Almost everyone loves chocolate. In a recent study conducted by Chocolate Manufacturers Association, chocolate was ranked as America's favorite flavor. Of course, love of chocolate is not unique to modern society. As far back as 2000 years ago, Mayans created a drink from crushed cocoa beans and referred to chocolate as "food of gods."

Chocolate might even be good for us! Some medical studies have indicated some health benefits associated with eating chocolate. According to Larry Graham, president of American Cocoa Research Institute (ACRI), chocolate is very high in antioxidants. In fact, it contains one of highest levels of antioxidant compounds that can be found in any food and may reduce risk for coronary heart disease. Subjects in a study conducted at Pennsylvania State University experience higher HDL, "good," cholesterol levels when they included small amounts of chocolate in their diets. Experts have concluded that eating chocolate might increase endorphins, "feel-good" chemicals in our brains, and lift our moods. Chocolate also contains several important minerals and is a major source of copper in our diet.

So go ahead, indulge that craving. Enjoying chocolate in moderation, as part of a sensible diet, is not only tasty, it's good for you too.

Here are some recipes to help you get your chocolate fix:

ULTIMATE BROWNIES

A while back, one of my young daughters (who I hope wasn't getting any ideas), asked me which 10 recipes I thought every newly married person should be able to make. After thinking, off and on, about it for a few days, I came up with what I believe are top ones. Before we get to recipes, I'd like to just share a few words that would have made life a lot easier on me had someone shared them with me when I first began cooking!

Cooking is an art. It isn't a chore to be endured or a duty to get out of way. It truly can be one of most rewarding and satisfying things you'll ever do. Just like most things, anyone who wants to become good at it can. Anyone who wants to become great at it can. There's an ancient Chinese Proverb that says, "The only difference between a good housekeeper and a bad one is an hour a day." I took liberty to edit proverb to tell you, "The only difference between a good cook and a bad one is an hour a day." If you make up your mind to become a great cook and dedicate even just one hour a day to honing your skills, you'll earn your apron's stripes!

A few things you should always remember:

Never leave kitchen when you're baking cookies or biscuits. I wouldn't advise ever wandering away from kitchen while cooking, but when it's something like cookies or biscuits, doing so is usually disasterous. They're just looking for a reason to burn and take your departure as open door they need.

When getting cookbooks, go to used bookstores - or check online auctions or Amazon.com. The cookbooks that were written in 70s and 80s were some of best. You'll find ingredients you've actually heard of, for one thing, plus they tend to have more of basic recipes you'll need for starting out.

Watch Food TV! It is really addictive, and even more informative. I'd suggest you not ever, under any circumstances, miss an episode of Paula Deen's "Paula's Home Cooking", Rachel Ray's "30 Minute Meals" or Alton Brown's "Good Eats". They're top, in my opinion. After you're more familiar with your way around pots and pans, you'll be ready for Emeril, but you have to work up to him!