World Chocolate Day: There are guilt-free ways to enjoy chocolates; but then what’s a little guilt when the gratification is oh-so divine!

Mona

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt, wrote Charles M. Schulz. The love for chocolates is universal and what’s better than World Chocolate Day to celebrate this sinful indulgence?

Here are some confirmed chocoholics sharing their best moments with cocoa treats!

A sinful 48-layer pastry

I am a chocolate person and I love anything and everything related to it. There is this 48-layer pastry that I have had and I think that was the most sinful and delicious chocolate dish I have ever had. The 48 layers of chocolate was not just an icing on the cake but a whole mountain of chocolate. I would love chocolate in all kinds of dishes and since I avoid sugar, I add a bit of chocolate to my coffee as well. Whenever I eat out, I make sure to end my meals with a chocolate dessert, be it a chocolate waffle, cake or anything else. Chocolate is my weakness and I have it almost every single day and it’s a mood lifter for me. — Sanjay Gagnani, actor

The story of cacao

My favourite chocolate indulgence is a dish called the Story of Cacao at Ministry of Crab in Khar West. The main component is like a chocolate mousse shaped like a large cacao bean, lying on a bed of chocolate chill crumble and coconut jelly. I absolutely love it. Chocolates make it to most of my coffees or desserts. — Preeti Jhangiani, actor

Chocolate is happiness

I love chocolate. Every ingredient makes way for it to shine. Even when it’s less, it’s enough. And it’s never enough. I always keep one chocolate dessert on my menu even when some critics say it’s not an Indian dessert. I reply by saying that it’s chocolate, it’s for everyone. I love the use of chocolate in savoury too. Moiley from Latin cuisine is a delicious chicken curry that shows how versatile chocolate is. Chocolate is not an ingredient; it’s happiness. It’s forgiving but one should make sure to learn how to temper it perfectly. —Chef Vikas Khanna

Have chocolate, guilt-free

Chocolate is made of cacao and has many health benefits if consumed in moderation. Cacao beans are rich in anti-oxidants and have soothing effects on nerves that relax any stress and tension in the body. Here are a few tips to include chocolate’s deliciousness into a healthy meal.

Choco protein: Just mix some chocolate powder with water or non-dairy milk and you have a healthy dosage without adding sugar. For post workout meals and healthy weight gain, chocolate spreads can be made at home by adding peanut butter for a healthy breakfast. Similarly, healthy protein granola bars can be made too!

Chocolate oatmeal: You can easily add some chocolate to your morning bowl of oats and enjoy a healthy breakfast with a twist of chocolate in it. You can also make chocolate oatmeal pancakes and add a few slices of banana to elevate the healthiness and your experience.

Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has a lesser proportion of dairy and added sugar so it maintains the original qualities of cacao beans. You can have a bar of dark chocolate daily or use it to bake cookies or your own dark chocolate almond bars. Dark chocolate can be incorporated easily with dry nuts, fruits like bananas and berries and cakes. A piece of dark chocolate can be eaten after dinner, as well. — Vidhi Chawla, Dietician