Do I feel guilty? Not at all.
Satisfying and delicious, dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, a phytochemical with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties. Research suggests that flavonoids may help protect our hearts by lowering blood pressure and reducing LDL cholesterol levels.
The health benefits of chocolate are, however, limited to dark chocolate, which contains the most flavonoids. Dark chocolate has approximately four times as many flavonoids as milk chocolate, while white chocolate has none.
To maximize dark chocolate's health benefits, choose a minimum 70% cocoa content (the greater the percentage of cocoa solids in chocolate, the more flavonoids it contains) and keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Moderation is the key.
This no-bake silky pâté is a beautiful treat. I hope you enjoy it -
This no-bake silky pâté is a beautiful treat. I hope you enjoy it -
Orange Chocolate Pâté
- 300 grams (or 3 large bars), 75% cocoa chocolate
- 1/4 naval orange, skin-on and cut into thin pieces of varying shapes and sizes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup 10% cream
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
Line the bottom and sides of a small (6 x 3.5 inch) loaf pan with a large piece of plastic wrap, letting wrap hang over sides of pan. Place some pieces of orange and orange zest on bottom of plastic wrap in random fashion.
Meanwhile, melt chocolate and butter in small sturdy pot on lowest setting on stove . Add cream and mix until combined. Remove chocolate from heat.
Pour half of chocolate mixture into loaf pan over orange segments. Tap pan down gently a few times on counter top to allow chocolate to fully settle over oranges. Add a few pieces of orange over chocolate.
Pour remaining chocolate mixture over this second layer of orange segments.
Refrigerate pâté until firm, about 6 hours. Lift pâté out of pan by pulling up on wrap and gently remove wrap to reveal your orange chocolate pâté.
Slice pâté into thin wedges and enjoy.
Be sure to store pâté in fridge.
You might also like our family favourite: Chocolate Clusters
Photos by Trinity Nutrition
Hi, new follower from foodbuzz. Love this recipe. It's a beautiful dessert. Glad I found your blog. Also following you twitter and facebook.
ReplyDeleteGreat dessert. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful! And so timely, since a new study was just released about the amazing health benefits of chocolate. Like I needed an excuse! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely STUNNING!!! What a beautiful pate and really, REALLY clever!
ReplyDeleteOh Kelly thsi looks picture perfect.I love chocolate orange combination.They complimant each other in taste like nothing else:) Great pics;)
ReplyDeleteOh my God - I share your love of chocolate. Drench everything in chocolate for instant improvement! This looks wonderful, and you could customise it in SO many ways too. It would really make a perfect after-dinner coffee accompaniment... so rich and delicious :D
ReplyDeleteKelly, I love such desserts: healthy and delicious! Given the sophisticated look of your dessert, the French would certainly call it "terrine" (sounds more chic than pâté). I always have lots of black, 72% chocolate in my cupboard, so when I crave something sweet, I have just a bit and it calms me down. I am lucky to prefer dark chocolate because apart from the healthy side I have noticed it it more filling than milk or white chocolate.
ReplyDelete@Sissi
ReplyDeleteThanks Sissi - I find dark chocolate hits just the right note. It satisfies without launching insatiable cravings the way milk chocolate does. Quebecers generally use the term pâté although terrine is indeed elegant.
I LOVE dark chocolate and I LOVE your pate! Fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteHave a happy weekend.
:-) Mandy
What a great dessert pate! And I like the orange segments inside.
ReplyDeleteChocolate IS an important part of any nutritious diet! Great recipe.
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm not a chocolate eater - but those orange slices look just divine! And I had no idea that milk chocolate didn't have the same nutritional benefits as dark chocolate. Fortunately my kids like both, so next time I make them something chocolaty I'll keep this in mind. Hope you're enjoying your trip!!!!
ReplyDelete---Kelly,
ReplyDeleteCreative. Beautiful. Art.
I looooooove dark chocolate & orange combined. What a blast of taste. :) WOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW.
PS. how fabulous it must be to live at your house !
Seriously!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk now you are one of my food goddess. This is an awesome dessert, what a terrific idea. Lovely!!!
I just finished my Lindt orange chocolate! This is such a timely and delicious recipe.
ReplyDeleteChocolate pate is one of our favorite treats. I did know that a small amount of dark chocolate was good for us but didn't know why. Mystery solved! I look forward to trying your version!
ReplyDeletethis looks heavenly and delicious. Beautiful dessert idea :)
ReplyDeleteChocolate and orange is a fabulous combination! I'm in total agreement with eating only dark chocolate and will admit I have just a tiny bite at least once a day! I love this idea and this would be wonderful to serve to guests..or just myself!
ReplyDeleteFlavinoids AND vitamin C in one gorgeous pate? Sounds perfect to me.
ReplyDeletethis one looks so mouth-watering and easy to prepare...delicious!
ReplyDeletechocolate pate - YUM! i am craving it now!!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I require a certain amount of dark chocolate a day. This looks fantastic! I love love love orange and chocolate together!!
ReplyDeleteI need this RIGHT NOW. I love chocolate covered orange peel. LOVE IT. Buzzed. Would buzz it twice if I could.
ReplyDeleteOMG, chocolate-orange is my absolute favorite combo ever (even better than choco-pb!)This looks a.m.a.z.i.n.g.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious way to get your antioxidants! And, I love orange with chocolate.
ReplyDeleteQue perfecto! Cause who doesn't need another reason to love chocolate?!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks absolutely delicious, I love chocolate and now I have to go find a piece in my house! YUM! can't wait to try this!
ReplyDelete@Kim Bee
ReplyDeleteWelcome Kim and thank you so much for your feedback!
@Christine's Pantry
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Christine -
@Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen
ReplyDeletePretty neat, the information just keeps getting better :)
@Ann
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ann!
@Dzoli
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty yummy combination, isn't it? Thanks Dzoli.
@Charles
ReplyDeleteI know, the mind boggles at the infinite possibilities...fruit, nut butters, liqueurs... :)
@thecompletecookbook
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy -
@yummychunklet
ReplyDeleteIt creates a neat effect, doesn't it -
@Greg
ReplyDeleteThat's what I always say :)
@My Inner Chick
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kim - have a beautiful day.
@Reem | Simply Reem
ReplyDeleteToo funny - thanks Reem!
@Angie's Recipes
ReplyDeleteTime to go out and buy some more!
@France@beyondthepeel
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
@Joanne
ReplyDeleteantioxidants abound :)
@Kalyan
ReplyDeleteWelcome Kalyan - thank you!
@Junia
ReplyDeleteindeed :)
@Sarah
ReplyDeleteThat makes at least two of us!
@kankana
ReplyDeleteThanks so much -
@Linda
ReplyDeleteCheers Linda -
@Michelle O
ReplyDeleteWelcome Michelle! Thanks so much for your feedback.
@Amy @ ElephantEats
ReplyDeleteeven more than chocolate/peanut butter?! we're definitely on to something! :)
@lisa is cooking
ReplyDeleteAgreed - thanks Lisa.
@Jen at The Three Little Piglets
ReplyDeleteI'll gather as many as necessary :0Thanks for dropping by Jen!
@Amy-Nutrition by Nature
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy!!
My mom is a huge fan of Lindt's dark chocolate and orange bar, so I'm sure she'd love this. I'm a sucker for chocolate!
ReplyDeleteKelly - i'm so glad i'm not alone in my everyday chocolate indulgence! This looks wonderful, and I think it would put my tiny dove chocolates to shame.
ReplyDeleteHehehee "moderation is the key" yes I know but it's so hard to resist!!! I'm a big fan of dark chocolate without knowing too much of knowledge about chocolate - I just love the dark rich taste. Your orange chocolate pate looks sooo good. Orange and dark chocolate go so well. My problem is once I start eating, I can't stop and it's been my issue for many years. No wonder I'm chocoholic.
ReplyDeleteHi from your newest follower:) Glad we got connected through FoodBuzz. Love your pate, the combination of chocolate and oranges is simply irresistible!
ReplyDelete