VOA标准英语2009年-US Consumers Enjoy Mixing Chocolate wi

Photo: Julie Taboh
Cocoa marinated tenderloin of beef is an example of chocolate being paired with other savory¹ ingredients

 Americans love their chocolate, especially during the holiday season.  

For Gerri Ratliff, 48, buying chocolate during the holiday season is a family tradition. She says her family doesn't normally treat themselves to gourmet² chocolate, but Christmas seems like the right time to do so.

"It's just really enjoyable and it's a way to really tuck something special and fun into a [Christmas] stocking," she says.

Americans seek healthier ways to eat chocolate

While Americans like Ratliff love their chocolate, a recent industry survey reveals that health-conscious consumers are looking for ways to make chocolate a more nutritious³ food choice.

Julie Taboh
"Chocolate will always have an international influence. It is popular all over the world," Susan Smith, National Confectioners Association

Susan Smith, senior vice⁴ president of the National Confectioners Association, says one solution is to pair pure chocolate with savory ingredients.

Smith says cocoa belongs in more than desserts.

"It's being incorporated increasingly in lots of different kinds of foods that can be main course foods and appetizers⁶."

At a recent confection industry briefing in Washington, Smith and her colleagues offered sample dishes of these food combinations.

Chocolate sauces for beef and chicken create taste sensations

The chocolate inspired luncheon⁷ menu included tenderloin of beef marinated in soy, rosemary and cocoa, plus a green salad with crunchy cocoa bits.

Julie Taboh
"I bet there's going to be more American dishes that will be inspired by chocolate," Carla Hall, professional chef

Professional chef Carla Hall says she often combines chocolate with other ingredients. "We can actually have a meal of chocolate from the appetizer⁵ to the dessert," she says, and believes that combining chocolate with fruits and vegetables, "is a much healthier way of eating."

One of Hall's specialties⁸ is a traditional Mexican dish called chicken mole⁹, which blends pure chocolate with onions, garlic, tomatoes, chicken and other ingredients.

Recently, Hall demonstrated how she incorporates her chocolate mixture into the chicken stock, creating a deep, rich color. "The richness of the chocolate turns that stock into something that just looks beautiful," she says.

Julie Taboh
Chicken mole is a traditional Mexican dish that combines chocolate with other savory ingredients

Hall says chocolate's natural bitterness, together with its unique texture¹⁰, adds depth and make a dish more flavorful.

Hall explained that a cook can use the chocolate combination as a sauce over the chicken, or as a stew¹¹.

New twists in chocolate candy also satisfy cravings

For many Americans, chocolate is still considered candy. At ACKC Cocoa Bar, a gourmet chocolate shop in Washington, co-owner Rob Kingsbury offers an impressive variety of sweet and savory infused products.

Julie Taboh
"I really love sweet and savory. More of my products are more sweet and savory-based than sweet and sweet-based." Rob Kingsbury, co-owner, ACKC Cocoa Bar

"People really love the whole savory and sweet combination," and he says, "it seems to be a real hot seller right now as far as flavors concerned."

Chipotle-cinnamon truffle is one of his best-selling chocolates.

"It's two flavors that are interesting enough to people and it's not too far off their taste scale," says Kingsbury. "People are always impressed when they taste it."

But if the combination of chocolate and chicken or chipotle-cinnamon truffle doesn't sound enticing¹², industry experts say people can rest assured, simple, old-fashioned chocolate is still going to be a mainstay on store shelves.
 

1 savory   

adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的

参考例句：

• She placed a huge dish before him of savory steaming meat.她将一大盘热气腾腾、美味可口的肉放在他面前。
• He doesn't have a very savory reputation.他的名誉不太好。

2 gourmet   

n.食物品尝家；adj.出于美食家之手的

参考例句：

• What does a gourmet writer do? 美食评论家做什么？
• A gourmet like him always eats in expensive restaurants.像他这样的美食家总是到豪华的餐馆用餐。

3 nutritious   

adj.有营养的，营养价值高的

参考例句：

• Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。
• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 appetizer   

n.小吃，开胃品

参考例句：

• We served some crackers and cheese as an appetizer.我们上了些饼干和奶酪作为开胃品。
• I would like a cucumber salad for an appetizer.我要一份黄瓜沙拉作开胃菜。

6 appetizers   

n.开胃品( appetizer的名词复数 )；促进食欲的活动；刺激欲望的东西；吊胃口的东西

参考例句：

• Here is the egg drop and appetizers to follow. 这是您要的蛋花汤和开胃品。 来自互联网
• Would you like appetizers or a salad to go with that? 你要不要小菜或色拉？ 来自互联网

7 luncheon   

n.午宴，午餐，便宴

参考例句：

• We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
• I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。

8 specialties   

n.专门，特性，特别；专业( specialty的名词复数 )；特性；特制品；盖印的契约

参考例句：

• Great Books are popular, not pedantic. They are not written by specialists about specialties for specialists. 名著绝不引经据典，艰深难懂，而是通俗易读。它们不是专家为专业人员撰写的专业书籍。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
• Brain drains may represent a substantial reduction in some labor force skills and specialties. 智力外流可能表示某种劳动力技能和特长大量减少。 来自辞典例句

9 mole   

n.胎块；痣；克分子

参考例句：

• She had a tiny mole on her cheek.她的面颊上有一颗小黑痣。
• The young girl felt very self- conscious about the large mole on her chin.那位年轻姑娘对自己下巴上的一颗大痣感到很不自在。

10 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。

11 stew   

n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑

参考例句：

• The stew must be boiled up before serving.炖肉必须煮熟才能上桌。
• There's no need to get in a stew.没有必要烦恼。

12 enticing   

adj.迷人的；诱人的

参考例句：

• The offer was too enticing to refuse. 这提议太有诱惑力，使人难以拒绝。
• Her neck was short but rounded and her arms plump and enticing. 她的脖子短，但浑圆可爱；两臂丰腴，也很动人。