Sunday, September 13, 2020

CHOCOLATE IN THE TIME OF COVID: Guest Post by Janet Rudolph + #giveaway and #chocolate #recipe!




Please welcome back a beloved and honored member of our mystery community, a true chocolate maven, and one of our favorite fellow bloggers. Take it away, Janet Rudolph!  ~ Cleo


T
hanks, Cleo and Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, for inviting me. Many of you know I’m the Editor of the Mystery Readers Journal, blogger at Mystery Fanfare and DyingforChocolate, mystery convention organizer, and host of Literary Salons for mystery authors. I am also a chocolate judge at International Chocolate Salons. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. 

Not surprising, then, that Cleo asked me to blog about chocolate, and I knew what I wanted to write about: Chocolate, the Pandemic, Lockdown, Economic Recession, and how we’re all responding during these uncertain times. 

Some people took up exercise. Not me. I took up chocolate. Early on I began stockpiling chocolate for personal consumption (much more rewarding than toilet paper). Chocolate for me is a source of indulgence and comfort in these times of uncertainty. I ordered 15 of my favorite bars of Beyond Good (formerly known as Madecasse) 72% cacao bars. 

I justified my decision to consume chocolate knowing the many benefits of eating dark chocolate. As if one needs a reason to eat chocolate? But research has shown that dark chocolate increases heart health, balances the immune system, improves brain function, boosts athletic performance, and reduces stress. And, we are all deeply stressed during this pandemic and the economic recession.

According to Nielsen data, during the 17-week period that ended on June 27, U.S. consumers spent $3.7 billion on chocolate, up 6.3% from that time period last year. Americans spent over $2.9 billion on single serve and multi-serve versions of the chocolate. Dark chocolate sales were up 13.6%. Additionally, in the last month, forty percent said they purchased more chocolate as a result of COVID-19.

So what else besides chocolate consumption has spiked during the pandemic? Baking. How many banana breads have you made since the onset of Covid 19? I tried so many different Banana Bread recipes that my family and neighbors could hardly eat them all. Being a chocoholic, all of my banana breads contained chocolate chips. But for today’s post, I’d like to share my favorite recipe for Pandemic Chocolate Banana Bread. I mean, why not double the chocolate?

CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD 

WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Ingredients:

3 very ripe bananas

1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

2 Tbsp cooking oil

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp Kosher salt

1 cup all-purpose flour 

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch process is best—but whatever you have)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9x5-inch loaf pan. 

Mash bananas in large bowl (I usually add a fourth banana and leave it lumpier). Add melted butter and oil to combine. Whisk in egg, vanilla, sour cream, and brown sugar until smooth. 

In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Stir into wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in half the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared pan and top with remaining chocolate chips. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out kind of clean.

Cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove loaf and place on wire rack. 



Janet's blogs are an absolute treat to follow. 

Check them out at the links below:

Mystery Readers Journal

Mystery Fanfare

Dying for Chocolate


Leave a comment on this blog post for 
a chance to win a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card

Congrats to our winner:

Holly S.!


Have you been eating more chocolate lately? Do you have a favorite Pandemic Chocolate Recipe you’d care to share? Janet would love to see it! Be sure to post your comment below...


72 comments:

  1. Thank you for the opportunity. My favorite chocolate recipe is Candy Bar pie II from Allrecipes. The secret is to use a really good chocolate bar. I use Choceur milk chocolate with hazelnuts from Aldi’s. suefoster109 at gmail dot com

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  2. Hello I'm a big fan of Cleo from Japan. Thank you for sharing your nice recipe. I like add AMANATTO--Japanese traditional frosted bean sweets-- to chocolate cake!

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Moe - I am waving to you from NYC. Amanatto sounds like a lovely treat. I'll have to try it! Thank you so much for stopping by. xoxo

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    2. OMG😂! Hello, Thank You, I love you!!!
      I am always waiting your new story 😄

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    3. OMG! Thank your for your reply! I love your stories and recipes very much. Thank you for making my reading time happier!

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    4. Thank you, Moe, for being so sweet. Sending my love to you. xoxo

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  3. I have been eating a little more chocolate since all this craziness with COVID-19 started. This recipe I am going to try and enjoy when I get off work today.
    Kitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net

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  4. I definitely have been eating more chocolate during this pandemic. But I’ve also been walking more so I’m hoping it balances out! Thank you for the chance.
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. It just so happens that I was planning to bake banana bread today......I think it’s time to try a new recipe! :). biszemom(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I love chocolate. It is my go to treat when I want some thing sweet. I have a chocolate pudding recipe that my Mother gave me that I make often. I grow zucchini in my garden and many baked goods recipes with zucchini are usually chocolate. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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    Replies
    1. Now THAT'S s fun way to get your daily vegetables!

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  7. Love chocolate, and yes I have been eating/baking more 🍫. Homemade peanut butter cups have been our thing. Thanks for the chance. Jenandalana(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  8. I have been eating more chocolate. My hubby does all the cooking/baking. He’s made brownies and chocolate chip cookies for me. He puts extra chips in my cookies. The banana bread recipe appeals!

    Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

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  9. We love both the Chocolate No Bake Oatmeal Cookies, which most people have the recipe for since it's been around for ages. We also love the Chocolate Pecan Angel Cookies and I've included that recipe below. Not only are they super easy, they are made with only 4 ingredients plus the limited quantities keep you from eating 4-5 dozen because they are very addictive.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card!
    CHOCOLATE PECAN ANGEL COOKIES

    Ingredients
    1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
    1 cup chopped pecans
    1 cup powdered sugar
    1 egg white
    Instructions
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    Combine the chocolate chips, pecans, and sugar in a medium-size bowl.
    Add the egg white and mix well.
    Using a cookie scoop, drop scoops of the cookie batter on a non-stick baking mat (or a well greased cookie sheet).
    Bake for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and cookies are set.
    Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes.
    Remove the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
    Store in an airtight container.
    Makes 24 cookies
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  10. Chocolate is, and always has been, my favorite food group. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. Definitely need to try this. Thanks for sharing! Joliver284@yahoo.com

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  12. Welcome today. Thank you for this yummy looking recipe. What interesting statistics here. Now that I think about it, I have been eating more chocolate lately. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  13. Thanks, Kay, for the recipe for Chocolate Pecan Angel Cookies. I'm going to make them this week.

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    Replies
    1. Kay's cookies sound tasty to me, too. A nice twist to the traditional nut cookie.

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    2. Same goes for me, as I love anything with pecans and this sounds easy- peasy! I wonder how many of us will be making both Janet's chocolate banana bread and Kay's angel cookies this week?! I foresee a run on chocolate chips in the near future! ;)

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    3. And, you can always add nuts to the Chocolate Banana Bread recipe. I do..

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  14. Chocolate is so soothing and I have been enjoying the treat everyday in order to manage. I walk and the chocolate makes life enjoyable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Your recipe is so enticing and yummy. I love the loaf and the combination of flavors. Perfect for fall. I will be making it this week for the family yo enjoy. Chocolate has always been a favorite flavor of mine. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. Everyone who knows me knows I'm the chocolate person! Probably the same way you are, Janet.

    For a variety of reasons I began having a square of dark chocolate with coffee every morning for breakfast, starting in 1987. My doctor is astonished at my cholesterol numbers, which are spectacular, and I keep telling her it's because I have dark chocolate every day. kmaslowski(at)fuse(dot)net

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    1. Also, Chocolate Sparkle Cookies, made with almond meal instead of flour. So good.

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    2. Recipe? I have really cut down on gluten.

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    3. They're fabulous, Janet.

      https://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-sparkle-cookies-95852

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  17. That chocolate banana bread sounds amazing! I haven't eaten more chocolate but I do love it.

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  18. I'm not a big banana bread person, but with double chocolate in it, I could be convinced!
    Chocolate Crack(le) Cookies are always a hit.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. I love Chocolate Krinkle cookies. Same thing?

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    2. Probably. Double dipped in granulated sugar and then confectioners sugar.

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  19. Just dropping in to thank Janet Rudolph again for her fabulous post. And thanks to everyone for joining in the chocolate fun with your comments. xoxo

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  20. Oh, boy, does that sound GOOD! Gonna have to let some bananas go to far just so I can make it...

    Thanks so much for visiting and cheering us all up on this smokey Sunday!

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    Replies
    1. My pleasure. If I can't be outside in the garden, I can be inside baking. :-) Be safe.

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  21. I love dark chocolate - one favorite is Trader Joe's 73% Dark Belgian Chocolate Covered Almonds. When I bake it's usually dark chocolate brownies.
    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  22. Janet! Welcome to the Kitchen! Do you have a favorite baking chocolate? I've used Scharffen Barger for years but it's suddenly not available, and I'm casting about for good bulk chocolate.

    Thanks for visiting with us!

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    Replies
    1. I use every kind of chocolate for baking, but if I had to choose it would be Guittard. Fabulous!!!! Most of my chef friends use it.

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  23. Sadly, a few months in to the Covid mess, I had a heart attack and also got diagnosed with type II diabetes, so I have to be careful with my chocolate consumption. The good news is, dark chocolate, in moderation, is actually good for heart and diabetes health, so I can have small pieces of it as a treat still. zukeeper.geo (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear about your health. Chocolate, as you mentioned, is good for heart and diabetes..in moderation. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. I've been eating about the same amount of chocolate, trying to be cognizant since I'm not exercising as much. But pretty much every batch of cookies I've baked have been chocolate chip. Nothing else appeals to me currently. seboggs(at)comcast(dot)net

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  25. I love chocolate, the darker the better! Once, a few squares of 90% cacao baking chocolate was left over from a recipe. Of course I ate it!

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  26. I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I have been eating more chocolate during the pandemic and it's still a treat. Looking forward to trying your recipe for the chocolate banana bread.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I love chocolate! I’ve been making brownies lately...I forgot how good they are! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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  28. Just added chocolate chips to my list after seeing your recipe! I ate my last square of chocolate last night, but we still have both chocolate chip and fudge stripe cookies in the pantry, so I'm good for today.
    lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  29. Oh wow, does that look good or what? Thanks for the recipe. Unfortunately I think I've been eating a lot more of everything during the pandemic. Dark chocolate is a special treat and I do try to portion it out. How about Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips? Combines all the favorites, doesn't it? I've been making this for years I think it started out as a Taste of Home recipe with some tweaks. Nothing from Taste of Home is very healthy, but it's tasty!

    Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
    Ingredients
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    Instructions
    1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease an 9×5-inch loaf pan.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
    3. In another bowl, mix together the bananas, eggs, peanut butter, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and mix just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
    4. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes, covering the top with foil when it starts to get brown. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to cool completely on a cooling rack.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Wow! All the food groups. Sounds great. Thanks for posting!

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  30. I wouldn't say I'm eating more chocolate than normal. My normal is to already eat a lot of it.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  31. I just love this recipe! I am out of work, so I plan on cooking this coming up this weekend. I have been eating more than ever of everything.

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  32. I eat chocolate all of the time so not eating more.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  33. I have a small piece of dark chocolate every day. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  34. I always have to have a piece if chocolate after dinner and this recipe sounds AMAZING!
    hollystover13(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Congratulations, Holly S., you won the gift card giveaway. Check your email and reply to receive your prize. I hope you enjoy it!

      Thanks to everyone for leaving such wonderful comments, and thanks again to Janet Rudolph for being such a fabulous guest. Be well and stay safe, everyone! xoxo

      ~ Cleo

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  35. Yes. I have been enjoying some pieces of chocolate candy recently.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  36. I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. And I have to admit that one recipe I've used a few times was the chocolate root bee float cake from your blog Dying for Chocolate. Thanks for the chance to win! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Sometimes I add nuts to this recipe. Just an FYI..

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  38. Yum! I have put chocolate chips in regular banana bread quite often...have not taken this next step! Thanks for the chance to win! JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. I rarely eat chocolate. It makes me sneeze. If I eat too much...hives. But, that doesn't usually happen because I don't eat very much of it at once. I know my limits.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  40. Stockpiling chocolate makes so much more sense to me than stockpiling toilet paper! I have been working on perfecting a chocolate chip cookie recipe. I'm not sure I will ever consider myself "done" because the practice is so much fun! cindystamps(at)juno(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Would love to see your recipe when you 'perfect' it!

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  41. I haven't really been eating more chocolate than usual during this stressful time, but I do thoroughly enjoy a few squares of Ghiradelli Twilight Delight 72 Cacao every few days or so! The Chocolate Banana Bread looks yummy and is so dark in color that I almost could smell the chocolate! Yum!! Renee (mickeymania 1@aol.com)

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  42. OMG! I love chocolate and bananas and this looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  43. I’ve just been eating more than usual in general, although chocolate is definitely one of the best stress relievers. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  44. I love chocolate especially dark chocolate but sadly have had to cut back due to stomach issues.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. I have been buying more peanut butter cups for sure! JL_Minter(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. I prefer white chocolate but love peanut butter and chocolate! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)dom

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  47. So fun! I am defiantly goin to try the recipe. Chocolate lover unite!

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  48. Chocolate is good and I love to bake (and to eat!) but this time of year, and only this time of year, I have to have candy corn!

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  49. Congratulations to our comment winner, Holly S., who won the gift card giveaway! Thanks to everyone for leaving such wonderful comments, and thanks especially to Janet Rudolph for being such a fabulous guest. Be well and stay safe, everyone. xoxo

    ~ Cleo

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