Nutrient Dense Chocolate Recipes as seen on CTV Morning Live Ottawa

Celebrate Valentine’s Day, Family Day (or any day!!) – with decadent and nutrient dense chocolate recipes. In true ‘Char Fashion’ all recipes use pantry staple items and whip up in little time.

Chocolate Orange & Cherry Muesli

This nutrient dense recipe makes for a quick, satisfying and budget friendly breakfast (or after-school snack) the whole family can enjoy. Grab the kids, roll up your sleeves and whip up this simple dish together. No doubt this muesli will be your new go-to family favourite!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 mL) large flake oats
• ½ cup (125 mL) dried cherries (or other dried fruit)
• ¼ (60 mL) quality cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) each of green pumpkin seeds and shelled sunflower seeds
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) each of ground flaxseed, chia seeds and hemp seeds
• 1 cup (250 mL) plain Greek style yogurt (I like full-fat)
• ¾ cup (175 mL) milk (I use almond milk, but cows milk can be use – orange juice can also be substituted)
• finely grated zest of one orange
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) Crosby’s Maple + Molasses (click here for product info)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
• 2 small Ontario apples; well washed, cored and grated (or finely diced) *leave skin on for added fibre

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
2. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Stir well before serving.
3. Makes 4 cups (1 L).

Delicious & Doable Tips:

• Use raisins, sliced dried apricots, or dried cranberries instead of dried cherries
• For more of a chocolaty boost add ¼ cup (60 mL) finely chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips to mixture before stirring.

Coconut Mocha Energy Truffles

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these good-for-you and easy to prepare bites. Perfect for a post workout nibble, or 3 p.m. at-your-desk snack.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) each; flaked sweetened coconut, almonds and dark chocolate chips (*at least 70% chocolate)
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) large flake rolled oats
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) each; chia seeds and hemp seeds
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) Crosby’s Blackstrap Molasses (click here for product info)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) finely ground coffee
• 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (2 mL) pure coconut extract
• ½ tsp (2 mL) salt

Garnish

• approx ½ cup (125 mL) shredded coconut

Directions

1. Place coconut, almonds, chocolate and oats in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until mixture is very well combined (scrape down sides of bowl when needed) and begins to clump together.
3. Roll mixture evenly into balls – just a bit smaller than a golf ball (should yield approx 16 ‘truffles’).
4. Roll each truffle in shredded coconut to lightly coat (you may need to use your hands to press the coconut onto the balls, so it stays put).
5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
6. Makes 16 truffles.

Chocolate Tahini Hummus

Plant protein based chocolate dip? Yes, please!! If you need an excuse to dip some fruit – this chocolate tahini hummus will be your new chocolatey staple.

Ingredients

• 1 (540 mL/19 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (and patted dry)
• ½ cup (125 mL) tahini
• ½ cup (125 mL) cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) dark chocolate chips (or finely chopped dark chocolate)
• ¼ cup (60 mL) Crosby’s Maple + Molasses (click here for product info)
• 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk (I use plant based (almond) milk – but cows milk if fine)

Garnish:

• dark chocolate chips, toasted sesame seeds, drizzle of Crosby’s Maple + Molasses and coarse salt.

Directions

1. Place chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped (scrape down sides of bowl when needed).
2. Add remaining ingredients (except for milk) and pulse until very well combined and mixture is smooth (will likely take about 6 good pulses) – be sure to scrape down slides of bowl when needed.
3. With the motor running, pour in milk and pulse until very well combined.
4. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving.
5. Place in serving dish. Garnish top with a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips, toasted sesame seeds, drizzle of Maple + Molasses and sprinkle of salt.
6. Serve with fresh fruit (strawberries, apple & pear slices), pretzels and/or Graham cookies.

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon (click here) or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury