1000 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT
 (203) 562-3888
 

"A Vegetarian Restaurant Since 1975" 

We are thrilled and honored to announce our inclusion in the following exclusive publications:
● Best Restaurants in New England ●The Michelin Green Guide to New England
● September issue of Yankee Magazine ●Connecticut Magazine Best of winner in two categories
● Of course, we have our splendid staff and our loyal customers to thank for our continued success. We are forever grateful to you all.

(c) 2005-6 Claire Criscuolo, RN

When you think of Valentine's Day, Think chocolate - And That's a Good Thing.

 

So on this Valentine's Day, I'll be telling my sweetheart to "Make sure you eat your Fruits and Vegetables - and your Dark Chocolate, too."
No, you're not dreaming, because eating a little piece of dark chocolate each day fits into a diet for good health, because researchers have determined that cocoa beans contain the same antioxidants, plant phenols called flavonoids, that are found in red wine, the other "Can you believe I'm drinking this for my health?" discovery. These compounds found in plants help to lower the blood pressure and scientists say the darker the better. Now, they're not giving us the license to eat a bar at a time, and certainly not instead of a diet that consists mainly of fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains, along with low-fat dairy, fish, and lean (soy) meats, but rather include a 1.5 ounce piece of dark chocolate along with your healthful diet.

 
Of course you can nibble on a piece of dark chocolate, especially on Valentine's Day, but I think it's more fun to include it in cooking and baking. Today, I'm sharing with you a favorite recipe of mine, Cincinnati Chile. It's a chile made using black beans, simmered with carrots and onions, combined with an interesting and flavorful mole that is a blend of charred onions, plantain, tomatoes, and garlic, sesame seeds, corn tortillas, and dark chocolate, first blended to a rough paste, then stirred into the beans.
 
Then there is a  recipe for Dark Chocolate Dipped, Walnut Coated Apricots, which pairs Vitamin A, fiber,  and iron rich dried apricots with walnuts for another antioxidant boost, dipped in more antioxidant rich dark chocolate. This is pure pleasure with health benefits to boot. What a delicious way to show your love for that special someone.
 
And, you can bake a Dark Chocolate - Almond Cake with Rich Dark Chocolate Espresso Glaze for the entire office and remind them that while it looks like a pure indulgence, there is the redeeming health value from dark chocolate, along with almonds and soy, two more heart healthy foods. Again, don't down a huge slice because it is still a decadent dessert and also it contains plenty of calorie rich sugar. But it's for Valentine's Day and chocolate is a must.
  
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Copyright © 2004 Claires Corner Copia | Last modified: March 03, 2004