Do you know what day it is today? It's National Chocolate Day! And what better way to celebrate than by cooking up some delicious chocolate recipes? We offer a variety for everyone, whether you desire something sweet or something savory. From chocolate-covered bacon to chocolate-dipped strawberries, we've got an entire menu of chocolate dishes both savory and sweet. So get ready to indulge in all things chocolate today!

Different Types of Chocolate

Here are the different types of chocolates that have different flavor profiles and can add different tastes to the dishes you create or even if consumed as it is:

- Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter but not milk or butter like milk chocolate. Bitter chocolate or unsweetened chocolate is dark chocolate that has no extra sugar. It is high in minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. These minerals are used in your body to support factors such as immunity (zinc), and bone and tooth health (phosphorus), and contribute to better sleep quality (magnesium).

- Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate is a type of solid chocolate that contains cocoa, sugar, and milk. Chocolate was first marketed and used as a beverage in pre-Columbian times and later in Western Europe. Milk chocolate has a sweet and chocolaty flavor profile, with overtones of boiled milk and caramelized sugar and a vanilla aftertaste. Milk chocolate is regarded as a bar of decent middle-of-the-road chocolate.

- White Chocolate: White chocolate is a delicate ivory-colored chocolate confection prepared from cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, and sometimes vanilla. White chocolate excludes the cocoa solids found in other types of chocolate, such as milk and dark chocolate. The taste of real white chocolate is sweet and buttery, with traces of vanilla and fresh milk.

Sea-Salt Chocolate Crostini Recipe

Ingredients:

-1 baguette, sliced thinly (1/2 inch)

- 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

- 2 tbsp unsalted butter

- Coarse sea salt

- Shaved almonds (optional)

Instructions:

- First, set the temperature of your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and arrange the baguette slices onto a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 5-7 minutes, until they are lightly browned and crispy.

- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt together the chocolate and butter, stirring constantly until smooth.

- Spread the chocolate onto the toasted baguette slices and sprinkle with coarse sea salt and shaved almonds, if using. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Savory Chocolate Barbecue Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1 tablespoon brown sugar

- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

- 4 chicken breasts

Instructions:

- First, mix together the barbecue sauce, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.

- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the barbecue mixture over top.

- To bake this dish, cover it with aluminum foil and place it in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

- Make your favorite side dish to go with this meal, and you'll be all set!

Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers

- ¼ cup of melted butter

- 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, melted

- 16 ounces of cream cheese, softened

- ¾ cup of sugar

- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

- 2 eggs

- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

- ½ cup of sour cream

Instructions:

- Set the temperature of the oven to 325 degrees and lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.

- Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small mixing dish. Press the mixture into the prepared pan's bottom.

- In a separate bowl, mix the melted chocolate, cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and sour cream. Using a spoon, you will want to pour over the crust.

- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the middle is nearly set. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!

Overall, chocolate can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes to add depth and richness to your cooking. Don't be afraid to experiment with different kinds of chocolate in your kitchen, from milk chocolate to white chocolate to dark chocolate! Happy cooking!