Chocolate on the Cheap

Astute readers of this blog will have noticed by now that I love candy, especially dark chocolate. The problem with having a chocolate addiction is that it can be very costly--good chocolate isn't cheap, and candy recipes often call for large amounts of chocolate. What's a budget-minded chocophile to do?

In the past I have recommended Trader Joe's Pound Plus chocolate bars as a solution to the problem of buying large amounts of chocolate for candymaking. While the chocolate isn't exceptional, it is of fairly good quality and the price ($3.50 for over a pound of chocolate) can't be beat. Recently I made another discovery at my neighborhood Fresh & Easy store. They, too, sell 17.6-oz chocolate bars for $3.50, so of course I had to buy one and sample it. Imagine my delight when I got home, unwrapped the bar, and found that the Belgian chocolate company Callebaut makes their chocolate bars! The dark chocolate bar was smooth and smoky, with a nice shine and a crisp snap--all signs that the chocolate bar was very fresh. Of course there are better bars out there, but if you're looking for a good combination of quality and quantity, try the large bars at Trader Joe's or Fresh & Easy.
Chocolate Bar Photo ©2008 Elizabeth LaBau, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Here are today's suggestions for your Valentine's feast. I have to say, "a bowl made out of cheese" is one of the most brilliant ideas ever. Now if only someone would invent a chocolate toothbrush...
Making a Cheese Basket: A cheese basket is a bowl or dish made out of cheese that you can fill with pasta (with a not-too-liquid sauce), risotto, gnocchi, or even stew. Cheese baskets are easy to make, and make for a beautiful presentation; they're nice for a change of pace, and perfectly suited to a romantic occasion.
Valentine Meringue Cookies
If you're looking for a low-calorie, low-fat, practically guilt-free treat this Valentine's Day, try these lighter-than-air pink meringue cookies, which make a pretty, sweet treat for your sweetie.