Valentine's Day - Chocolate Treat

For those of you who know me...you  know chocolate is one of my great loves!! With Valentine's Day around the corner, thought this would be a great time to revisit the health benefits of chocolate. In small amounts (about an ounce each day) dark chocolate contains antioxidants and also helps to lower blood pressure, see old post for more info. http://divanutrition.blogspot.com/2012/08/chocolateoh-so-yummy-chocolate.html

Valentines Day is the perfect time to enjoy dark chocolate plain or dark chocolate covered almonds or other nuts. You can also treat yourself to a very rich chocolate dessert and enjoy a small portion. My favorite decadent dessert is chocolate mousse. It is so rich, you really can't eat more than a small serving so it is the perfect treat once in a while. Here is the recipe:

1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream - divided
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp vanilla

In a glass bowl, mix 1/2 cup whipping cream and chocolate chips. Microwave chocolate mixture on medium for 1-2+ minutes, stirring every 1 minute, until just melted. Stir in vanilla. Set aside. Using a mixer, mix 1 cup of whipping cream and powdered sugar, whip on high until soft peaks form. Gently mix 1/3 of the whipped cream into the melted chocolate. Then gently FOLD the chocolate mixture into the remaining whipped cream. Gently place mousse into serving dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

Whipped cream usually is packaged in pints, so you will have 1/2 cup left. You can whip this with one tablespoon of powdered sugar for a whipped cream garnish. This dessert is also great with strawberries.

Enjoy!!