Think chocolate is just for dessert? These recipes will help you incorporate the beloved ingredient in a variety of dishes from sauces to soups to gravy (and some sweet treats, too).

Alan Roettinger

January 26, 2011

2 Min Read
Cooking with cocoa

Just say “chocolate” and you’ve already got a winning recipe—and not only for dessert. Using dark chocolate to season soups, sauces, and other savory dishes is a fairly recent discovery in modern kitchens, where cutting-edge chefs and confectioners pair cacao with flavors like chile and paprika to play up the bean’s tropical origins. Meanwhile, studies continue to reveal chocolate’s therapeutic qualities, including considerable benefits to the heart, circulatory system, skin, brain, and sexual function. All this simply means there are more reasons than ever to love the “food of the gods.” Try these everyday but special-tasting recipes for your own bite of heaven.

Cocoa-Infused Black Bean Soup

Serves 6 / Easy, healthy, and different. The cocoa adds an exotic note that melds sensually with black beans’ deep flavor and creamy texture. view recipe

Shortcut Mole over Polenta

Serves 8 / A greatly abbreviated, easy-to-make version of classic mole. Dried whole chiles and pasilla chile powder are available in most food markets. They pack a fiery punch, so use according to taste.  view recipe

Mixed Greens with Pineapple and Cacao Nib Vinaigrette

Serves 4 /Nestled in this unique salad of greens, pineapple, and spices, crunchy cacao nibs appear suddenly, adding little explosions of rich, dark (but not sweet) chocolate.  view recipe

Turkey Tenders with Herbed Chocolate Gravy

Serves 4 /Chances are good that no one will be able to pick out the chocolate flavor in this rich gravy, but everyone will enjoy the health benefits. This recipe works equally well with chicken breast cutlets.  view recipe

Earl Grey Hot Chocolate

Serves 2 / Break away from heavy, creamy hot chocolate and go native! Before Europeans arrived on the scene in Mexico, chocolate was enjoyed dairy free. In this truly classic (and much healthier) hot chocolate, just a hint of old-world sophistication in the form of Earl Grey tea brings the two continents together.  view recipe

Chocolate Coconut Oat Bars

Makes 24 / With a classic macaroon texture, these egg-, dairy-, and gluten-free treats are an adult chocolate indulgence. Kids, of course, will love them too.  view recipe

Chocolate-dipped strawberries

A perfect Valentine’s Day treat!  view recipe

Frequent contributor and chocolate lover Alan Roettinger is the author of Omega-3 Cuisine (Books Alive, 2008) and Speed Vegan (Book Publishing, 2010).

About the Author(s)

Alan Roettinger

 

Alan Roettinger has been a private chef to the stars for over 28 years, and has authored two cookbooks, Omega-3 Cuisine (Books Alive, 2008) and Speed Vegan (Book Publishing, 2010). Visit him and preview his books at www.alanroettinger.com, or check out his blog at Vegan Ascent.

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