Chocolate Dipped Clementines with Pistachio Sprinkles

The ingredients on this pretty plate are nutritious and seasonal, making this creation not only good for you, but easy on your wallet, as well. We all know it can be a challenge to both eat well and keep the budget in the check during December, but this sweet yet healthy treat proves that it’s an achievable task. 

A welcome change to the traditional tastes of the holidays, it's nice to offer the kids something other than peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog for holiday-inspired snacking. Sadly, I can't send these citrusy sweets into the classroom thanks to the pistachio sprinkles, but a quick swap of toasted coconut in place of the nuts can make them a school-friendly snack in just a jiffy.

While it seems as though I'm only touting these as treats for the kids, be sure to make extras for the adults you have hanging around - I know quite a few who would be thrilled to find these plated alongside a stack of homemade cookies and other decadent dessert squares.

Tell me, do you have a favourite healthy holiday nibble you like to serve up to your family?

 

Chocolate Dipped Clementines with Pistachio Sprinkles

• Clementines, room temperature
• Pistachios (1-2 per segment of fruit)
• Dark or semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. per piece of fruit)

Peel the clementines and separate the fruit into segments; remove any excess pith from the pieces. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Peel the pistachios and discard the shells. Place the nuts in a food processor and pulse two or three times, or until the nuts are the size of candy sprinkles. Alternatively, they can be chopped by hand, if desired.

Melt the chocolate in a medium-sized heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring frequently until thick, smooth, and glossy.

Dip the bottom half of each orange segment into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip back into the saucepan. Place the dipped segments on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle the pistachios over the chocolate. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and refrigerate uncovered fruit for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate has set. Store in a cool place.

Comments

[Paula]

These are a perfect treat!

[Chocolate Shavings]

These are so pretty Jan! We always have a big basket of fruit and nuts around the holidays -- usually with dried figs, apricots, walnuts, whole hazelnuts and clementines. But I love the addition of chocolate with the citrus -- yum!