All you need to know about chocolate!

Did you know that there is a chocolate museum in Bruges, Belgium? It is called Choco-Story and is located in the historical Huis ‘de Crone’ building, "one of the largest medieval houses in Bruges". Museum walks visitors through the history of the chocolate, tells them secrets of making chocolate, lets them taste different sorts of chocolate and has all the variety of Belgian chocolates.

Check out their Web site at http://www.choco-story.be/ENG/

You'll find there recipes, history of a chocolate, health facts and much more.

You can find some Things You never Knew About Chocolate in the Choco-Story' Press Kit (under downloads), such as:

Did you know that ...

… in bygone days chocolate was served to ladies of nobility during mass?

… the church banned the consumption of chocolate at one time because it was deemed to be an aphrodisiac?

… there are over 800 (!) different constituents in chocolate?

… chocolate contains antioxidants (e.g polyphenols) that help prevent heart disease and cancer?

The information and picture are taken from http://www.choco-story.be/ENG/

A.S.

Study Finds Chocolate has Anti-Depressant Qualities

Professor Gordon Parker from the Black Dog Institute said that the opoids found in chocolate are morphine-like and lower pain and that also flows through into mental well being. You can read more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/02/2049304.htm?section=world
Posted by PAR

Yes-You-Can Easy Layered Cookies

Ingredients
2 pkgs Nabisco Graham Crackers
1 stick Butter, melted
1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup Baker's Shredded Coconut
1/2 cup Mini M&Ms
Any other toppings you like Alternate Toppings

For these easy layered cookies, graham crackers make the base. Pour the butter over the crushed cookies. Now add your layers. For a chocolate decadant cookie, use chocolate graham crackers. Then add a touch of coconut (the coconut helps give the cookies firmness). Add chocolate chips and mini M&Ms. (You can always add dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips too. At Christmas, add the red and green chips.)

For a variation, use cinnamon graham crackers and then add all kinds of nuts: pecans, pistachios, cashews, walnuts etc. Or make a pina colada cookie and use coconut, pineapple and cherries.

Kids love to make these because there is a lot of sprinkling and they get to add all the things they like such as peanut butter chips and marshmallows.

Start with crushed graham crackers. Use chocolate graham crackers for extra chocolate. (I use the cinnamon graham crackers when I make nutty cookies.)

Pour the melted butter over the crushed graham crackers.

The second layer is coconut. If you think you don't like coconut then just add 1/4 c. If you really like coconut, add a little more.

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! Add mini M&Ms.

After drizzling the entire can of the sweetened condensed milk over the layered ingredients, bake for 25 minutes at 300 F. Cut cookies in to squares and let cool. Eat and Enjoy!

Posted by PAR

Chocolate Dipped Fruit and Nuts

Chocolate Dipped Fruit and Nuts are light, easy and so delicious that are surprisingly easy to make. The flavor combination can't be beat.

These bite-sized treats taste sophisticated and none too sweet, since they are made with fresh fruit, unsweetened dried fruit and dark chocolate.


Ingredients

Fruit - strawberries, pear slices , apple slices , pineapple slices, pear slices, apricot halves , banana chips , peaches slices , plums.

Nuts - Cashews , Brazil Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans, Hazelnuts 1 pound of bittersweet or white chocolate and finely chopped.

Procedure

1. In heavy saucepan over very low heat, melt chocolate; stir until smooth.
2. Allow mixture to cool slightly. Rinse the fresh fruits and let dry completely.Dip fruit slices or nut about 2/3 of the way into chocolate mixture.
3. Place on wax-paper-covered tray. Refrigerate, uncovered, until chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes.
Posted by C.C.