My Newest Obsession

GINGER!!
Yes, I've been cooking with fresh ginger a lot lately, because, dang it. I like it. But wait, as I type, I realize I've been cooking not only with fresh, but powdered, dried & chocolate covered. Oh....well, I didn't cook with the chocolate covered ginger, I just ate it. (read the whole link there...chocolate covered ginger is good for your heart!*)

I made these cookies, and ate them...loved them... http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/triple-ginger-cookies-recipe.html

And then I made these... but I have to admit that adding a bit of chocolate makes them better. I know, I know, adding chocolate to a healthy cookie, what a shame (or a blessing?) http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/carrot-oatmeal-cookies-recipe.html
Oh, and I didn't have real maple syrup on hand, but I did have sorghum and it did taste just fine.

Oh, yeah, and then there is curry. With fresh ginger and coconut in it. Oh. Yum. Off to munch!!

From Whole Food's site:
*Dark chocolate — sorry, milk chocolate doesn't cut it — benefits many different aspects of heart health, including good circulation and antioxidant protection. As an added bonus, micronutrients, including magnesium and copper, are concentrated in dark chocolate. There are many varieties and flavors of high-quality dark chocolate available, both in our Grocery and Specialty departments.

• Ginger, a versatile herb common in ethnic dishes, boosts heart health by keeping cholesterol levels healthy and preventing the oxidation of LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Available fresh in our Produce department, ginger is a knobby root that is often peeled, and then added to sweet or savory dishes. Fresh ginger is also a wonderful addition to freshly pressed juices. Dried ginger, found in our bulk spices section, can be added to baked goods for a little extra spice. And don't forget that crystallized ginger or chocolate-covered ginger, available in the bulk section, make a wonderful snack.