Chocolate Beet Torte with Dark Chocolate Ganache by Chef Martina Russial

Valentine’s Day is often a parade of all things sweet, red, and of course, chocolate!  As a holistic chef, I hold a special place in my heart for incorporating vegetables into this holiday, too (I mean they do call it V-Day, after all!) So, to celebrate why not eat something that will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you a healthy serving of veggies, minerals, and antioxidants?

This indulgent dessert will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while giving you a powerful serving of antioxidants and minerals to help with blood flow and inflammation control! Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and loaded with flavor.

Satisfy Chocolate Lovers While Giving Them the Gift of a Healthy Treat

This Chocolate Beet Torte with Dark Chocolate Ganache balances the natural sweetness of red beets with the slight bitterness and indulgence of raw cacao. It is moist, decadent and covered in a rich dark chocolate ganache that is sure to satisfy the most ardent chocolate lovers while giving them the gift of a healthy treat

What I adore about this torte is that I can have a slice of it and not immediately feel a blood sugar rollercoaster. The added fiber and minerals from the red beets and fruit garnishes make it energizing and light while providing a rich mouth feel and all the lusciousness I want in a dessert.

Beets are known for their high levels of nutrients. They are low in calories, low in fat, and contain most of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function. They are especially high in folate which is essential for heart health.

Cacao is both high in flavonoids and antioxidants which can help with blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

I use both fresh and freeze-dried fruit for the garnish to add a bright and tart flavor to the torte. The strawberries are high in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium in addition to being a delicious accompaniment! The crunch of the freeze-dried fruit also provides a crispy texture for a little zing in each bite!

Nothing says “I love you” more than something sweet that is also good for your heart! Help protect the hearts and bodies of those you love while enlivening their taste buds with this festive torte!

Check out the recipe below or learn more about Chef Martina and the rest of the Holistic Chef Team by visiting our faculty page.

Chocolate Beet Torte with Dark Chocolate Ganache

Serves | 6

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Beet Torte

• 2 ½ cups beets, roasted and peeled
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup raw cacao powder (cocoa powder as substitute)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Dark Chocolate Ganache

• 4oz full fat coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4oz dark chocolate (70-80% cacao), cut into ¼” pieces
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS

Chocolate Beet Torte

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Heat the water and coconut sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Blend the beets with syrup until smooth.
4. Add in eggs, oil, vanilla, cacao and salt and blend until well combined.
5. Pour batter into a well-greased and parchment lined 10-inch spring form pan.
6. Bake at 325°F for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow to cool completely and then decorate with fresh fruit, freeze-dried strawberry and mango pieces, and coconut chocolate ganache!

Dark Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat coconut milk and vanilla in a small saucepan until it reaches a simmer.
2. Pour hot liquid over chocolate pieces and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl.
3. Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes and then whisk until smooth.