Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Clusters

This past Valentine’s Day was spent making…

Wait for it! You’ll never guess what.

Making desserts, of course!

You know me too well by now. I recommend, however, getting to know this incredibly easy recipe for chocolate-covered pomegranate candies. Normally melting chocolate and waiting for it to harden is a cooking task I avoid. I don’t like the mess and the fast-moving pace of melted chocolate, but this one is so easy. It’s almost too good to be true. 

Ingredients

1 cup pomegranate arils

6 oz. dark chocolate

Directions

Lay a dry paper towel across a ceramic plate (light-colored plastic ones may stain due to the dark color of the pomegranate juice). Spread arils across this and let them “dry off” for an hour or so.

Once they’re dry enough–and let them be as dry as possible because moisture causes chocolate to seize, leading to ugly candies, uglier messes–start working on the chocolate.

To prepare the chocolate, you can try a double-broiler technique. I’m always in a hurry, though, so what I did was break the chocolate into smaller pieces.

Microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Stir. Microwave another 15-20 seconds. You’ll know the chocolate is melted enough when there are a few chunks left that can be stirred out. This is a good consistency to achieve since chocolate that melts entirely in the microwave may start to burn.

Now you have to move fast! In the chocolate bowl, gently fold in arils until mostly covered. Take a spoon and begin scooping them out in clusters and transferring to a wax-paper-covered cookie sheet. When all the arils have been scooped out. I recommend transferring them to the freezer for about fifteen minutes.

I like them served chilled, but gnosh on this dripping-in-chocolate delicious fruit candy however you please.

 

Sweetheart Strawberry Pastry Pie

Have someone you love? Want to make them something special this Valentine’s Day?

That’s very nice. And while you do that, make something sweet for yourself, like this delicious sweetheart pastry.

To make one big heart pastry, simply follow my beloved healthy pastry dough recipe. But of course, form into two heart shapes. Top one with filling (1 medium-sized strawberry, chopped and blended with 1 t cream cheese frosting or 1 t organic vanilla yogurt). Lay the second heart over the top and press the edges closed with a fork.

Delicious is that easy. It only takes a few minutes, and it tastes so much better than anything you’d buy from the grocery store. Homemade baked goods always taste better.

Recipe For Pastry Dough:

• 1 T + 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 t baking stevia
• pinch of salt
• 2 t plain Chobani Greek Yogurt
• 1.5 t vegan butter, diced at refrigerator temp.
• 1.5  T non-dairy milk

Directions:

1. In a mixer combine flours, Stevia, and salt.
2. Slowly add in milk and Chobani
3. Beat in butter until thick. (You may have to add more flour if your butter is warm)
4. Roll up dough and wrap it with plastic wrap.
5. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.
6. After all the fillings are prepared take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll out into a thin crust. Cut into 2x2in squares. Before you stack the dough make sure to sprinkle with flour to prevent sticking.
7. Lay a sheet of wax paper onto a baking sheet and spray with Pam. Lay twelve of the dough sheets onto the pan. Add the fillings on top.
8. Take the tips of the fork and press down the edges. Working with this dough is kind of like working with clay. The score marks will help the sides stick.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes. Remove when the pastries are golden brown.

Related articles

• Healthy PopTarts (collegiateculinaire.wordpress.com)