Disclosure: Thank you to the #FreshTastyValentines sponsors for providing the giveaway prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the participating bloggers with samples and products to use for #FreshTastyValentines recipe development; no additional compensation was given. (In this post in particular, I am using chocolate I received from Pacari Chocolate in the recipe.) All opinions remain our own.
I’m going to level with you… Valentine’s Day isn’t my favorite holiday. It’s not even in my top 5. Not because I’m jaded. Well, not completely. I certainly have my bitter moments, but that’s me, not you, and that’s neither here nor there. It’s just so artificial choosing one day a year that we’re supposed to make a big show of our affections so everyone can see how much we care when we should be doing it every day. If you don’t feed the flowers, they’ll never bloom; if you don’t let the ones you love know that your words aren’t just words–that you mean all those I love you‘s and support them with your actions–no gift can make up for that oversight.
That’s why I am LOVING #FreshTastyValentines themed week. Because what better way to show the contents of your heart than with food that not only tastes good, but is good for you, too! It’s easy to carry on with this all year long!
This week, we have so many wonderful sponsors for our big giveaway (check out my intro post on that and don’t forget to enter in the Rafflecopter widget!) who also provided us with product to use in developing our recipes. Today, I’m focusing on Pacari Chocolate, a family-owned business in Ecuador whose goal it was to revolutionize the chocolate industry. They work with 2500 families on small cocoa farms–part of their dedication to social responsibility. Their tree to bar certified organic chocolates have won many International Chocolate Awards, supporting their claims of producing some of the world’s best chocolates. For #FreshTastyValentines week, they are providing one winner with a package of their premium organic chocolates!
They sent me a selection of their product line, including samples of Organic Chocolate with Cuzco Salt & Nibs, Piura Quemazón 70% Cacao single region fine chocolate, 70% Cacao Raw Organic Chocolate, and Organic Chocolate with Roses (which I used in my recipe today). Since I’ve been meaning to make another granola recipe for ages now, I decided to take the full-sized bar of Organic Chocolate with Roses and pair it with strawberries and chocolate. To continue with the floral theme, I added cardamom for a fresh flavor. I don’t use it nearly enough! Combined, it feels like a splurge, but there are so many healthy ingredients that you can rest assured that you’re doing something good for all of you.
Check out all the other recipes starting off #FreshTastyValentines week:
[inlinkz_linkup id=596671 mode=1]
Chocolate Covered Strawberries Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats not quick oats
- 3 Tablespoons hemp hearts
- 2 Tablespoons coconut palm sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg white
- 1 cup sliced freeze dried strawberries
- 1 1.76- ounce bar Pacari Andean Rose Geranium chocolate bar chopped rough
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Get out a rimmed nonstick cookie sheet and put it aside.
- In a very large bowl, mix everything except for the freeze dried strawberries and chocolate together. Spread evenly on the cookie sheet.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until it looks dry, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Once completely cooled, stir in the strawberries and chocolate.
- Store in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long!).
Don’t forget to enter the big giveaway with FOURTEEN different prizes!!!
The #FreshTastyValentines Giveaway is open to residents of the United States and is void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from February 1, 2016, to February 8, 2016. Winners must be 18 years of age. Winners will be notified by email.
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Find Pacari Chocolate:
this granola sounds delicious, carrie! i agree with you–don’t be more affectionate/nice/loving/etc. on valentine’s day than you are the rest of the year.
It really needs to be an all the time thing, you know? Thanks for stopping by!
Your granola sounds delicious. Great use of the sponsor products.
Hubs is so excited to try this chocolaty happiness!!! Your recipe sounds fun to make and really hearty, and delicious! Hugs, T
Decadent, yes….but maybe the health factor cancels out all the “sinful” tastes. 🙂 Glad to be a part of #FreshTastyValentines with you. Pinning the granola recipe.
I certainly think so. I mean, there are ANTIOXIDANTS here, folks! Antioxidants!
So true, we should act like Valentine’s Day is every day to make our loved ones feel special. This Pacari chocolate will do the trick for sure!
It’s a great little touch that goes a long way, isn’t it? 🙂
What a delicious and beautiful bowl!
I am with you on the Valentine’s thoughts. This granola sounds so delicious, and I must try to hunt down some of the chocolate.
Your granola looks delicious!
This looks so tasty! I’d eat it any time of day!
Bahahaha I love that spoon! And I would also love to wake up to a bowl of this granola.
What a great idea! This granola would make for a fabulous breakfast or mid-afternoon snack.
I love granola. I love chocolate granola! I love that you’ve added the freeze dried strawberries. They’re so tasty and pair perfectly with chocolate.