Valentines and Chocolate

This time of year calls for cozy nights at home with delicious savory meals and the occasional chocolate desert.  Valentine’s Day is definitely one of those days. 

No need felling guilty about the occasional splurge for chocolate, especially the dark version ( 70% cocoa or higher) for it is full of polyphenols and antioxidants along with many essential nutrients.  One ounce of chocolate contains approximately:

4 grams of fiber

20% DR iron (daily recommended )

20% DR magnesium

30% DR copper

32% DR manganese

In additional to this it contains plenty of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium, along with flavonoids that help protect the heart.

Chocolate has a history that dates back 4,000 years. It began in what is now know as Mexico, where the first cocoa plants were found.  When properly grown and harvested this plant is a wonderful, delicious component of a healthy diet.

Palates Chocolate covered Grahams.

Recipe available in Come to the table Cookbook.