Ready for the last healthy dessert recipe of the year? When the holiday craze comes around, every day tends to become more and more indulgent with holiday celebrations galore, festive treats around every corner, and the mentality that “I’ll just start being healthy on January 1st”. It’s easy to get in that mindset, but then when January 1st rolls around, suddenly eating “clean” or doing an intense juice cleanse is just kind of hard, not fun, and really restrictive.
So rather than go all out every day before the new year, my strategy is to enjoy the holiday indulgences in moderation and balance it out with real, unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods. So that way on the first of the year, when I decide I’m going to be healthier this year than I was in 2016, it doesn’t seem like it’s such a stretch. It feels like it’s doable and I’ll look forward to making some subtle changes that will help me get the new year started on the right foot. Anyway, all of this build-up to discuss these dark chocolate dipped apples and satsumas!
When deciding what dessert to make for NYE, my first goal was to pick something delicious yet light and fresh, so that we’re not starting 2017 with a sugar hangover. Second most important was making something easy and quick because no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen when there’s people to see and celebrations to attend! Dark chocolate dipped apples and satsumas with a variety of healthy toppings fit the bill perfectly! (And you can’t go wrong pairing those with my favorite Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies either!)
Ingredients
4 satsuma mandarins or clementines
2 granny smith apples
1 chocolate bar (I used 70% cacao dark chocolate)
Toppings:
Sea salt
Chopped pistacios
Shredded coconut
Chopped pecans
Goji berries
Serves 4
1. Line a plate with parchment paper.
2. Peel and segment the satsumas and core and slice the apples.
3. Break chocolate bar into pieces and melt in a double boiler or in the microwave.
4. Dip one end of the fruit into the melted chocolate and place on the parchment paper.
5. Sprinkle your favorite toppings onto the chocolate, before it starts to dry.
6. Place in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to harden.
7. Serve and enjoy!
By the way, if you haven’t had a satsuma before, get ready… they’re so juicy and delicious! Then dipped in chocolate, well, you can’t really beat it!
Wishing you all a wonderful and happy new year! Cheers to 2017 being our healthiest, happiest year yet.
Photography by Kristen Schellenberg
