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Valentines For You! AND Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!

Saturday night I made Chocolate Covered Strawberries for the first time.  They were super easy too.  No, I didn’t eat them, but I ‘tested’ two, because they’re not exactly on my diet right now, strawberries-yes, chocolate-not so much. But they were awesome!  I was at the store and they had some gorgeous quarts of berries for $1.99.  Is that a great price or what?  I really hadn’t planned on dipping them, but when I got home I remembered that I saw a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips in the pantry, I also remembered the Sunday School kids at church were having a program following regular services, and thought (if they turn out) I’ll take these to church as a little Valentine’s treat. As I said they were very easy.  Look how pretty they turned out:
What you need:
  • A carton of fresh strawberries. Wash, drain and allow to thoroughly dry before dipping. You might need to blot them on paper towels to make sure they are completely dry
  • A bag of chocolate chips (dark chocolate is best and better for you).
  • 1 T of paraffin. Paraffin kind of seals them and helps to prevent melting, or so I’ve read. Personally, I think this is optional. BTW: I used a soy wax and they turned out fine.
What you do:
  • Melt a bag of chocolate chips (with the paraffin) in a deep microwave dish on high for 1 minute.
  • Stir the chips and paraffin. It will not be completely melted, but the melted chocolate will speed the melting of the remaining chocolate.
  • Microwave on high for another minute. Stir the chocolate till smooth without lumps.
  • Start dipping. Hold the strawberries by the green tops. You don’t have to completely cover them either. That also helps keep the chocolate off your hands.
  • Place the dipped strawberries on parchment or wax paper to set.

  • When all the chocolate is hardened, arrange on a plate or platter. I swirled a little chocolate syrup on the bottom of the plate before arranging the strawberries.


    I also love to take pictures and took a few Valentiney photos this week. You may use the Chocolate Covered Strawberries or this:
    or this:
    or maybe this:There are more on my Flickr page here. Please feel free to download what you like to use as computer wallpaper, to print and use for your own Valentine’s Day cards or maybe to send a with a text message for an E-Valentine.  Don't forget to leave me a note -- I would love to know that you used them.

    Happy Valentine’s Day! ~~Joanne



    

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