Valentine's Day decadence

Here is an easily-put together dessert that is as healthy as it is supremely satisfying.  Best of both worlds, don't you think?

Oh, and I neglected to add a final optional step!  If you're feeling extra fancy, melt a tad more chocolate (say, a darker brown or white) to drizzle over the tops of the chilled/already-dipped strawberries.  They will look like this (don't click unless you can handle all the chocolate-y goodness -- I'm on overload right now!).

Now, I am a devoted brown chocolate lover (the darker, the better, in my book), but if white chocolate's your thing...

For similar Valentine's-themed recipes, have a look at these for inspiration:

♥ Bon Appétit's Valentine's Featurette

♥ Epicurious' Valentine's Menu

♥ Food Network's Valentine's Featurette

♥ How adorable are Jamie Oliver and his wife, Jools?

(GF scrumptiousness below, but check these out even if you're not avoiding gluten)

♥  Elana's Pantry Gluten Free Valentine's Day Desserts 

♥  Ginger Lemon Girl's Gluten Free Valentine's Day Recipes 

♥ Gluten Freeda's Valentine's Desserts 

In other news (though it ties in with the recipe above), I recently concocted a Mexican hot chocolate drink (which undoubtedly needs perfecting, so if you have any tips or happen to be from down South...).  Can you imagine my delight when I came across Sippity Sup's Chile Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries?  That's right, amigos... CHILES.  This spicy twist just may have awakened a dangerous trend in my kitchen (and my heart)...

Homemade is the best

Since I'm slowly easing back into solid foods after finishing the Master Cleanse this week, I wanted to share a couple of recipes that I'll be using soon.

Image credit: Flickr user MPG

First off, homemade Hummus!  (CAUTION: this stuff is really yummy, but very potent; so, if you're not a fan of garlic, you will probably want to half the amount called for, or use a light sprinkling of garlic powder instead.)

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups Garbanzo Beans/Chick Peas
• 2-3 Garlic cloves
• 2 T. (or more) Parsley
• 2 T. Lemon Juice
• 1/4 cup Water
• 2 T. Cayenne Pepper
• Salt & Pepper
• 2-4 T. EVOO (Extra-Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1/4 cup Tahini (Sesame paste)

Directions:

 
Mix all of the ingredients except the last two in a food processor or blender until smooth.  While pulsing the blender, pour in the tahini and olive oil.  If you like yours thicker (like me), use less olive oil.  If you prefer it thinner, just add more liquid.

Suggestions: I love sprinkling a handful of pine nuts over my hummus, but it's been so expensive lately that I've had to forgo the now-luxury.
 
Play around with this recipe until you get it just the way you like it.  Feel free to add other spices, such as coriander, cumin, paprika, and turmeric.  Some fun ideas for what to do with Hummus are:

• Use as a sandwich/bread spread (mayonnaise/mustard alternative)
• Vegetable dip
• Sour cream/Yogurt alternative (topping)
• Salad dressing alternative

Speaking of salad dressing, here is a basic vinaigrette for you (that is not only easy to whip up, but a staple in my house):

Ingredients:

• 3 T. Vegetable/Canola oil (feel free to use another kind of oil; we usually sub olive oil)
• 2 T. Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 T. Maggi (warning: not gluten-free, so you'll need an alternative if you eat GF)
• 1 Garlic clove
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients well; I like to shake them up in a mason jar.  This dressing separates pretty quickly, so stir or shake it right before using.

Suggestions: A couple tablespoons of Dijon Mustard makes a great addition!

Image credit: Flickr user Mariannika

Stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables has been on my mind lately (it's funny what your brain thinks of when you're only consuming liquids), and FitSugar happened to have some handy tips on how to store them for longevity's sake.

Confession:  I have to open the fridge to take out my daily drink ingredients, and the first item my eyes fall on is a carton of the juiciest-looking strawberries.  All I know is how much I am going to savour those in a couple more days!