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Course: Sauces & Condiments
Keyword: Appetizers, Chocolate, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Salads

Cocoa Nib Vinaigrette

Cocoa nib vinaigrette on three different salads.
ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 3 /4 cup
That's right, I invented a salad with chocolate. Turns out, cocoa nibs, those roasted seed things that chocolate comes from, are really good in salad, especially salads that contain fruit.
This recipe first appeared in EveryDayCook.
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Software

  • 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake

Specialized Hardware

  • Coffee/spice grinder
Cocoa nib vinaigrette on three different salads.
ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 3 /4 cup

Procedure

  • Pulse the cocoa nibs in a coffee/spice grinder 4 to 5 times, until finely ground.
  • Combine the ground cocoa nibs and olive oil in a 1-quart saucepan and heat over low heat until warm and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the vinegar, shallots, salt, and red pepper flake and steep until the mixture comes to room temperature, about 1 hour.
  • Transfer the mixture to a jar, twist on the lid, and shake like crazy to combine.

Salad Suggestions to Dress in Cocoa Nib Vinaigrette

  • Combine 8 ounces torn butter lettuce, 1 diced avocado, 2 sliced oranges, 2 ounces dried cherries, 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate shavings, and 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs. Drizzle dressing over salad and consume.
  • Combine 8 ounces chopped endive or radicchio, 1 cup halved green grapes, 2 ounces crumbled, cooked bacon, 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese, 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate shavings, and 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs. Drizzle dressing over salad and consume.
  • Combine 8 ounces spring mix, 1 cup halved strawberries, 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese, 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate shavings, and 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs. Drizzle dressing over salad and consume.
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