Research is proving that our love affair with chocolate is based not only on our taste buds, but also on our brains. To begin with, its sweetness stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that generate feelings of pleasure and well-being. On top of that, there are a myriad of chemicals in chocolate that can affect our mood. For example, its caffeine makes us more alert, tryptophan (nature's 'love drug') makes us feel euphoric, and phenlethylamine (a chemical that stimulates the brain's pleasure centre) creates feelings of excitement and attraction.
It's little wonder we crave it. It could also account for the fact that the average Canadian consumes 5,410 g or approximately 12 lbs of chocolate each year.
The next time you find yourself — or anyone else in the family — craving a little 'food of the gods,' treat yourself (and save the trip through the snow and sleet) by making your own. Making simple chocolates is easy. All you need are several squares of bittersweet chocolate and a baking sheet covered in wax paper.
DIY chocolates
You can either microwave the chocolate squares (on high for one or two minutes, stirring after each minute) or melt them in a double boiler (over water that is hot enough to produce steam but is not simmering).
Once the chocolate is melted, you can make your chocolates one of three ways:
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the wax-paper-covered baking sheet. Cover the chocolate with another sheet of wax paper, then lightly roll with a rolling pin to even out the surface. Refrigerate for 5 minutes, then remove the wax-paper cover and, using cookie cutters, cut out your preferred shapes of chocolates.
- Spoon the melted chocolate into a decorating tube. (If you don't have a decorating tube, use a plastic bag and snip a small hole in one of the bottom corners.) Twist the top of the bag to pipe the chocolate onto the waxed paper. In this case, you could spell out words, initials or — ideal for Valentine's Day — Xs and Os. Chill in the refrigerator for up to 5 minutes, then carefully remove your chocolate letters from the paper.
- Make your own chocolate bark by placing 4 cups of nuts (your choice of almonds, walnuts, etc.) in a mixing bowl. Pour 3/4 lb (350g) of melted chocolate over nuts and mix with a spatula until nuts are evenly coated. Spread the mixture on the wax-paper-covered baking sheet. Let it chill in the fridge for up to 5 minutes. When the bark is set, break it up into manageable pieces.
