Chocolate Fondue

This fondue is perfect for passing around the campfire. More nutritious cashew  cream is less likely to spoil than heavy dairy cream.

1/3 cup (80 mL) unsalted, raw cashews
2 Tbsp (30 mL) pure maple  syrup
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cinnamon
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) cayenne
1 tsp (5 mL)  vanilla extract
2 cups (500 mL) water
1 1/2 cups (350 mL) dark chocolate  chunks
1 cup (250 mL) dried mango pieces
1 cup (250 mL) dried apple  pieces

At home
Soak cashews in water for at least 2 hours.

Place cashews in blender along with just enough water to barely cover them.  Process until smooth. Add maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne, and vanilla extract;  blend until combined.

Pour cashew mixture into a well-sealed container, such as a thermos.

At camp
To soften chocolate chunks, bring water to near boil in  pot. Pour in chocolate and wait 10 minutes; don’t stir. Drain water, leaving  chocolate behind. Immediately stir in cashew cream until smooth.

Dip dried fruit into chocolate sauce.

Serves 8.

Each serving contains: 275 calories; 3 g protein; 13 g total fat (7 g sat.  fat, 0 g trans fat); 37 g carbohydrates; 4 g fibre; 20 mg sodium

source: "Get Fired Up", alive #346, August 2011