Superfood Chocolate Slab

On special occasions, when we want to treat our loved ones (or ourselves) to something indulgent and delicious it’s easy to resort to highly processed high sugar and high fat foods. Come Valentine’s Day and you’ll find chocolates and alcohol, later in the year Easter eggs and, of course, all the Halloween sweets. In life, there’s definitely space for some indulgence - that’s the true essence of balance after all - however I’m a firm believer that love, whether for others or yourself involves a healthy dose of (self-)care.

When we love someone (and that accounts for ourselves too!), we want to see them healthy, thriving and living their best lives. So, I would we gift/cook them something that, with repetition, might have a detrimental effect on their health, longevity and wellbeing? Today I’d like to invite you to break tradition and merge pleasure with goodness. To consider that we can cook something delicious that also happens to be good for our bodies and satisfying for the soul.

This chocolate slab is packed with nutrients and antioxidants without compromising on flavour. It comes together in minutes, keeps really well in the fridge and can be customised to your taste and what you have at hand.

• Ingredients

  • 200g dark chocolate (80% minimum), preferably vegan and refined-sugar free

  • 1tbsp coconut oil, level

  • your favourite toppings - I’ve used:

    • dried apricots, chopped pistachios and a pinch ground cardamom seeds

    • orange peel and chopped almonds

    • peanut butter, dried cranberries and goji berries

• Method

  1. Chop the chocolate in small pieces, add the coconut oil and melt in a heatproof bowl over boiling water (not letting the water touch the bowl) or in the microwave (short periods at a time and stirring in between to avoid burning). Stir well until you have a glossy chocolate sauce.

  2. Line a 20x20cm cake tin with greaseproof paper and pour in the melted chocolate. Give it a gentle shake so the chocolate is evenly distributed.

  3. Top with your choice of toppings. You can use the same toppings all over or create different combinations in the same tin.

  4. Leave in the fridge for at least an hour. Remove from the tin. Chop in pieces using a sharp knife and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your recreations.