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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…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter & Jelly Cups | Halloween Inspiration
Homemade peanut butter and jelly cups are year-round sweets, but it happens to be nearing Halloween as I write this. That means I’m also sharing a playlist of my favorite seasonal songs to get you in the spirit. If there is anything better than melting chocolate for a new recipe, it’s playing some good music while you do it. Whether you celebrate spooky season or tend toward the cuter side of the holiday, now is the time to think about festive dishes to enjoy on Halloween in between popping these chocolates. I personally love this pumpkin tomato soup served in a whole pumpkin. If you already have a main dish…
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Jam Swirl Brownies
Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday for the meaningful and sweet ways we can celebrate. Below you’ll find a list of my favorites from volunteer efforts to sending beautiful language into the world. Maybe you’ll share a little love with the pollinators who keep our gardens plentiful by planning a spring garden full of their favorite perennials. Perhaps you’ll gift a packet of flower seeds to a friend. There are so many ways to enjoy the day, including chocolate indulgences such as these jam swirl brownies that can be made with berry jam or even cherry preserves. If you’ve participated in my Sweet and Savory Sides of Chocolate…
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Chocolate Granola
Add a little chocolate to your breakfast or simply snack on this homemade granola. With Halloween approaching, this is also a healthier treat to enjoy throughout the day. Sweetened with pure maple syrup, the combination of oats and mix-ins in this chocolate granola recipe become even more delicious when tossed with cocoa powder and baked until toasty. As a final touch, I add some chopped chocolate toward the end of baking. Sprinkle on more or less depending on just how chocolatey you like things. On the weekend I may flip some ricotta pancakes or make a more extensive breakfast, but granola is my preference midweek, and I make lots of…
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Chocolate Tart with Biscoff Crust
Decadent chocolate ganache fills a press-in crust with deep caramel flavor, making this tart a delicious alternative to a box of chocolates for your loves, yourself, and everyone else you will be treating on Valentine’s Day. While this tart can be made any time of year, we find ourselves in midwinter, when citrus practically demands to be included in sweets. The richness of the ganache pairs perfectly with candied blood orange and mandarin slices, plus a few pieces of pizzelles, though the choice of topping is completely up to you. The combination of chocolate, caramel notes, and citrus I find absolutely irresistible. Making ganache involves pouring hot cream over plenty…
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