Valentine’s Day Pistachio, Chocolate and Wine Pairing

In-shell pistachios are awesome because they’re so versatile. Seriously, they’re macho enough to hang for game day and inviting enough to keep you company on Valentine’s Day. Plus, you get 49 nuts in one serving! Now, that’s a deal!

The Valentine’s Day Pairing

The combination is Heart of the Desert In-Shell Salted and Roasted Pistachios, dark chocolate dipped mandarin oranges and a refreshing, sweet white wine like Malvasia Bianca, Riesling or a Moscato, something that will pull out the orange notes.

Making the Chocolate Covered Mandarin Oranges

Your Grocery List: 5 fresh, Mandarin Oranges and some high-quality dark chocolate morsels. Ghirardelli is a great option. And some parchment paper if you don’t have any. This is quite simple.

1. Peel and segment your oranges
2. Slowly melt your chocolate in the microwave, stirring as you go so it doesn’t burn.
3. Dip half your orange slice in the chocolate and place on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
4. When all are dipped, place them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes for the chocolate to set.

Voila! You now have chocolate dipped mandarin oranges.

If you want to dress them up a little bit, you can sprinkle with Himalayan salt, crushed pistachios or even sprinkles before you place them in the refrigerator.

These delicacies are best served right away as the oranges will dry out. If you place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, you might get 48 hours out of them. But really, once served, they will be gone.

Serve it up

Prep a nice bowl with the pistachios and lay out the oranges on a lovely plate. Pull out your good white wine glasses and serve up your choice of sweet white wine. Share this tasty treat with your special someone. They’ll be impressed with your presentation and the amazing flavor combination.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. They are best known for their farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. They offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. The main store, on the ranch in Alamogordo, offers farm tours that showcases how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for weddings, private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine.