I was a little stumped when this Recipe Redux Theme was released…
“What will you be serving to get the New Year started with a little luck? Be it black eyed peas and greens, Chinese noodles or even a special family recipe you serve on New Year’s Eve or Day. Please share your good luck dish to start off 2014 in a healthy way.”
I have never had a New Year’s tradition, or have had a recipe or specific food that signified luck to me. To be honest, after reading the theme, I went and google searched about lucky foods and New Years. Haha yep, it is true.
But after thinking long and hard about it, I decided to go about it a different way since I didn’t want to make up some tradition I most certainly didn’t actually have, or make recipes with “Chinese noodles” just because I saw that it is known as a lucky food.
I decided to go with Dark Chocolate. You may be asking yourself..that’s not healthy, nor is alcohol. And to some extent, you may be correct.
But with all the fattening foods the holiday season brings around, and all the alcohol people typically drink on New Years, what a better way to “healthify” the situation, and combine the two in one, in moderation. And in a more clean way. Instead of a huge piece of chocolate cake, why not low calorie chocolate jello? Instead of many sugar filled drinks, why not just a single bite that doesn’t leave you feeling groggy the next morning? Dark Chocolate does have its health benefits you know…
Dark Chocolate is a great food to turn to for satisfying that sweet tooth. Unlike most desserts, dark chocolate has many nutritional benefits!
Dark Cocoa Benefits1)Decreases blood pressure
2)Improves cholesterol levels
3)Prevents heart disease
4)Rich in flavonoids, an antioxidant
5) Rich in multiple vitamins and minerals
I also decided to use a natural, vegetarian thickening agent, Agar Agar Flakes, instead of typical jello mix. I had bought it awhile back, and finally found a good use for it!
And I’m not sure about you, but whenever I’m needing some extra brain energy while studying, or stressed about a situation, dark chocolate is my go to food. So therefore, it is my good luck food.
Plus, who can complain about chocolate? Let’s be honest, we may begin to cut out most of the holiday sweets, but we all know there is no way to leave it all behind us..okay well at least that is the case for me. And come on, look how festive and fun they look
I made these for our last family get together as a fun, unique dessert. And I’m making these for our big Christmas dinner with family and friends because they were such a hit. I call that a family tradition…right?
Disclaimer: Please enjoy these only if over the age of 21, and consume responsibly. In no way do I believe in overindulgence by sharing this recipe. Because I am now 21, I will have a small amount of alcohol with close family or friends, but still do not regularly drink or drink in excess because of my values and beliefs.
Until next time…
xoxo, Sarah Grace
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Agar Agar Flakes (or 1 packet gelatin)
- 1 cup Coffee (or 1 cup Water+ 1 teaspoon Instant Coffee)
- 1/4 cup Vodka (use fun flavor of choice or simple vodka, I used Chocolate)
- 3 tablespoons Dark Cocoa
- 3 tablespoons Baking Stevia/MonkFruit in the Raw
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Place coffee in small pot on stove, but do not turn on heat.
- Sprinkle agar agar flakes on top and allow to sit for a few minutes
- Turn burner on high and bring to boil just until flakes are fully dissolve
- Remove from burner, and stir in rest of ingredients
- Pour into small shot glasses or molds and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.