Pomegranate Pistachio Chia Chocolate Bark

I always find it hard to wean myself off sweet treats after the Christmas holidays. So this year I decided to make myself a treat that would satisfy my holiday sweet tooth, while easing me back into a pattern of healthy eating. Dark chocolate is one of those things that I can only eat in small amounts, so it was the perfect choice. With that in mind, I set about to try my hand at making dark chocolate bark. Originally I was going to make it with cranberries and almonds, but after buying my very first fresh pomegranate, I decided to change the recipe to pomegranate pistachio chia chocolate bark. What a mistake that was. 

Here is the problem. As you devour a piece of this bark, cracking the cold chocolate with your teeth, the pomegranate seeds burst in your mouth shooting sweet juice all over your taste buds. The combination of bitter dark chocolate and fresh, sweet pomegranate juice is truly amazing. Where is the problem, you may ask. Well, my plan was to make a treat that I would only eat a little at a time. This chocolate bark, however, is completely addictive and you can’t help but take another bite… and another.

On the plus side, these pomegranate pistachio chia chocolate bark bites are actually very healthy. Here’s why:

• Dark chocolate is a surprisingly high fiber food. Just 1 ounce of dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa solids) contains 3.1 grams of fiber. That is more than 10% of a woman’s, and almost 10% of a man’s daily fiber needs. It is also a good source of iron and contains plenty of antioxidants.
• Pomegranate seeds are also a good source of  fiber, and a very good source of vitamin C and vitamin K.
• Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. In just 1 ounce of chia seeds you will find around 12 grams of fiber. They are also an excellent source of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, act as an anti-inflammatory, and protect against arthritis, cancer, and autoimmune diseases, amongst other things.
• Pistachios are another good source of fiber, with 3 grams for every 1 ounce of pistachios. They are also a good source of vitamin B6.

So despite the fact that these morsels taste like a decadent, heavenly treat, they are in fact chock full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin goodness.

Pomegranate Pistachio Chia Chocolate Bark

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

Dark chocolate bark with pomegranate, pistachios, and chia seeds.

Author: Esther Schultz

Recipe type: Sweet treat

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 7 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• ¼ cup unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Break the chocolate into pieces and put it in a double boiler until it has melted (I use a bowl over a pan of simmering water). Alternatively, heat the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave in 30-second bursts until just melted.
3. Stir the chocolate until smooth.
4. Use a spoon to drop the chocolate onto the parchment paper in rounds. If you let it drizzle off the spoon it will naturally form a circle.*
5. Gently drop a few pomegranate seeds, chopped pistachios, and a sprinkle of chia seeds onto each circle of chocolate.
6. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
7. *If you don't have the time or patience to make individual bites, you can pour all the chocolate onto the parchment paper and sprinkle all the remaining ingredients on top. Then once it has set, cut the bark into bite sized pieces.

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