Of Love and Chocolate

Holidays shared with the ones we love nearly always have some not-so-subtle connection to one chocolaty treat or another. What Easter goes by without Cadbury Eggs or chocolate bunnies? Would a festive Christmas season seem so festive without fudge or hot cocoa? Or what about Hanukkah without dreidels and gelt? But, when it comes to the connection between love and chocolate in its most primal state, most people immediately think of Valentine's Day.

Chocolate has been hailed as "food of the gods" by the ancient Maya, touted as an aphrodisiac by many cultures since the 1800s, and used as a prime ingredient in love potions by even the most modern Pagans and Naturists. Its health benefits have been studied and modern science has been able to identify many complex compounds in chocolate that may affect the human body in some very interesting ways.

One of the more well known substances in chocolate is theobromine (THEE-oh-BRO-meen), an alkaloid similar to caffeine. This compound is a mild stimulant and, much like coffee, is also a mild coarse muscle group relaxer like some asthma medications. So while making one feel more alert, it may also make one feel more at ease. Another compound, commonly referred to as "the love drug," is phenylethylamine (FEE-nil-ETH-el-AM-meen). This chemical, also a mild stimulant, has been shown to raise both blood sugar and blood pressure, thus amplifying said feelings of ease and contentment. Evidently, a lot of the warm, fuzzy feelings one experiences when in love can be accentuated by chocolate.

For those health-conscious lovers out there, take heart. While high in sugar and fat, your average Hershey bar contains a noticeable level of polyphenols (PAUL-ee-FEEN-alls), a family of powerful antioxidants. In addition to battling free radicals which can damage cells in your valentine's body, these and other compounds in chocolate raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels while leaving LDL (bad cholesterol) levels unchanged.

While a good dose of chocolate may not make your valentine start ripping your clothes off, much can be said for its ability to "amp up" the physical sensations usually equated with Love. Contentment, relaxation and heightened awareness may all be side effects of what was once revered as the "food of the gods." An easy and fun way to enjoy chocolate, specifically with that special someone on Valentine's Day, is Chocolate Mousse. While a little more challenging to produce than your average box of macaroni and cheese, the final result is silky, decadent and well worth the effort. For serving, I recommend a small portion in a martini glass garnished, with a fresh strawberry or sprig of mint.

Basic Chocolate Mousse (yield 2-3 cups)

5oz. bittersweet chocolate. About 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips works fine.

3oz. unsalted butter (you may NOT substitute margarine!).

2 eggs, separated.

1oz. granulated sugar. (About 1/4 cup.)

3fl oz. heavy whipping cream.

Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave safe container. Microwave on high, slowly (30 seconds at a time, maximum) until mostly melted. Stir until completely smooth. Let cool slightly (should only feel warm to the touch), then whisk in egg yolks, one at a time. Beat egg whites to soft peaks, add sugar and continue beating to stiff peaks. Fold egg whites carefully into chocolate mixture. Here I recommend adding whites in three parts, stirring in the first addition to lighten the mix, then making sure to completely fold in the second installment before finishing with the third. There should be no visible streaks of egg white when complete. Allow the mousse to cool completely to room temperature, then whip the cream to soft peaks and fold in exactly as you did the egg whites. Spoon into martini glasses and chill 30 minutes. Garnish with strawberry fan and a sprig of mint.

Folding in ingredients takes a little practice. Using a rubber spatula, cut straight down into the center of your mixing bowl, scoop from the bottom, up the side and lift over the top of the mixture. Turn the bowl slightly and repeat, continuing to rotate your mixing bowl until you have a homogenous mixture. The idea here is to incorporate all your ingredients without deflating either your egg whites or your whipped cream. It may require a few attempts for you to master this technique, but not only is it well worth it, you will still get to eat your mistakes.

Although suggesting one use chocolate as a kind of lover's secret weapon would be unethical, if romance is in the air for you this Valentine's Day, consider adding a little sweet treat to your plans. It may help set the right mood or allow those budding feelings of love to blossom fully. For those of you who, like myself, have been celebrating with the same valentine for years, a little chocolate may help spice things up for the two of you this year. It's certainly worth a try. After all, according to Forrest Gump, you never know what you're going to get.