With all my hearts

A gift of dark chocolate on Valentine’s Day may give your sweetheart a healthy heart. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat found in olive oil, makes up one-third of fat in dark chocolate. Eating food with oleic acid as part of a healthful eating plan has been shown to be beneficial for heart health. There are certain antioxidants in chocolate, which may help to prevent cholesterol from sticking to artery walls, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Chocolate also contains flavoniods, the same compounds found in red wine and tea, which are currently being studied for their potential health benefits. The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants and flavonoids it contains. When tasting dark chocolate, stay in your mouth for a few seconds to release its primary flavors and aromas. Then chew it a few times to release the secondary aromas. Let it rest lightly against the roof of your month as you experience the full range of flavors. Finally enjoy the remaining taste in your mouth. Don’t forget the amount of chocolate you eat can make a difference in your calories intake, so enjoy it in moderation.

This Valentine’s Day try the Dark Chocolate Coated Strawberry to surprise your sweetie something from your heart.

Dark Chocolate Coated Strawberry (20 servings)

Ingredients
6 ounces dark chocolate

3 tablespoons half & half cream

1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter

20 large strawberries

Directions
In a microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate and cream, heat in the microwave on high 1½ to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
Add butter and stir until melted and mixture is smooth.
Holding berries by stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem.
Transfer the coated strawberries on the waxed paper and repeat process.
Allow the chocolate to cool and then chill the strawberries until chocolate is set.
Each Dark Chocolate Coated Strawberry: 56 kcal; 3g fat; 1.9g saturated fat; cholesterol 2 milligram; Vitamin C 14 milligram.