Recipes:
1. Chocolate-Cinnamon Biscotti
2. Dark Chocolate-Almond Crisps
3. Dark Chocolate Mousse With Raspberry Sauce
4. Raspberry Sauce
5. Dark Chocolate Sauce
This may be the best news you've read all day. Chocolate, especially the dark variety, is good
for you. It contains more cacao than milk chocolate and doesn't have added milk solids. And
because it's such a boldly flavorful treat, you can savor and enjoy it in small portions. We used
eating chocolates, not baking chocolates, in these recipes.
Chocolate's Good Stuff:
- A typical dark chocolate bar contains significantly fewer calories and carbs than milk
chocolate.
- Although it contains saturated fat that's believed to increase LDL, or "bad," cholesterol,
new studies reveal that dark chocolate doesn't raise LDL levels. Its high stearic acid content is
actually thought to lower serum cholesterol levels.
- Dark chocolate contains magnesium, known to regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of
heart disease. Magnesium also helps to metabolize the sugar in the chocolate--a good double
whammy.
- Cacao beans (which chocolate is made from) have the highest levels of antioxidants of any
known plant source. Antioxidants suppress free radicals, which can damage healthy cells in your
body. Dark chocolate has the highest level of cacao solids of any chocolate, making it the
healthiest, disease-fighting chocolate choice.
Kitchen Assistant Recommended Search:
This article is from the February 2005 issue of Southern Living.
