“Good-for-you Fondue”
When it comes to a favorite food, I think the majority of women would agree with me when I say it would have to be chocolate! A 2007 BBC news article quotes Dr. David Lewis of the Mind Lab as saying, “Chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz”. Psychologist Sue Wright said “Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which can raise levels of endorphins, the pleasure-giving substances, in the brain”. And despite the perception (myself included) that women are the bigger fans of chocolate, the Mind Lab study also found that the effect was the same for both men and women! I don’t need to know the science of it, my mouth knows…I love chocolate. And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, despite what the study says, I’m hoping for both chocolate and kisses!
Fabulous with fresh fruit!
Chocolate fondue is a wonderful way to indulge in the rich velvety flavor of chocolate. However, the less-than-healthy ingredients that are found in many fondue recipes make it more of a food “don’t”. Large quantities of heavy cream or butter are often used, and many chocolate fountains require liquid vegetable oil to maintain the proper consistency for flowing. Rather than using a more processed and less healthy vegetable oil, coconut oil provides not only a silky consistency but also a creamy flavor, thus providing a vegan option for chocolate enjoyment. This simple recipe provides a wonderful indulgence that is sure to make your heart—and the heart of your lover—go pitter-pat! Try dipping your favorite fresh fruit, berries, cookies, or pretzels in chocolate, or drizzle it over a slice of cake. If you want to heat things up a little, add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper; or if you prefer, omit that for a more tame, rich, chocolate indulgence.
Good-For-You Fondue
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
10 minutes
Number of servings: 1
Per Serving 278 calories
Fat 23 g
Carbs 25 g
Protein 3 g
An easy, delicious, chocolate treat that is actually good for you thanks to coconut oil.
Ingredients
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and coconut oil until smooth.
Dissolve the coffee in the vanilla extract then blend into the honey mixture.
Add the remaining ingredients and serve with fresh fruit or other desired dippers.
NOTES:
You can use molasses or honey to sweeten this dish, though the honey eliminates the vegan status.
To learn more about the health benefits of coconut oil click here.
