3 Easy & Healthy Chocolate Recipes

 Looking for healthy chocolate recipes? Check our 3 savory ways to eat more chocolate.

Contrary to what you may have heard, loading up on chocolate can be a GREAT thing for our health.  But, loading up on sugar…not so much.

When I advocate eating tons of chocolate, I’m really referring to cacao powder from which chocolate is created.  The health benefits of eating cacao are substantial and abundant!

• Reduce tiredness and fatigue. Some studies have shown that flavanol, a plant-based antioxidant found in cacao, helps with this.
• Improve heart health and cognitive function, while also helping to regulate blood pressure.
• Regulate our moods by reducing anxiety with its natural compounds – chocolate makes us feel good!

CACAO IS ALSO A WELL OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS.  IT HAS:

• Fiber for healthy digestion and a healthy gut
• Potassium for muscular and neurological function
• Protein for muscle growth
• Magnesium for a healthy metabolism, healthy mind, and strong bones and teeth
• Antioxidants for radiant, younger-looking skin

 

With all of these incredible benefits, why are we advised to stay away from chocolate?  Largely because it’s often eaten in sweet, healthy desserts recipes that are often loaded with sugars and saturated fats…

So, here are 3 savory recipes to EASILY sneak more chocolate into your diet while deepening the flavor of some of your favorite dishes.

LEAN CHOCOLATE CHILI WITH BEANS

PREP TIME 5 MINUTES

COOK TIME 30 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 35 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for 4 hearty servings

• 1 slice bacon, chopped into pieces (SUBSTITUTE: 1 tablespoon olive oil)
• 1 cup (white) diced onion (or 1 medium onion)
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 lb ground 95% lean beef (or lean protein of your choice; veggie ground)
• 5 tablespoons tomato paste (NOT sauce)
• Seasonings
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 cups no-salt-added beef broth
• 1 can (15oz) no-salt black beans, drained (OPTIONAL)
• 1 oz 100% cacao piece (or 2 tablespoons cacao powder or dark chocolate powder)
• sea salt & pepper to taste
• Garnish
  • cilantro
  • fresh lime

STEPS

1. Set a dutch oven or pot on medium high heat.  Once hot, add chopped bacon pieces to render fat, about 1 – 2 minutes (the bacon should not burn).  Add the onion and garlic, along with a pinch of sea salt to draw out the sweetness.  Saute until brown and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add ground meat and chop it up while it cooks in the skillet, about 3 to 5 minutes.  The meat does NOT have to be cooked all the way, it just needs to be chopped up.
3. Increase the heat to HIGH and add tomato paste and the seasonings.  Quickly stir as the spices begin to bloom but be careful that they are not burning.  Stir for 1 – 2 minutes and note that some of the mixture WILL stick to the bottom of the pot – just make sure it is not burning by continuously stirring.
4. Reduce heat to medium, then pour in the broth.  Deglaze the bottom of the pot using a wooden spatula.  (Note: if you desire a thicker chili, use less broth but reduce the heat to minimize evaporation and prevent any burning due to less liquid.)
5. Bring to a light simmer, then add the cacao by grating it or by just adding it directly to the pot.  Stir to mix.
6. Reduce heat to low, then cover and cook for at least 20 minutes.
   
7. Garnish and enjoy!  I enjoyed mine with some air fried tostones as a “tostones pie” instead of a frito pie!