Chocolate is derived from the cocoa bean, which is a vegetable.To go even further, chocolate bars also have milk in them which is a dairy product. So, candy bars are healthy for you.
Chocolate covered cherries, orange slices, raisins and strawberries are fruit so you can have as many as you like.
Hints for keeping chocolate at it's best:
* Keep chocolate in a cool, dry place. Store where the temperature is around 65 degrees and about 50% humidity.
* Do not store near heat or direct sunlight. Light will fade the color and the heat will cause melting and tackiness.
* Chocolate may be frozen for up to six months. It should be wrapped in double airtight sealed freezer bags. When thawing, keep the chocolate in the bags until at room temperature. This will keep condensation from forming on the chocolate.
* Chocolate and moisture don't mix. High humidity or moisture can cause a white haze or spots. This is called "moisture bloom". It doesn't look as good, but will still taste the same.
* Chocolate absorbs other flavors and odors. Do not store near chemicals, cleaning solvents, perfumes and such.
* Solid chocolate not mixed with other ingredients has a shelf life of at least six to 12 months, depending on the storage conditions. When mixed with other things like nuts or cream, shelf life is reduced.
Other chocolate tips:
> Use a serrated knife to chop chocolate finely ~ a chef's knife will dull quickly on chocolate.
> Chopping will promote even melting for sauces, frostings or garnishments.
> To prevent chocolate from becoming grainy or seizing in the microwave, combine chocolate with butter in a recipe, if possible. Melt at 50% power at 30 second intervals, stirring in between heating until smooth.
> Perfectly melted chocolate should look smooth and shiny. If mixing with butter, milk or cream it should be completely blended.
> Grainy or separation is an indication that chocolate has seized. Usually as a result of it being overheated or water got into it. Add butter or water, one tbsp. at a time and it can be whisked into a smooth batch of chocolate.
> Bricks or large pieces of chocolate are best for curls. The chocolate must be at the right temperature. You can heat the chocolate in the microwave at 30% power for 30 seconds to a minute. Use a vegetable peeler along the chocolate gently applying pressure.
And now a couple recipes using chocolate:
Peanuty Chocolate Cake
Makes 12 servings
1 pkg (18 oz) devil's food cake mix
1 container (16 oz) sour cream
3 eggs
10 peanut butter cup candies
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. peanuts, chopped
USE a fluted stoneware pan, lightly greased.
IN a small batter bowl, combine sour cream and eggs, whisk until smooth. Put cake mix in a larger batter bowl. Add sour cream mixture to cake mix and stir until smooth.
PUT 12 scoops of batter into bottom of pan and spread evenly.
ARRANGE peanut butter cups in a circular pattern over batter. Add remaining batter, spreading evenly.
MICROWAVE on HIGH for 11-14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
MOVE to a cooling rack and let stand for 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan and invert onto a platter.
PLACE peanut butter in a microwave safe dish and cook on HIGH for 30 seconds or until melted, stir until smooth. Pour evenly over cake, letting it drip down the sides.
PLACE chocolate morsels and oil in same dish and microwave oh HIGH for 20-40 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle evenly over peanut butter topping.
COARSELY chop the peanuts and sprinkle over cake.
To bake in a conventional oven, preheat to 350 degrees. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
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Molten Chocolate Skillet Brownie
Makes 16 servings
1 pkg (20 oz) fudge brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
1 bar (4 oz) bittersweet chocolate
2 cups water
1 jar (12 oz) chocolate fudge ice cream topping
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
powdered sugar
vanilla ice cream or thawed, frozen whipped topping (optional)
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray the bottom of a 12 inch skillet.
IN a large batter bowl, prepare brownie mix according to directions for cake-like brownies. Spread batter over bottom of skillet.
CUT chocolate into small pieces and sprinkle evenly over batter.
COMBINE water and ice cream (or topping) into a large microwave safe bowl. Whisk until well blended. Cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is at a full boil. Whisk again until blended, add vanilla. Carefully pour over brownie batter in a circular pattern.
BAKE uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until sauce is bubbling around edges. The top of the brownie should appear saucy, but it will thicken as it cools. Remove skillet to a cooling rack.
Coarsely chop almonds and sprinkle evenly over brownie. Lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar.
SERVE with ice cream or whipped topping.
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Tuxedo Brownie Squares
1 pkg (21 oz) brownie mix
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened.
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam*
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups fresh raspberries, or frozen whole without syrup, thawed and drained*
1/4 cup milk
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping
3 squares (1 oz each) white chocolate
1 square (1 oz) dark chocolate
*Raspberry jam and whole raspberries can be replaced with one can of cherry pie filling
PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 pan. Prepare and bake brownie mix according to package directions. Cool completely.
SPREAD jam (or pie filling) onto brownie. Reserve 1/2 cup for garnish. Arrange remaining 1 1/2 cups evenly over jam.
IN a microwave safe dish, microwave chocolate on HIGH for 1 minute, stir. Melt an additional 30 seconds or until chocolate is completely melted, cool slightly.
COMBINE cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl, mix well. Gradually mix in melted chocolate and milk. Fold in whipped topping and spread carefully over raspberries.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Cut into squares. Garnish with reserved raspberries and chocolate curls if desired. Store in refrigerator.
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