They may be simple, but these fruit-and nut-decorated chocolates present gorgeously well! Gather your favorite superfoods and create unlimited variations for special occasion treats.
Make 2 dozen mendiants
8 ounces raw chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, cut into small chunks or chips
handful of cashews, split in half with a paring knife
handful of cacao nibs
handful of goji berries
handful of goldenberries
handful of other nuts, seeds, and dried fruit as desired*
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the foil down so that it is fully smooth and without wrinkles. Have all your superfoods, nuts, and dried fruits ready for decoration.
Over very low heat (or using a double boiler), gently melt the chocolate into a liquid, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once fully melted, remove from heat.
A teaspoon at a time, spoon circles of chocolate onto the prepared sheet, about 1½ -inches in diameter and placed an inch apart. Keep the circles as thick as possible by dripping the chocolate in a single spot, and do not flatten down. You should yield about 24 circles.
Decorate the circles with superfoods: for example, delicately place 1 or two nuts, a small piece of dried fruit, and a 5 or 6 cacao nibs in the center of the circle. Try different combinations for varieties of flavor and color. Once all the circles are decorated, place the baking sheet with the melted chocolate in the refrigerator. Chill until chocolate is fully solidified, about 20-30 minutes. Mendiants may be kept at room temperature or refrigerated.
*Almost any small or chopped nut, seed, or dried fruit will work wonderfully. Favorite combinations include goldenberries, crystalized ginger and pistachios; goji berries, cashew, and cacao nibs; and dragonfruit, cacao nibs, and dried cranberry.