Calling all chocolate lovers! We have the perfect Valentine’s dessert for you and it just so happens to be healthy, decadent and loaded with antioxidants. Finally, a Valentine treat we can actually feel good about.
Inspired by our editor, I created this beautiful bark last week in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Just because we operate a health and diet website doesn’t mean we don’t crave chocolate once in a while (or every day).
The entire time I was prepping the ingredients I couldn’t wait to take a sample bite of the finished product. The luscious dark chocolate, the salty pistachios and the sweet, crisp pomegranates were sure to be a stellar flavor combination. Sure enough, my suspicions were right.
This bark is pure bliss. Intense dark chocolate envelops pomegranate arils and crunchy, savory pistachios and each bite is better than the last.
The health benefits are impressive, too. Dark chocolate boasts cell-protecting antioxidants and has been found to help reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow. Pomegranates are loaded with vitamins C and B5, as well as potassium, fiber and multiple kinds of polyphenols. And pistachios provide protein, healthy fats, vitamins A and E, and have been found to help lower cholesterol and fight inflammation. Now those are some benefits even the least health conscious Valentine on your list can appreciate.
The best part about this recipe? It’s a cinch to throw together. Simply melt your chocolate, spread it onto a flat tray or parchment-lined surface and then sprinkle on your toppings. I felt like a topping fairy throwing the pomegranate arils and crushed pistachios on top of the melted chocolate. And I’ll feel like a health fairy when I pass this treat around to all my friends. We hope you do the same this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!
Pomegranate Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark
yields ~16 servings
Ingredients
10 ounces of quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cacao), chopped if in bar form
1/3 cup pomegranate arils
1/3 cup salted or unsalted pistachios, chopped
Method
1. Melt chocolate over a double boiler by placing a large bowl over a small sauce pan filled with 1 inch of water. The bowl should not be touching the water. Bring the water to between a low boil and simmer and then place the chocolate in the bowl. Let set until it begins to melt and then stir every couple minutes until it’s fully melted.
2. Immediately pour the chocolate onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread into a rectangle with a spoon. Then top with pomegranate arils and pistachios, making sure you sprinkle them on as evenly as possible.
3. Transfer the bark to the freezer to chill for 5-10 minutes. Then remove, break into about 16 pieces and store in an airtight container in the fridge until serving.
Estimated nutrition: Yields 16 pieces; per piece: 116 calories, 6 g fat, 3.8 g saturated fat, 4 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 2 g protein
Estimated total cost: $8.50
Estimated cost per serving: $0.53
Like this recipe? Share it! Pin this recipe!
Also Read:
How to Have Better Sex by Valentine’s Day – Our Experts Tell You How
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pancakes Will Wake Up Your Weekend
6 Chocolate and Fruit Desserts
recipe by Brandi Koskie; photos by Dana Shultz
Hello,
I was curious to know for hoe long can these (Pomegranate Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark) be stored? What is the approx. shelf life for these?