Customer Reviews

Enlightened Chocolate: More Than 200 Decadently Light, Lowfat, and Inspired Recipes Using Dark Chocolate and Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

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I went on to Amazon looking for exactly such a book as this. I've read article after article on the health benefits of chocolate and cocoa, but rarely any good health-inspired recipes (with the exception of the ubiquitous hot cocoa made with skim milk).

Then I stumbled across Enlightened Chocolate. It's a goldmine. This is a brilliant book, and I do not use that description often. The author has created a modern classic here: comprehensive (yet clear and concise) explanation of the science news on the healthfulness of dark chocolate and cocoa (I should add an incredible, detailed bibliography on the subject, too), and stellar recipes that reflect both classic and modern tastes.

The chapter on using chocolate and cocoa in savory dishes is groundbreaking. I have only seen such attempts by the most skilled of chefs (think Iron Chef), but here are fresh interpretation that anyone can make with ease. I made the vegetarian chickpeas with spinach and Indian spices, which also has a bit of cocoa powder to enrich the flavors. Outstanding! And so simple to make. The chocolate yogurt (so simple: cocoa powder and honey mixed into plain yogurt, then topped with fresh berries) is now one of my regular breakfasts--such a light a healthy, not to mention incredibly delicious way to get so many healthful ingredients into a simple-to-make breakfast. And the baking--well, lets just say that the double chocolate cookies and chocolate cheesecake are beyond compare; taste anything but "light" and are rich with chocolate flavor.

The book has meticulous instructions that are invaluable to any level of home cook. The photographs that begin the book are gorgeous, and will tempt everyone in to baking and cooking up a storm. If you follow her directions exactly, you will have success. I love this book.

This is by far the best chocolate book I've come across in years. Cutting edge and delectable in every way. A winner in every way!

I bought this book because it got great reviews, contained a wide range of recipes and used only dark chocolate. You can reduce calories and fat grams in chocolate recipes without using lots of 'lite' ingredients. However, in this book low-fat and non-fat products are used extensively, including egg substitute. Even for an experienced baker it is difficult to judge how to rework the recipes for non-reduced products. For someone who eats low-glycemic, this is not a good cookbook. Also, the author insists on using non-Dutch processed cocoa whereas Cooks Illustrated feels that dutched cocoa gives better flavor. So now I have a box of each. Warning - do not substitute! it messes up the leavening.

This is an article originally published in the Ottumwa (Iowa) Courier Feb. 17, 2010.

By JEFF HUTTON
Courier Associate Editor
If Camilla Saulsbury had her way, chocolate would be listed as its own food group.
But since it's not, she has found a way to incorporate the dark, rich goodness of chocolate into sweet and savory recipes that are decadently light and easy to make.
In her new cookbook, "Enlightened Chocolate," Saulsbury has created more than 200 recipes from cakes and cheesecakes to salads, sauces and roasts. All involve the use of dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder -- lighter and healthier alternatives than traditional chocolate and processed cocoa powder.
"I love chocolate," Saulsbury said during an interview with the Courier from her home in Texas. "And it's good for your health, too."
Saulsbury says our obsession for chocolate is grounded in science. Researchers have long pointed to the fact that chocolate makes one feel better. And the antioxidants that dark chocolate provides is evidence of the health benefits.
And so it made sense to Saulsbury that she should not just focus on sweets and desserts. Chocolate can be incorporated into all sorts of dishes -- from breakfast to dinner.
"There really is a very long and rich history of using chocolate in savory dishes," she said.
Chocolate is used as a flavoring agent in many rubs and sauces. Saulsbury's grilled pork kebabs with Cuban cocoa-rum glaze is just one example of using cocoa powder in a savory dish.
"I realized I could use [chocolate] is spicy [and savory] cuisine ... that was really fun ..." she said.
Saulsbury said the cookbook is the result of trying new ideas with healthier versions of chocolate. She's hopeful readers will do the same in their kitchens.
"I hope that after they use the cookbook, [readers] will find a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder and start paying with it; incorporate chocolate into their recipes," she said. "You can have your chocolate every day and not feel guilty about it."

I bought this book to incorporate healthier options of eating foods that were decadent in flavor and had good for you ingredients. This book does not disappoint! Whether you're looking for yummy treats or flavorful dinner meals, this book is a must! Who knew all the ways you could use chocolate and get spectacular results!

Wow...this is a special book in every way: stellar recipes, witty writing, and a fascinating topic. The recipes I've tried have all been easy to prepare, and all are beautiful to behold and oh-so-delicious to eat; the dark chocolate panini, chocolate yogurt with fresh berries and chocolate flecked multi-grain muffins are now part of my weekly repertoire, and I swear my boyfriend was on the verge of proposing after tasting the chocolate-cardamom pots de crème. As a self-proclaimed health nut, chocoholic, and foodie, this is already becoming a dog-eared, chocolate-stained favorite among my many cookbooks. Love it!

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (12/07)

"Enlightened Chocolate" is an elegantly-designed cookbook focused on recipes using dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder. Why these two ingredients? The Introduction explains the reasoning, the history, and the health benefits of these ingredients. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Saulsbury goes on to says that good chocolate is like fine wine, and an informed choice on what ingredients to choose is provided in the beginning pages.

Once you have the best ingredients in stock, it is time to start cooking. The cookbook provides over 200 recipes that are low in fat and calories. There are recipes for drinks, cookies, candies, cakes, pies, soufflés, and even main dishes. All include dark chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder. I tested the Mocha-Chip Crispy Rice Bars and the Spiced Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Both were delicious and easy to make. I can't wait to try the pudding, the cheesecake, the muffins, and more.

All chocoholics out there will love this book! As a chocoholic, I appreciate the seriousness Saulsbury gives to the subject of chocolate. She provides good information upfront and great recipes in the book. Nice color photos on the first two pages made me want to drool all over the pages. I have at least two or three other chocolate cookbooks on my shelf. But I think I will get rid of them. "Enlightened Chocolate" is all I need. It provides the same recipes and more, but with better chocolate and a low-fat approach.

Received book free of charge.

I love dark chocolate and thought this would be a source of enjoyable and healthful recipes after reading all of the reviews - but I actually didn't find the recipes all that interesting. I tried a couple of them once, but after about a week I lost all interest in the book. It's now a dust catcher instead of a recipe treasure.