Chocolate Heaven Bites

Hellooooo!

So, after ten months of starving you of food ideas, we're finally sharing a recipe with you. Not only are we going to share with you a sinfully delicious trinket of goodness with this wonderful recipe, we're also going to lead you through a meditation that will amplify your experience of indulging in it.

It has long been thought that mindful awareness greatly enhances the joys of daily life. By being mindfully aware you are completely present in every moment that you find yourself in. It is the practice of indulging in each moment as if it were the most important and only moment that exists.....because it is.

What better time to get lost in a moment than when that moment involves eating chocolate? We're going to lead you through a simple chocolate meditation. As you'll notice in the ingredients listed below, the recipe requires 7 ounces of stellar dark chocolate to make these bites come alive, but in reality you're going to need a few more ounces if you wish to partake in the meditation.

When choosing your chocolate, consider picking a type or brand you've never tried before so the experience will be a new one. Once you've chosen, relax in a comfy chair with your chocolate in hand and settle in for awhile.

Let the Chocolate Meditation begin.....


Open the packet and inhale the aroma. Breathe. it. in.

Break off a piece and take a good look at it. Notice the color, the texture, the grain, etc.

Close your eyes as you pop it in your mouth and see if you can hold it on your tongue as it slowly softens. Notice any changes as it melts. They (super smart people) say that chocolate has over 300 different flavors. Can you sense some of them? If there's 300, you can probably pick up on two or three of them, right? Let's hope. No pressure though....there's no pressure in meditation.

If you notice your mind wandering, observe where it went and then ask yourself, "WHY WOULD YOU GO THERE? WE'RE EATING CHOCOLATE HERE! THIS IS THE ONLY MOMENT THAT EXISTS!" Then come back to the present moment. (Of course we wouldn't scream at ourselves like that. There is no yelling in meditation. If your first instinct is to chastise yourself for straying, rest assured that with practice, you will remain calm when your mind wanders from the melting chocolate.)

After the chocolate has completely melted, swallow it very slowly and intentionally. Let it cascade down your throat.

Did you see Jesus? St. Peter? The pearly gates?

Now come on back to earth.....back to the world of brussel sprouts, beans, and lentils. Take comfort in knowing that chocolate heaven is just a meditation away.



I hope you enjoyed this simple meditation and consider meditating with other foods, and of course, just meditating in general. It's good for the soul.

♥

I like to make these heavenly bites in petite portions because when served, you tease your guests with the exquisite flavor. You save them from overindulging and almost guarantee that they're still dreaming of them long after they have taken their last bite. These min-morsels are meant to be savored and adored.


Chocolate Heaven Bites

One Cup, minus One Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
7 Ounces High-Quality Dark Chocolate
One Cup Sugar
4 Eggs
One Rounded Tablespoon of Flour
Sprinkling of Salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of an 8-inch cake pan. If using something other than a non-stick pan, you'll want to place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom. I used a silicone min-cupcake pan, so I skipped this whoooooole step. ;)

Melt the butter and chocolate together in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool a little. Then add eggs one at a time and mix well with each addition. Slowly stir in flour and salt sprinkling.

Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until center is set OR pour into mini-cupcake pan and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Like all dark chocolate cakes, this is best made the day before served.

I like to serve my minis with a elegant dollop of freshly whipped cream.

I've also made these in teeny tiny ramekins that guests can eat with teeny tiny spoons.....