[2] For a bigger bite (and they’re even easier to make): chocolate-covered nut clusters (photo courtesy Lindt USA).

[3] Nuts setting on parchment paper (photo courtesy Paleo Lezap).

Why don’t we make chocolate-covered nuts as gifts…and, not selflessly, for our own snacking. You need only two ingredients: chocolate and nuts.

Melt the chocolate, toss in the nuts: It’s that easy.

Among the choice of confections, we think of chocolate-covered nuts as almost guilt-free.

 
You can use any nuts you wish, but the “magnificent seven,” those with the lowest saturated fats, are:

 
But if your preference is for cashews or macadamias, go for it!

You can use your chocolate of choice—dark, milk, white—but the darker the chocolate, the more flavonoids—the antioxidants that provide health benefits*. Milk chocolate doesn’t have much of them.

The following recipe makes individually-covered nuts, but it’s even easier to make clusters:

You don”t have to remove individual nuts from the chocolate. Just scoop the chocolate-covered nuts out with a tablespoon.
 
 
RECIPE: CHOCOLATE COVERED NUTS

This recipe is from Paleo Leap.

Prep time is 10 minutes, cook time is 10 minutes.

Ingredients For 4 Servings

 
Preparation

1. COVER a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring until fully melted. Stir the almonds into the chocolate, and toss until well coated.

2. REMOVE the nuts with a fork or a slotted spoon (shake to eliminate excess chocolate) and place onto the baking sheet and sprinkle almonds with sea salt. Set aside until the chocolate is set.

To make nut clusters: Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet.

3. STORE in the fridge until ready to serve.

*Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory benefits, cardiovascular system benefits, and support a healthy nervous system (nerve regeneration, cognitive function, etc.).