Tag Archives: chocolate

Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli

I’ve been very good (and very disciplined) on my diet but since it’s Valentine’s Day, I think it’s okay to splurge a little and have something chocolatey, don’t you think? I found a recipe for a fried version of Chocolate and Banana Ravioli on Food Network’s website so I decided to adapt it to something a little healthier. These Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli are baked, not fried, and include nothing else but chocolate-hazelnut spread, bananas, and walnuts. Simple. Since bananas are already naturally sweet, I didn’t see any reason to include additional sugar. These have a yummy banana flavor and the Nutella is creamy and rich making these taste decadent without being terribly fattening. If you don’t like Nutella, you could easily swap it out with your favorite chocolate chips or regular peanut-butter. Eat these as-is, with a little bit of chocolate or caramel dipping sauce or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Baked Chocolate and Banana Ravioli (makes 16 ravioli)

Recipe adapted from Food Network

1 medium banana
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup Nutella
16 wonton wrappers
non-stick spray

The ingredients:

Cut up the banana into small pieces or mash it in a bowl.

Add in chopped walnuts.

Lay out a wonton on a flat surface. Place one teaspoon of chocolate-hazelnut spread into the center of the wonton.

Add one teaspoon of the banana mixture into the center of the wonton.

Using your finger or a pastry brush, brush the edges of the wonton with water. Fold one corner over to the opposite corner and press the edges together.

Place ravioli on a parchment-lined baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Spray the tops of each ravioli with non-stick spray also and bake in a 350ºF oven for 11 minutes until golden brown.

Irish Cream Brownies

Every party, even if it’s for the big game, needs to have something sweet. Most everyone loves brownies and not only are they easy to make, they are easy to grab as you run back to the couch to catch the next play. And since we usually are slurping down a few cocktails, it seems appropriate the brownies are a little tipsy too. These Irish Cream Brownies have the slightest hint of Bailey’s Irish Cream and are slightly addictive. The top of these bad boys are light and crispy while the inside is cakey and gooey, just the way I want my brownies to be. And they have not one, but two different kinds of chocolate – cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate…yum! After hours of salty appetizers, spicy munchies, and whatever else you’ve injested while watching the big game (and those million-dollar commercials), a little something sweet might be just what you need.

The ingredients:

Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cocoa in a bowl.

In another larger bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Allow to cool slightly.

Add sugar, egg substitute, vanilla, and Bailey’s Irish Cream to the chocolate mixture and mix well.

Add in flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Pour batter into a square baking dish and bake in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes.

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Cooking Light Magazine

Molten Spiced Chocolate Cabernet Cakes

Want to make an impression on someone this weekend? Try these Molten Spiced Chocolate Cabernet Cakes. These cakes have cinnamon and ginger and are super chocolatey with a warm molten center that will impress anyone. I used regular cinnamon in these although the recipe calls for Saigon cinnamon (anyone know what that is?) and it tasted delicious. These bake quickly in the oven and should be eaten within a few hours of baking in order to keep the molten center. Just be careful that you don’t dig in too quickly or else the entire center might come flowing out. Don’t have Cabernet? No big deal. Use any red wine you might have on hand. These pair deliciously with wine (or milk!) so if you are planning on a low key New Year’s Eve and want to put a smile on your sweetie’s face, definitely consider these.