Dark Chocolate Mendiants - 2 Ways

It's funny how sometimes the simplest things in life are the most enjoyable.  I get excited over a perfectly ripe peach or strawberry (or really, any fruit).  I also get excited about sweet treats that are not only delicious, but easy to make and pleasing to the eye.  These little mendiants fit all of the criteria.

In case you don't know the back-story of mendiants, they are a traditional French chocolate confection, simply composed of a disc of chocolate topped with nuts or dried fruit.  Traditionally, they were topped with nuts and dried fruits representative of the four monastic (mendicant) orders, but mine are not so traditional.  I simply combined some flavors I love, and voila!  A perfect little treat for you to enjoy or share.  Since these are really quick and easy to make (plus gluten free and vegan), you could whip some up for the Easter weekend in less than 30 minutes.  The recipe below is for the two types I made (toasted almond with smoked fleur de sel, and toasted coconut with goji berries), but feel free to use whatever you have and like!

   
Dark Chocolate Mendiants - 2 Ways
notes: I used a 3 oz bar of vegan friendly dark (73%) chocolate and it made 15 mendiants (2-inch each in size)

3 oz bar of dark chocolate (make sure it is vegan friendly if you are making it vegan)
2 tbsp sliced almonds, toasted
smoked sea salt
2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted
tbsp dried goji berries
about 1/4 tsp grapeseed oil (or other neutral tasting oil)

parchment or silpat for pan

In a double boiler, or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water, slowly melt your chocolate.  Once it is smooth and melted, add the oil and stir it in.  The oil will help keep the chocolate shiny once it hardens.  Remove the chocolate from the double boiler and set it aside while you prep your work area.  Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.  Using a spoon, carefully spoon and shape the chocolate into circular wafer shapes.  I was able to get about 15 and mine were about 2 inches in diameter.

For the almond & smoked fleur de sel mendiants - I carefully placed the almonds down, then topped with a sprinkling of the smoked fleur de sel.  If you want to get fancy, you can try to arrange the almonds in a pretty design.

For the toasted coconut & goji berry mendiants - I placed a few toasted coconut flakes down and then a few goji berries.

Once you have all of your mendiants decorated, place them in the fridge to set up for a couple of hours, and then enjoy!