Four ways to add chocolate into your next savory meal
Chocolate has a rich history as the star flavor in some of our most beloved desserts. Devil’s food cake, black forest, and red velvet are all perfect examples of chocolate-based desserts that exist in our culinary canon. A touch of sweetness brings out the best in this ingredient. But that’s not all it’s good for.
The most exciting aspect of cooking with chocolate is how well it plays with other ingredients. But so often, we limit ourselves to the world of sweet treats. A quality piece of chocolate does just as well in a savory dish as it does in a classic baked good.
We know what you’re thinking. Chocolate for dinner? But trust us - when you taste all the ingredients together, you’ll transition from skeptic to fanatic pretty quickly. To get you on team savory, we’re bringing you a rundown of savory recipes featuring chocolate that you need to try. Let’s get started!
In the Venn diagram of adjectives for food, the word comforting could be used for both chocolate and chili. It’s warm, fragrant, and earthy. Chocolate is the essential ingredient you never knew you were missing. It works with so many of the spices that chili is known for: chili powder and cinnamon are all classic pairings. And the touch of sweetness from the chocolate enhances the dish without overpowering. It’s got to be a staple in your winter cooking repertoire.
If you’ve never had mole sauce, it’s hard to explain in words. This Mexican staple has been around for centuries and has just as many iterations. The ingredient list alone is enough to scare off any seasoned cook, but it makes sense when you understand the purpose behind it.
You’re trying to build flavors over time, stacking them one on top of the other. The end result is an earthy, spicy, complex sauce. No two sauces are ever the same, but you can guarantee a stunning depth of flavor. In this bold sauce, chocolate is a perfect grounding ingredient. Scoop it up with tortillas or slow cook your favorite protein in it for a stunning result.
Chocolate can take on many roles as a recipe ingredient. It’s truly a jack of all trades. But often it’s relegated to the sidelines for savory meals when it should be in the starting lineup. Don’t take our word for it, though. Give it a try yourself. We bet you’ll be coming back to this article when you’re done to incorporate even more chocolate into your life!
The most exciting aspect of cooking with chocolate is how well it plays with other ingredients. But so often, we limit ourselves to the world of sweet treats. A quality piece of chocolate does just as well in a savory dish as it does in a classic baked good.
We know what you’re thinking. Chocolate for dinner? But trust us - when you taste all the ingredients together, you’ll transition from skeptic to fanatic pretty quickly. To get you on team savory, we’re bringing you a rundown of savory recipes featuring chocolate that you need to try. Let’s get started!
Mozzarella Strawberry Salad with Chocolate Vinaigrette
We’ll ease into things with a simple yet enticing offering. It might seem like we’re cheating with a salad that already has sweet elements, like strawberry, but chocolate plays a role here. Because of its bitter nature, chocolate can subdue any overpowering sweetness from the fruit while still enhancing that sweet taste.Double Chocolate Chili
In the Venn diagram of adjectives for food, the word comforting could be used for both chocolate and chili. It’s warm, fragrant, and earthy. Chocolate is the essential ingredient you never knew you were missing. It works with so many of the spices that chili is known for: chili powder and cinnamon are all classic pairings. And the touch of sweetness from the chocolate enhances the dish without overpowering. It’s got to be a staple in your winter cooking repertoire.
Chocolate Mole Sauce
If you’ve never had mole sauce, it’s hard to explain in words. This Mexican staple has been around for centuries and has just as many iterations. The ingredient list alone is enough to scare off any seasoned cook, but it makes sense when you understand the purpose behind it.
You’re trying to build flavors over time, stacking them one on top of the other. The end result is an earthy, spicy, complex sauce. No two sauces are ever the same, but you can guarantee a stunning depth of flavor. In this bold sauce, chocolate is a perfect grounding ingredient. Scoop it up with tortillas or slow cook your favorite protein in it for a stunning result.
Chocolate Truffle Tagliatelle
Chocolate and pasta are an unusual pairing. How could these two flavors come together and taste anything but weird? Well, it’s time to expand your horizons. You’ll be making fresh tagliatelle in this recipe. While pasta-making is a pretty big investment of your time, you won’t regret a second of it. Chocolate and truffles are both earthy, rich flavors that make this dish downright decadent.Chocolate can take on many roles as a recipe ingredient. It’s truly a jack of all trades. But often it’s relegated to the sidelines for savory meals when it should be in the starting lineup. Don’t take our word for it, though. Give it a try yourself. We bet you’ll be coming back to this article when you’re done to incorporate even more chocolate into your life!