BY NEIL ZEVNIK
In the Middle Ages, chocolate
was prescribed by physicians
as a universal panacea, a “holy
thing for many ills, pains and
sores.” Cutting-edge French
priests used it medicinally in the
1700s. But it’s not just any old
chocolate we’re talking about
here; it’s the dense, rich, unadul-
terated dark chocolate of Mon-
tezuma and the conquistadors,
and here’s why: Cocoa beans
come from a plant and are the
source of health-promoting
phytonutrients known as flavonols
(also found in tea, berries, wine, etc.).
But here’s the catch: The health benefits seem
to come only from dark chocolate that contains
at least 60% cocoa solids. Milk chocolate simply
doesn’t cut it. And modern processing can remove
a large portion of the flavonols, thereby rendering
the chocolate almost impotent.
quick tip
Food of the Gods Chocolate Chip Cookies
For yummy home-
made chocolate
chunks, buy a dark
chocolate bar with
more than 60%
cacao, and break it
into pieces.
PHOTO: PORNCHAI MI TTONGTARE
1 3/4 cups pastry flour (organic if possible)
2 Tbsp. unprocessed cocoa powder
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 sticks ( 1 cup) unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
9-oz package dark chocolate chips or chunks
In a large bowl, combine butter,
both sugars and vanilla extract. Beat
with an electric mixer on high speed
until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes,
scraping sides and bottom of the
bowl often. Beat in eggs one at a
time, beating thoroughly after each
addition. With a wooden spoon,
stir in the flour mixture until well-
combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto
parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake
for about 15 minutes, until cooked
through but still slightly soft to the
touch. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes,
then move cookies to cooling rack.
Repeat until all batter is used. Makes
about 30 cookies.
Preheat oven to 350º F. In a small bowl, combine flour,
cocoa powder, salt and baking powder, and whisk to
combine. Set aside.
Per cookie: Cal (150): Total fat ( 9 gm); Sat. fat ( 5. 5 gm); Chol. ( 30 mg); Prot. ( 1. 6 gm); Carbs ( 18 gm); Sod. (101 mg); Fiber ( 1. 5 gm) [Note: To cut about 25 calories per cookie,
References:
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