In my world, chocolate is a health food. I readily admit that my world might be a very mixed up, strange place to be, but chocolate as health food is not as strange as it may sound. I once declared that if chocolate were off limits to me, life might no longer be worth living and even after a diagnosis of diabetes, I stand by that statement. Chocolate in its purest form, without additives and sugars and all the junk we see in most commercial varieties, is remarkably healthy. It’s low in carbohydrates (yippeee), high in fiber (double yippeee) and has protective benefits for heart health. Really, please tell me, if you are looking for a health food, what more could you possibly ask for??? Oh, you want it to taste good too? Well, with chocolate you are in luck.
When my dear Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic asked me to be a part of her Heart Healthy Event, I couldn’t say no. First of all, she is a fellow Canuck. Second of all, she is sweet as pie, and you just want to be on her side of everything. And finally, sweet Kim lost her mother to heart disease when Kim was only 15. As a mother of three, this breaks my heart. Today is the anniversary of her mother’s passing and she asked bloggers to join her in raising awareness of the devastation of heart disease. From Kim and her fellow organizer, Jen of Juanita’s Cocina:
Today we are joining together to help raise awareness for Heart Disease. Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic lost her Mom to heart disease when her mother was 47, and Kim was 15. Each year on the day her Mom passed she shares stories and photos of her Mom. This year she joined forces with Jen of Juanita’s Cocina, whose life was also touched by heart disease when her Stepfather had a heart attack. Jen’s Stepfather is alive and well more than a decade later, and for that, Jen is thankful every day. The ladies got in touch with other bloggers to ask them to share their own stories about how heart disease has touched their lives. So today we share stories and recipes from our hearts to yours, in memory and honour of Momzie, Kim’s Mom. We hope you will share your stories with us today as well.
I am supposed to share a story with you about how heart disease has touched my life. I suppose I am very fortunate to say that heart disease has not touched the lives of my immediate family and friends. But it did rob me of a grandfather I would have liked to have met, who died before I was born. I suppose that is impact enough.
So for my grandfather, George, for Kim’s Momzie, and for Jen’s stepfather who has struggled and survived, I created a delicious but healthful treat which uses heart healthy ingredients to their best advantage. Health food that doesn’t taste like health food, but tastes like a sweet indulgence. And this was the first time my kids willingly ate walnuts! No sugars, no additives, nothing but pure healthy ingredients to that make you love the taste while knowing they are good for your body. Especially your heart. Take care of that heart and of the hearts of those you love.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shelled walnuts
- 4 oz unsweetened chocolate chopped
- ¼ cup powdered Swerve Sweetener or powdered erythritol
- 3 tablespoon walnut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.
- Over low heat, combine chocolate, powdered Swerve, and walnut oil. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Stir in vanilla extract and cocoa powder until smooth.
- Let cool 5 minutes to thicken.
- Stir in half of walnuts and then lift each walnut out with a fork, gently tapping on the side to remove excess coating.
- Place each walnut on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining walnuts.
- Place cookie sheet in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- If coating is starting to thicken too much, reheat over low heat gently until a little more liquidy (should be the consistency of pourable syrup).
- Working with a few walnuts at a time, re-coat by dropping into the chocolate coating again and lifting out with a fork, tapping on the side to remove excess.
- Place on baking sheet and chill in freezer until firm.
- Can be stored on counter in an airtight container. Use within a few days.
Notes
More Delicious Heart-Healthy Recipes:
Spicy Oven Fries by Cravings of a Lunatic
Healthy Snacking with Radish Dip by Juanita’s Cocina
Arugula, Walnut Pesto by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Farro, Apple & Pecan Salad by It’s Yummi
Chicken-Quinoa Burgers with an Avocado Yogurt Sauce by The Spiffy Cookie
Pasta House Wilted Salad by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
Gooey Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Bars by The Cooking Actress
Dark Chocolate Covered Walnuts by All Day I Dream About Food
Mini Pear Walnut Crisps with Blood Orange Caramel Sauce by Chocolate Moosey
Kung Pao Chicken Tacos by The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
Honey Soy Glazed Salmon by Curry and Comfort
Apple Walnut Spinach Salad by Magnolia Days
Broiled Salmon Gyros with Cucumber Feta Yogurt Dip by Damn Delicious
Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Make-Ahead Chocolate Oatmeal by Crumb
Hoisin Flounder by Taking on Magazines
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Veggie Nachos by Dine & Dish
Cheesy Quinoa and Asparagus Bake by Hungry Couple
Ahi Tuna Salad by Noshing with the Nolands
Canapes of Apricot, Goat Cheese, Almonds and Rosemary by Cook the Story
Thai Chicken Soup by From Cupcakes to Caviar
Italian Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf by Rachel Cooks
Black Bean Quesadillas by Pastry Chef Online
Sautéed Rataouille with Quinoa by Whipped
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
I agree, a life without chocolate is not a life worth living! These are definitely a healthy treat, and they sound wonderful!
Kristen says
This is the kind of treat I would want to keep to myself, but would feel guilty for not sharing something healthy with the family. As always, you came up with a winner!
jo says
I’m having this for dinner tonight…
Susan says
In every world chocolate is a health food. 🙂 You cannot go wrong with this pairing!
Jenni says
I really like the use of walnut oil to make a coating chocolate and to reinforce the walnuty goodness!
It is a very good thing that chocolate has so many health benefits. Makes it much easier to justify eating it! =)
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Chocolate and walnuts together sounds fantastic. I love that healthy food is so delicious!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Cute little helper 🙂
A simple, delicious, chocolaty and nutritious snack!
Liz says
I love health food that doesn’t taste like health food…and your walnuts look terrific! And what a handsome young man you have as your sous chef!
RavieNomNoms says
What a cool event! These look super tasty!
Christine (Cook the Story) says
It’s amazing that chocolate is so good for us and yet we think of it as bad. Sometimes it seems to me that we don’t really have a clue what is healthy and what isn’t. These look delicious, really really delicious. I’m really enjoying reading all our #RecipesFromTheHeart stories and recipes. What a great group of stories and recipes everyone has shared!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
What a fabulous treat…and healthy too! I know my wife would go crazy for these! And I just so happen to have some walnuts in the fridge that need to get eaten!
Thank you so much for participating with us!
pablo says
yummy
Jessica | Oh Cake says
These sound great! I love walnuts and dark chocolate – yum!
I also love the t-shirt your helper is wearing. Go Sox! 🙂
Kim Bee says
Okay you totally made me cry. Thank you so much for your kind words Carolyn. It means so much to me to have you join us. I love that you did such an amazing chocolate dish. I think people think healthy is boring but who wouldn’t want a snack like this. It’s spectacular and I honestly just want to grab one or three through my screen. I’m so pleased you did this with us. And I am lucky to count you among my friends. xx
Jeanette says
What a beautiful way to remember those loved ones we’ve lost to heart disease and to raise awareness Carolyn. These chocolate covered walnuts are such a heart-healthy snack – thanks for sharing this.
Kate@Diethood says
Best.Snack. Everrrrr. YUM!
Cookin Canuck says
We always have walnuts and chocolate on hand, but have never thought to put them together. That must change!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
What a great little snack/treat idea. This would certainly satisfy a sweet craving! (LOVE the little helper shot–so cute!)
Brenda @Sugar-Free Mom says
HOLY YUM!!!! LOVE this idea! WANT SOME NOW and it’s not even 9 in the am!! You rock Carolyn!
jane g says
These look really yummy and I will definitely try this recipe. Shouldn’t the total nutrition actually be for 1/4 cup rather than a cup though?
Carolyn says
That’s supposed to say “each serving”! Thanks for catching that.