Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate Fondue Recipes

chocolate-fondue

Now it’s true that when you add milk to dark chocolate, you kind of negate the antioxidant effects. Since most fondue recipes are made with heavy cream, I don’t know if I’d say that a chocolate fondue recipe is “healthy” per se, but I will say that you are allowed 10% pleasure foods in one week and a chocolate fondue is all about pleasure.

Now you also have to keep in mind that there are very few ingredients in a chocolate fondue and the fun is to actually play around with the fruit and other dipping foods. Therefore you have a really great quality dessert that is delicious, quick and a great bounding experience.

Now since you are able to add quite a lot of fruits to the chocolate fondue, I think that a little indulgence once in a while is permitted.

Chocolate Fondue Fountains are so popular and so decadent. I mean you just want to stick your head and drink as much of that chocolate goodness as possible. I’m not usually drawn to chocolate, but when I see a chocolate fountain at an event or wedding, I go as crazy as everyone else.

Chocolate brings out the kid in all of us and chocolate fondue is a messy and fun experience.

It is so pretty and elegant and so dead simple to make. If you are looking for a dessert that screams “celebration” but you don’t have the time or budget to do something more elaborate, a chocolate fondue recipe can be your best friend.

1) Simple chocolate fondue recipe

I’m using one of Martha Stewart’s basic chocolate fondue recipe from the Martha Stewart Weddings Web site to start off with:

Martha Stewart’s Chocolate Fondue recipe

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

Makes 1 quart.

1 pound bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (you can choose milk or white chocolate if you’d like)

2 cups heavy cream

>>>PREPARATION<<<

Combine chocolate and cream in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Using a wooden spoon, stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Divide among 8 small bowls or ramekins; serve immediately with accompaniments.

>>>Serving suggestions from Martha Stewart<<<

We served marshmallows, pieces of crystallized ginger, dried figs, plums, and apricots with our fondue. Other dried fruits, such as pineapple or cherries, as well as nuts, madeleines, chunks of fresh fruit, and even small brownie squares would also be delicious with the sauce.

If you just want to keep everything fairly plain and simple, you can stop at Martha’s basic chocolate fondue recipe, but if you are looking to really create a memorable event, I think Green & Black’s fondue recipes will dazzle!

There is nothing plain or ordinary about these recipes!

Krizia’s point of view: You’ll see that all of these recipes have two preparation methods: 1) using a conventional stove top and 2) using of the microwave. As you know, I don’t use a microwave and never have had one in my home so I will stick to the old fashioned way, but if anyone tries both methods, it would be great to find out if there is a different in taste or consistency.

If you’ve missed my posts on the topic of microwave ovens, you can catch them here:

1) Is it dangerous to microwave your food?

2) 10 reasons to get rid of your microwave!

I would use a bain-marie to melt my chocolate. A bain-marie is a French cooking term for the use of two pans to melt food. You basically put water in one pan and then put the chocolate in a smaller pan that fits into the pan that has water and you bring the water to boil and that melts the chocolate!

Here’s a great photo from Wikipedia that shows the bain-marie at work:

2) Green & Black’s fondue ideas

Green & Black’s Organic chocolate can help you make your next fondue party recipes extremely successful! Remember that if you play around with some flavours you’ll end up with a fantastic party!

1. Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chili-Infused Fondue

Add spice to your holiday entertaining with Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chili-Infused Fondue. This recipe will make every dark chocolate lover melt!

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Dark 70% bar

½ cup – 35% cream

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons – Water

2 – Dried, chopped red chilies

>>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the cream and water.

2. Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

3. Add red chilies and stir.

4. If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

5. Serve in a small bowl with desired fruit and nuts.

6. If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the cream and water.

2. Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

3. Do this until blended and warm.

Suggested dipping foods: Caramelized banana slices, cherries, apple slices, pastry squares and chips.

Serves 2-3

The recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

2. Green & Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate Mocha Fondue

For the coffee connoisseur, Green & Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate Mocha Fondue combines a shot of espresso with the finest organic milk chocolate.

Green & Black's Milk Chocolate Mocha Fondue

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Milk chocolate bar

1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon – Espresso or strong coffee

>>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the espresso.

2. Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

3. If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

4. Serve in a small bowl with desired fruit and nuts.

5. If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the espresso.

2. Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

3. Do this until blended and warm.

Suggested dipping foods: Biscotti, pineapple, strawberries and almond macaroons.

Serves 2-3

The recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

3. Green & Black’s Organic Maya Marmalade

Green & Black's Maya Marmalade Fondue

The gold standard for the festive season comes in the form of Green & Black’s Organic Maya Marmalade Fondue. Inspired by Green & Black’s Organic Fairtrade Maya Gold bar, this recipe includes orange marmalade, used to intensify the chocolate bar’s signature orange notes.

Photo: Green & Black’s Maya Marmalade Fondue

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Maya bar

1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon – Water

1 tbsp – Orange marmalade

>>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the water.

Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

Add orange marmalade and stir.

If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

Serve in a small bowl with desired fruit and nuts.

If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the water.

Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

Do this until blended and warm.

Tips for extra flavour: Add a splash of Grand Marnier, triple sec or Cointreau.

Suggested dipping foods: Pretzels, salty popcorn, apple slices, pear slices, shortbread and marshmallows.

Serves 2-3

The recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

4. Green & Black’s Organic Mint Fondue

Kissably fresh, Green & Black’s Organic Mint Fondue combines premium organic chocolate with fresh sprigs of mint – perfect for cozying up with your special someone in front of the fireplace. Just make sure the mistletoe is nearby!

Green & Black's Mint Fondued

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Mint bar

1/8 cup plus one tablespoon – Water

6 – Fresh mint leaves chopped

>>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the water.

2. Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

3. Add the mint leaves and let infuse for 5 minutes before serving.

4. If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

5. Serve in a small bowl with desired fruit and nuts.

6 If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the water.

2. Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

3. Do this until blended and warm.

4. Add the mint leaves and let infuse 5 minutes. Microwave for 20 seconds more if mixture has cooled and thickened.

Suggested dipping foods: Dried apricots, dried apple slices, fig, brownies, cookies, water biscuits, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and pineapple.

Serves 2-3

The recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

5. Green & Black’s Organic Dark Ginger-Honey Fondue

Sure to sweeten your holidays, Green & Black’s Organic Dark Ginger-Honey Fondue is the perfect reason to indulge.

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Ginger bar

1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon – Water

1 tbsp – Honey

>>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the water.

2. Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

3. Add the honey and stir.

4. If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

5. Serve with desired fruit and nuts.

6. If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the water.

2. Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

3. Do this until blended and warm.

Suggested dipping foods: Candied ginger, banana slices, muffins, sourdough bread and angel food cake.

Serves 2-3

The recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

6. Green & Black’s Organic Amaretto-Almond Fondue

This delicious combination of milk chocolate, fine almond pieces and Amaretto will make your party guests go nuts for more.

Green & Black's Amaretto-Almond Fondue

>>>INGREDIENTS<<<

1 100g (3.5 oz) – Green & Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate and Almond bar

1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoon – Water

2 tablespoons (1 oz – Amaretto

>>STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a saucepan with the water.

2. Over low heat stir with a small wire whisk until ingredients are smooth and combined.

3. Add the amaretto and stir.

4. If the resulting sauce is too thick, add a few drops of water and whisk to blend.

5. Serve with desired fruit and nuts.

6. If fondue becomes cool and thick, microwave for 10 seconds and stir, repeat if necessary.

>>>MICROWAVE<<<

1. Break up the chocolate and put in a plastic bowl with the water.

2. Give the mixture of ingredients 10-20 second bursts in the microwave, whisking in between.

3. Do this until blended and warm.

Suggested dipping foods: Strawberries, peach slices, grapes and almonds.

Serves 2-3

Recipe can be easily multiplied to accommodate larger parties

3) What to serve with your fondue

Here are some great suggestions from Green and Black’s Organic Chocolate of foods you can use to dip.

1. Fruit

Among the most popular fruit choices to dip are strawberries, pears, peaches, grapes, pineapple, raspberries, cherries, blackberries, pears and apple. For a simple twist, you might want to try grilling and caramelizing banana slices.

Dried fruit such as apricots, pears and apple slices are also popular dipping foods for a chocolate fondue. Candied fruits such as orange peel, lemon peel, ginger and grapefruit peel provide a sweet dipping sensation.

2. Sweets

Sweet treats such as biscotti, cookies, muffins, brownies, pastry squares, almond macaroons, marshmallows, meringues, shortbread and angel food cake make great food options for dipping into your chocolate fondue.

fondue-biscotti

3. Savoury

Don’t hesitate to provide delicious savoury dipping options. Experiment with pretzels, chips, sourdough bread, water biscuits, salted popcorn and even blue cheese. Feel free to go nuts with almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans or peanuts.

Chocolate fondue dos

- Provide a range of foods for dipping

- Cut pastries and cakes into one inch squares for ease of dipping

- Make use of wooden/metal skewers to display dippables

- Use what you have! Household forks for dipping are a great alternative to traditional fondue forks

- Use your favourite holiday-motif bowls to add a festive flair

Chocolate fondue don’ts

- Don’t overheat as chocolate will easily burn

3) Display of Green & Black’s Organic chocolate

Top photo by 96dpi

Photo of walnuts by steffenz

All other photos by Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate

All recipes are courtesy of Green & Black’s chocolate!

>>>> If you’re viewing this healthy eating or healthy living tip as part of an aggregated content stream from different sites, or as a re-blogged post, please check out the content on the original Web site at www.EatSmartAgeSmart.com