MAIN Cooking Chocolate

It's the dessert that many of us can't resist — if only for it's soul stirring, head-to-toe satisfying chocolatey goodness.

In fact, recent studies have pointed to chocolate's health benefits as a cancer fighter and a delicious part of heart healthy. It may actually be good for you, but most important... chocolate makes you feel good. Really!

Chocolate has a host of "feel good" mood altering chemicals. Endorphins that help relieve stress are boosted by chocolate; serotonin — a natural anti-depressant is increased by chocolate and scientists are finding plenty of other effects that chocoholics have been talking about for centuries.

The only drawback to eating chocolate is the sugar that gets added... which means calories and weight gain if a chocolate habit runs wild. But that fact doesn't stop true chocolate lovers from indulging in their in their favorite food group, with sweet memories of mom's best chocolate chip cookies (still warm from the oven) or romantic reveries of their first Valentine kiss (chocolate, of course). An extra few sit ups are a small price to pay for the pleasure of eating such a delicious treat.

More chocolate recipes around the Web:

Around the Web, check out top sites offering the best in chocolate desserts online — ranging from Christmas chocolate recipes and other traditional favorites, to unusual gourment food pairings, chocolate cocktails, exotic international dishes, and more for the confirmed chocoholic ...

Chocolate Recipes, Tips and Photo Instruction - Food Network - Quick, easy "Chocolate 101" recipes with complete ingredients lists & instructions for making homemade chocolate mousse, poundcake, souffle, truffles and more.

Chocolate Recipes - Just it like it says - featuring an encyclopedia of chocolate including more than 100 recipes for cheesecakes, cookies, cakes, brownies, fudge, truffles.

Chocolate Club's Chocolate Recipes - Browseable by topic including cakes, candies, cookies, (at least 2 dozen for chocolate chip) chocolate drinks, brownies and puddings plus more exotic fare including... chocolate pasta.

Chocolate Fondue Recipes | Simply Recipes - Variations on a theme with a basic chocolate fondue recipe and tips for adding zing with espresso, orange zest, and more, with links to related resources.

Brownie Recipes - A dozen recipes at last count, from basic to peanut butter brownies.

Chocolate Drinks Recipes - A good collection of recipes for chocolate shakes, floats, hot chocolate, and moccha drinks.

HERSHEY'S Kitchens - Recipes - The source for baking with milk chocolate featuring a menu browseable by topic including holiday baking, birthdays, quick & easy, fun kids' recipes, with intructional video tips.

Gourmet Chocolate Recipes from Hank Friedman - Like truffles? Check out soul satifsying concoctions including raspberry, strawberry, coconut, and macadamia nut truffles and lots more. Hank's the man.

10 Chocolate Cocktails - A Valentine's Day special from FineLiving.com with complete mixing instructions for a chocolate martini, peppermint schnapps hot chocolate, brownie cognac and more.

Mole (Sauce) Mahalo - The Mexican national dish incorporating chocolate with chicken, pork and turkey dishes, with complete recipes and ingredient sources including history, trivia, related blogs and cooking forums.

Chocolate and Wine Pairing - A quick guide to pairing ports, reislings, and merlots with your favorite dessert.

also see -> Chocolate Recipes in the Chiff Chef Recipe File:

also see -> Valentine's Day Recipes