19 Apr Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate // My Perfect Pairing + A Giveaway!

Can we talk about chocolate for a hot second?

Because real talk, who doesn’t love chocolate? I know, there are some of you out there, but I’m convinced it’s a temporary infliction.

Take my mom for example. When I was growing up, she claimed to ‘not like’ chocolate. At the time, I took this at face value. Because when you’re 7 and your mom tells you something, you don’t question it.

Except all of a sudden, she loves it. Not like, let’s-go-grab-a-Snickers-and-ride-down-Willy-Wonka’s-Chocolate-River loves it, but more like a lick-the-chocolate-ganache-spoon-and-give-me-a-nibble-of-dark-chocolate-sea-salt-anything loves it.

See? Even if you’re not a chocolate person right now, there’s still hope for you.

My only issue with chocolate is that I can’t stop eating it. And since I started dating my sweet, lactose-intolerant Steve, I’ve acquired quite the palate for the dark stuff.

Lucky for me, he’s something of a dark chocolate hoarder. He hides it to ‘save it for later’ and I find it and eat it. By the time ‘later’ comes around, he doesn’t remember he ever had it in the first place. See how that works?

He hides, I eat. We’re both happy. Some might even say, we make a perfect pair.

Yep, I went there.

And because of our little arrangement, when Ghirardelli asked me to talk to you guys about MY perfect pairing for their 72% Twilight Delight Intense Dark Chocolate, Steve came to mind.

But sorry,  you can’t have him.

Lucky for you, this chocolate has lots of friends. And when Steve isn’t around,  I love to pair it with foods that are tart and acidic to balance out the bitterness – my two favorites are fresh berries and bold red wine.

Unfortunately, once we get into the summer months here in central Texas, my beloved red wine is much to heavy to drink.

Did I mention we’re already in the 80s here?

Which is why my favorite pairing this time of year is raspberry zinfandel sorbet. Seriously, it is the best thing ever when paired with Ghirardelli  Intense Dark Chocolate. The contrast between the rich, earthy chocolate and the cool, bright acidity of raspberry zinfandel sorbet makes this combination absolute perfection. Plus, it’s crisp & refreshing enough to be the ideal summer indulgence, and I still get my vino + chocolate fix. 

Of course plain raspberry sorbet (or even orange sherbet) would do as well, but if you’re indulging, why not go all out? (spoiler alert: recipe to come!)

So find yourself some nice tart sorbet (and maybe an extra glass of wine for good measure), put on a little mood music (may I suggest Boyz II Men?), and cuddle up to a bar (or three) of Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate. You’ll find a happy place, I promise.

Sorbet not your thing? Tell me about your pairing of choice then show it (or them) off by uploading a photo to Instagram using #IntenseDark. Or, go to the  Ghirardelli Intense Dark website to upload your photo and see how others are pairing their Ghirardelli. Let me tell ya, there are some really beautiful photos over there!

And if you’re in the Austin area, you can sample Ghirardelli’s suite of Intense Dark Chocolate products at the Austin FOOD+WINE Festival! If you get the opportunity to go (jealous) make sure you try some Ghirardelli pairings at the Grand Tasting!

Keep scrolling for giveaway entry!

As if I haven’t already overloaded you with information, you can enter below to win your very own Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate [Surprise] Gift Box! While I can’t mail you sorbet, it will contain other classic pairing items and of course, chocolate!! This contest is open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate for sponsoring today’s post and helping this girl get her chocolate fix!

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