Today I stopped by the CBS KUTV2 Fresh Living Show to share my support for American Heart Month by offering tips for a heart healthy Valentine’s Day dinner for 2! Host Scott Casey and I talked about creating everything from a beautiful centerpiece as a focal point for the table setting the tone of a celebratory dinner, and cooking up a Meals That Transform heart healthy entree, followed by a decadent, delicious, drinkable sipping hot chocolate to pull out the richness and flavors of the romantic occasion.
Creating a beautiful centerpiece is easy to do when you have the right vision and materials. I like an organic, earthy but elegant feel to my centerpieces, so I use plants (like the terrarium plants as shown above) that offer interesting color and shape, offset by a solid colored textured vase, pot or jar that can showcase the contrast and draw the eye. Smooth river rocks in neutral colors with positive affirmations on them, make for a beautiful base to the tray, and soft cream colored candles add a quiet elegance for the finishing touch.
To top off a lovely dinner, the MTT organic dark sipping chocolate is not only a delicious and festive dessert, but the coconut milk, organic cacao, honey and spice makes for a heart healthy dessert that you and your significant other are sure to enjoy! I have shared the recipe below:
Ingredients
6-ounces 70% cocoa fine quality (sweetened) chocolate, broken into small pieces
4-ounces water
4-ounces of coconut milk
Dash of Pumpkin Pie spice
Aseda Honey or Agave
Directions
- Heat the liquid. In a double boiler. Remember that coconut milk will blunt the sharp, distinctive flavors of the chocolate, and also remember that 70% cocoa is very rich without the addition of coconut milk.
- Stir in the chocolate until melted and smooth. If the beverage seems too thin, stir more chocolate, a little at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thick, thin with a small amount of water or coconut milk.
- Serve in small, espresso-size cups.
Makes 4-ounces – serves 3-5 people (depending on how much you want to share)
