Chocolate Balsamic Vinaigrette

While this chocolate balsamic vinaigrette is enjoyable all year, I’m sharing it in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day since I consider this chocolate season. Make it as a decadent touch to greens with berries, pecans, cherries and any ingredient you think could use a kiss of chocolate. Pretty much any fruit plays well as do toasted nuts, seeds, brioche croutons, and a variety of cheeses. With a Valentine’s menu that doesn’t include salad, drizzle it over roasted carrots or winter squash. Serve this chocolate tart or truffle-like brownies for dessert.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be anticipating the sweetness of Valentine’s Day along with the meaningful ways we can show affection. The pure joy of a day dedicated to love in all its forms makes it my favorite of all holidays. My secret wish for you is to light tall candles in the kitchen, make this vinaigrette, and let it meld while they drip.

Ingredients

1 ounce preferred dark chocolate
2 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
¾ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus extra to taste
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

When selecting chocolate for this recipe, opt for a baking bar instead of chocolate chips as it will melt more smoothly. Generally I choose a chocolate with around 60 to 70 percent cacao not any higher as I prefer the richness without too much bitterness. The flavor of the dressing can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the amount of honey.

Begin by melting the chocolate. The simplest method is to chop the chocolate, add it to a microwave-safe bowl, and heat in bursts of about 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between. The chocolate should be completely melted and stirred until smooth.

Whisk the vinegar, honey, and salt into the chocolate.

Next drizzle the olive oil slowly into the chocolate mixture whisking constantly until emulsified. The slower you drizzle in the olive oil, the easier it will be to emulsify, though the chocolate certainly helps this dressing to come together smoothly and stay that way as it melds. Adjust taste with additional honey and salt as desired. I recommend allowing this dressing to sit for at least an hour or even overnight, as the flavor becomes irresistible as it sits.

Drizzle generously over a salad with preferred greens and a combination of ingredients such as pears, goat cheese, and pecans or perhaps halved cherries and pistachios. For a beautiful option with strawberries, try this arugula salad.