They are powerful source of antioxidants. Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. They are said to neutralize free radicals in our body and help in boosting over all health.
It is good for your heart. Consuming dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease. It can help your heart to stay healthy Lots of studies reveal that the flavonoids in chocolate can help your veins and arteries to stay supple.
It is a mood food meaning that it helps you get calm and makes you happier. It is also proven that it can help reduce blood pressure.
It is very nutritious Did you know that if choose chocolate with a high cocoa content (75% to 85%) you are getting a very nutritious snack? Take the typical 100 gram chocolate bar.
Here’s our favorite, chocolate can also help in weight loss. Eating a piece of dark chocolate 20 minutes before and five minutes after a meal can cut your appetite by an impressive 50 percent.
Espresso and Oreo Chocolate Brownies
A sure treat for all chocolate lovers and children from Chef Sara Koshy
Ingredients
- 120 gm flour
- 1//4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 200 gm butter
- 270 gm dark chocolate, chopped
- 210 gm sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp espresso coffee powder
- 150 gm Oreo cookies, each broken into 3 pieces
- 50 gm chocolate chips
Method
- Line a 9″ square baking pan.
- Sieve together the flour, baking powder and salt, keep aside
- Melt butter and chocolate over a gentle heat, leave to cool.
- Place sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in a bowl and whisk till foamy.
- Fold in the melted butter and chocolate mix.Also fold in the sieved flour, coffee powder, broken Oreos and chocolate chips.
- Pour into the prepared pan, pop into a preheated 180°C oven.
- Bake for about 30 minutes.
Leave to cool completely then cut into bars. Makes 24 bars .
Chocolate cake with icing
Recipe Courtesy Sweet Perfection-Home baker Penelope
Ingredients
75 ml Milk
• 100 gm Curd
• 100 gm Butter
• 1 cup Maida Flour
• 50 gm -Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 cup-Walnut chopped
• 1 tsp-Soda Bicarbonate
• FOR ICING
• 4 tbsp-Cocoa Powder
• 50 gm-Butter (for icing)
• 1/2 tin Sweetened Condensed Milk
METHOD
1. Grease and dust an 8” baking pan
2. Preheat oven to 180oC.
3. Sieve together maida, cocoa & baking soda (soda bicarbonate).
4. Beat butter and Curd until light and creamy.
5. Fold in the sieved ingredients, alternating with milk and Sweetened Condensed Milk.
6. Fold in the chopped walnuts & pour into greased pan
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes
8. Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes and remove onto a wire rack.
9. For Chocolate Icing
10. Mix together butter, cocoa and sweetened condensed milk and beat well.
11. Microwave for 20 seconds. Mix thoroughly.
12. Spread over cake & leave to set.
13. Slice &serve.
Skinny Chocolate Mousse
Recipe courtesy: Vijetha Rangabashyam
Ingredients
85g dark chocolate
3 egg whites
¼ tsp cream of tartar (or 2 drops of lemon juice)
1 tbsp caster sugar
Method
- Melt chocolate in a microwave in 5-10 second blasts (don’t leave it in continuously as the chocolate will begin to seize). Once melted thoroughly, allow to cool.
- Whip egg whites with lemon juice (or cream of tartar) until frothy. Add sugar and whip egg whites till shiny, stiff peaks are formed (3-4 minutes).
- Fold in the whipped egg whites into the melted chocolate gradually. Do not over stir.
- Pour the mousse into serving cups and refrigerate for 4 hours minimum.