and Gogi berries go well.
6. Empty this mixture into a parchment lined dish and press well with a greased spatula. Spread evenly.

Let it set for 2 hours and cut into squares. You can make this even more chocolatey by pouring a melted chocolate ganache over it and letting it set.

DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Feel like a mid-week dessert? Here is a quick and easy pudding that has all the goodness of homemade chocolate and will leave you smiling.

1 Cup sugar
½ Cup chopped chocolate
¼ Cup cornstarch
½ Tsp salt
4 Cups whole milk
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Teaspoons vanilla extract

METHOD

Set aside a ¼ cup of milk and bring the rest to a simmer with the chopped chocolate. Stir well to melt all the chocolate. Mix the cornstarch in the remaining milk and pour it in. Reduce the flame and stir for a few minutes. Add the butter, salt and vanilla extract, stir well and pour into individual cups and refrigerate once cooled.

ORANGE AND DARK CHOCOLATE TORTE

When you feel indulgent, this dark chocolate torte is as easy as desserts can get. This no-bake torte is made from a simple Oreo crust and ganache filling.

Oreo Crust:

• 24 Oreo cookies
• 6 tablespoons (85gms) unsalted butter, melted

Ganache filling:

• 170 g(1 cup) coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 170 g(1 cup) coarsely chopped milk chocolate
• Rind of 2 oranges
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (56 g) butter, cut into small pieces

METHOD

Remove the cream filling of the cookies and gently pulse in the blender with the butter. Empty the contents into a greased springform tin and press well. Refrigerate for 30 mins. If you prefer a crisp crust, you can bake it for 7-8 mins at 180^° C

Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. (You can use 340gm of just homemade dark chocolate for this recipe) In a saucepan, bring the cream to a gentle boil and pour it over the chocolate. Leave this for 3 mins. Add the butter and the rind and stir well to ensure the mixture is smooth and silky.

Pour this over the crust and refrigerate it overnight or a minimum of 8 hours. You can decorate it with orange slices and serve.

CHOCOLATE AND OVERNIGHT OATS

This overnight oats breakfast is packed with superfoods and antioxidants that will recharge you through any busy day. Oats contain more protein than most other grains and they are a rich source of fibre. You will feel fuller and have a slow release of energy. Both chocolate and oats are high in antioxidants which may help lower blood pressure levels.

½ cup quick oats
2 Tbsp milk
½ cup yoghurt
¼ cup shaved, grated or finely chopped chocolate
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp gogi berries or any dried or fresh fruit

METHOD

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and leave it covered in the refrigerator overnight. Enjoy a quick and delicious breakfast.