Dark Chocolate covered Clementines with a Hint of Sea Salt


Move over Chocolate covered Strawberries!

On second thoughts, do not move over!

But share your 'Chocolate Covered Fruit' center stage with another sweet and equally delicious petite sized powerhouse.

Behold Dark Chocolate covered Clementines with a Hint of Sea Salt!

They might not look as regal as the luscious strawberries dipped in velvety chocolate but wait till you eat one.

Let the wave of sweet Orange juice mixed with the silky creaminess of Dark Chocolate with a slight salty crunch of sea salt, awaken your senses and transport you to a world of bliss!





Clementines, often referred as "Baby Oranges" is actually a cross between Chinese Mandarin Oranges and regular Oranges. They’re slightly sweeter than oranges, but surprisingly low in sugar. They’re not only cute but a nutritional powerhouse too.

Being a part of the citrus family and because of its orange color, Clementines are camped with Vitamin C and Beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A). Both these vitamins are responsible for healthy skin, hair, eyes and overall immunity.

But the best part is, even though they are sweeter than the regular oranges, Clementine is a surprisingly low calorie-low carb fruit. With just 35 calories and 8 grams of total carb, plus a bonus of 2 gm of fiber, per fruit, Clementines are the perfect snack options for Diabetic and non-diabetics in general.






"Can I please have a 'real' dessert?", quipped Sid, as I handed him a Clementine after dinner.

As a diabetic and as a Bengali, I am always at my wits end when it comes to dessert. The Bengali in me craves for something sweet after every meal and the diabetic is always at the loosing end. The mind is weak!

I have found a sweet compromise in fruits. A couple of strawberries, or a handful of grapes; a slice of watermelon or few cubes of papaya or pineapple, after dinner satisfies my craving and keeps me on-track.

But the cold season screams of indulgence. I needed to do something about it. A little Googling and a faint promise of a "Snow Day" the following day, made me come up with these petite darlings.



Just 3 simple ingredients. 10 minutes of work and about 20 more minutes of impatient waiting and you have yourself a treat, that's absolutely guilt free. Sweet and orange(y) with just the right hint of salt, these cuties are seriously addictive.

Perfect for snacking. It can also double up as a very portioned controlled dessert and totally fits the bill for some late-night noshing. These bite sized nuggets are as versatile as they are addictive.

Chocolate and Orange has been a favorite combination of mine. I cannot imagine making make a chocolate without adding orange zest or orange juice. So this cute snack-cum-dessert was an absolute delight to my senses.





Sadly, Sid did not like them too much. Maybe he couldn't fathom why his chocolaty treat suddenly turned all fibrous! But he was just glad to lick the bowl of melted chocolate, spotlessly clean.

Me and Sam loved it. Noshed on it all evening and then there was none left for dinner.

So I whipped up another batch! And so will you once you try it. It's that addictive.


Recipe Snapshot: Dark Chocolate covered Clementines with a Hint of Sea Salt

Serves: 5 - 6 serving

(1 serving = about 7 to 8 pieces)

What I used:
Clementines - 4 -5, medium sized, pealed, segmented and cleaned of membranes.

Dark Chocolate - 2 oz, chopped into small bits (Ghirardelli 70% Cacao Extra Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar)

Coarse Sea Salt (Coarse Kosher Salt can also be used) - a few pinches



What I did:

1. Lay the pealed, cleaned (of membranes) and segmented Clementines on a a large baking sheet line lined with Parchment Paper.


2. In a microwave safe class bowl, melt the chopped chocolate by microwaving it in burst of 10 seconds till melted in a silky smooth puddle.

3. Dip Clementine segments in the melted Dark Chocolate and transfer to parchment lines baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle each segment with tiny pinches of coarse salt before the chocolate hardens.

4. Once all the clementines are dipped, place baking sheet in the refrigerator for about half an hour, for the chocolate to harden and set.

5. Enjoy the cold petite snack (or dessert in my case) and store the leftovers (if any) in a tightly covered containers up to 3 to 5 days.


Diabetic Platter:
Clementines, often referred as "Baby Oranges" is actually a cross between Chinese Mandarin Oranges and Oranges. They’re slightly sweeter than oranges, but surprisingly lower in sugar. They’re not just cute little oranges, but also a nutritional powerhouse!

1. One of the biggest benefits of clementines is they are a low carbohydrate fruit, meaning they won’t spike your blood Sugar. index. They have roughly 2 grams of fiber and only 8 grams total carbs per fruit. This makes them excellent to eat as a low glycemic snack. Also Clementines is a low calorie fruit. They are only 35 calories, which is incredible for a source of concentrated sugar like fruit. They’re fat free like almost all fruits, and they’re rich in antioxidants.

2. Like any other fruit of the citrus family, Clementines are crammed with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential to your skin and hair, along with your immune system. It’s also one of the best vitamins you can consume for your digestive tract. Vitamin C can help regulate your bowels, along with enhance nutrient absorption from other foods.

3. Similarly, like any other Orange hued food, Clementines are full of Beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a form of Vitamin A that is wonderful for your eyes, skin, and heart. It’s one of the most beneficial antioxidants you can consume, and rich in most all plant-based foods, but more so in orange and yellow hued produce.

Read More: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/clementines.html
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