For a healthy alternative to satisfy your sweet tooth, try these chocolate medallions topped with a crunchy layer of popped kiwicha.
Kiwicha is a super grain that grows in the Andes of Peru.. When “popped,” this nutritious grain adds a crunchy later to these these healthy chocolate medallions.
Ingredients (makes 18 medallions)
- ½ cup popped kiwicha
- 1 bar of dark chocolate (100g), 73%
Tools
- Medium sauté pan with lid to pop kiwicha
- Small sauce pot
- Small stainless steel bowl
- Rubber spatula
- Small sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Small metal spoon
Directions for kiwicha chocolate medallions
For the popped kiwicha:
1. Heat a medium sauté pan over high heat until the entire surface is extremely hot. Add 1 tablespoon of kiwicha and evenly distribute it in the pan. No oil is needed. Cover the pan with a glass lid and allow the grains to “pop” until white, roughly 30 seconds, making sure to move the pan over the heat to ensure even heat distribution. When popped, remove the kiwicha from the heat and immediately transfer to a bowl.
2. Repeat step 1 until the desired amount of kiwicha is popped. It may take a round or two of trial and error to get the heat, movement of the pan, and the timing just right, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time, and then popping kiwicha will be fun as well as practical.
For the chocolate medallions:
1. Finely chop chocolate and place in a stainless steel bowl.
2. Fill a small saucepot with 3-4 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place bowl of chocolate so it sits on top of the saucepot without touching the water. Lower heat to a simmer and stir chocolate until melted. Once melted, remove bowl from heat and stir until smooth and shiny.
3. Place a piece of parchment on top of the baking sheet. Using a small metal spoon, pour small pools of melted chocolate onto the parchment paper, leaving each medallion some room to spread out. Before the chocolate hardens, sprinkle each chocolate medallion with a generous layer of popped kiwicha.
4. Allow the chocolate to harden for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator before eating.
Cover photo: Manuel Villacorta
This article has been updated from its original publication in 2014.
