Surprising Seaweed Chocolate
Surprising Seaweed Chocolate
Homemade Seaweed Chocolate Recipe: A Healthy Treat for Children’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a time for sweet gifts. My daughter absolutely loves chocolate, so this year, I decided to make a healthier version. At first glance, it looks just like any store-bought chocolate, but you’ll be amazed by the secret ingredient: seaweed, a true treasure from the sea, packed with health benefits! Let me guide you through making this fascinating and healthy ‘Seaweed Chocolate’.
Ingredients- Soaked dried seaweed 300g (squeeze out excess water)
- Starch (tapioca starch, etc.) 100g
- Water 150ml
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Salt 2 pinches
- Couverture chocolate or milk chocolate, as needed
- Butter 1/2 Tbsp (optional, for chocolate coating)
- Mixed nuts, as needed (a variety is recommended)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the dried seaweed in cold water until softened. Then, thoroughly rinse it by rubbing with your hands. It’s crucial to squeeze out as much water as possible.
Step 2
In a blender, combine the squeezed seaweed and 150ml of water. Blend until smooth. For a silkier texture, blend it as finely as possible.
Step 3
Tip: Instead of blending into a complete puree, you can leave some texture for a pleasant chewiness. This adds to the overall eating experience.
Step 4
In a bowl, dissolve 100g of starch in 150ml of water, ensuring there are no lumps. Then, add the blended seaweed mixture and stir well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 5
Now, add 2 pinches of salt and mix again thoroughly. Salt subtly enhances the seaweed’s flavor and brings out its natural sweetness.
Step 6
Transfer the seaweed mixture to a microwave-safe container. Cover it with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the wrap with a toothpick or skewer. Microwave for 3 minutes.
Step 7
After 3 minutes, remove from the microwave, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil, and mix well. Sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and a smoother texture. Re-cover with pierced plastic wrap and microwave for another 3 minutes.
Step 8
Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage. Check periodically. The mixture is ready when it becomes sticky and dough-like, resembling mochi or rice cake. If it’s still too soft, microwave in 1-2 minute increments until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 9
Lightly grease the container you’ll use for setting the chocolate with oil or butter. This step is essential for easy removal later.
Step 10
Pour the sticky seaweed mixture into the prepared container. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, pressing down to eliminate any air pockets. This will help it set more firmly.
Step 11
Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate or place in a very cold spot for several hours until firm. You can even forget about it for a while; it just needs ample time to set.
Step 12
Once firm, carefully invert the container to release the seaweed block. It should have a texture similar to jelly or rice cake – firm yet slightly chewy.
Step 13
Cut the block into bite-sized pieces (squares or rectangles). You can enjoy these as is, perhaps with a soy-based dipping sauce like a jelly, or notice how similar the texture is to ‘ssuktteok’ (mugwort rice cake). Coating them with toasted soybean powder would even give them a mugwort flavor!
Step 14
Now, let’s prepare for the chocolate coating. Melt the chocolate using a double boiler method – never melt it directly in a pot, as it can easily burn. Adding a small amount of butter (about 1/2 Tbsp) to the chocolate while melting makes it smoother, richer, and slower to set, which is ideal for coating.
Step 15
Dip the cut seaweed pieces into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon or fork to ensure each piece is evenly coated. While delicious as is, we’ll add a finishing touch for a more appealing look.
Step 16
Next is the ‘perfect crime’ step – adding the nuts! We’ll sprinkle nuts over the chocolate-coated seaweed pieces.
Step 17
If you have a mix of nuts, crush them lightly using a mortar and pestle or place them in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin to achieve a desired size. Place the chocolate-coated seaweed pieces, chocolate side up, and generously sprinkle the crushed nuts over them, pressing gently to adhere. Once coated with nuts, they’ll look remarkably like store-bought crunchy chocolates!
Step 18
Let the finished seaweed chocolates set in the refrigerator. Once firm, they make wonderful gifts. Present a healthy homemade treat filled with your love and care. Handmade chocolates are always more meaningful. Your recipients will surely be intrigued and delighted upon discovering the secret ingredient!
Step 19
The finished seaweed chocolates boast an impressive appearance, very similar to delicious crunchy chocolates found in stores.
Step 20
They look beautiful and incredibly appetizing, don’t they? My daughter absolutely loved these seaweed chocolates and asked for more!
Step 21
What’s the taste like? The sweet chocolate coating comes first, followed by a subtle, nutty flavor from the seaweed. The crunchy nuts at the end add another layer of texture and nutty goodness. The smooth chocolate seems to embrace the seaweed’s flavor. The seaweed’s taste and smell aren’t overpowering, so children won’t detect it at all. And, of course, with seaweed, they’re incredibly healthy!
Step 22
Seaweed is rich in alginic acid, which is known to aid in detoxification. We can hope that the seaweed absorbs any less desirable elements from the chocolate. These are certainly a much healthier alternative to conventional chocolates. The high seaweed content makes them reassuringly good for you.
Step 23
I tasted them myself, and they’re surprisingly delicious! There’s a very faint hint of seaweed, but it’s so subtle that children definitely won’t notice. I feel much better knowing I can provide such a healthy treat.
Step 24
Share your love and well-being with family, partners, and friends by gifting these unique ‘Seaweed Chocolates’ made from nutritious seaweed. Instead of ordinary snacks, these make for an extraordinary treat and a thoughtful, special gift!
