Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe

Was your last Chocolate Covered Strawberries Recipe a disaster? Likely you did not have one or more of the 4 essential secrets for making perfectly dipped strawberries.

Once you know how to make Chocolate Covered Strawberries, it's actually easy. And quick. Follow the recipe directions, incorporating these four gotta-have-'em tips:

• The strawberries must be absolutely, perfectly dry or the chocolate will slide right off.
• Use chocolate chips for the chocolate; they're already tempered, ready to melt, and almost always are the ideal consistency. Step up to gourmet chocolate chips. Many fine chocolate makers like Godiva and Ghirardeli also make chocolate chips.
• If your melted chocolate is too thick, add a little vegetable oil, a few drops at a time until the consistency is right. You'll know. Never thin chocolate with water.
• Lay those dipped strawberries down! Don't torture yourself trying to get them to sit up on their caps while the chocolate is hardening. Yes, one side will be flat but nobody cares. Really. But if one falls, many fall or get smeared. It's not pretty.
But if you insist, use cold berries so they harden quickly and set them on a perfectly flat tray.

24 large, ripe strawberries with leafy caps
1 pound bittersweet or semi-sweet gourmet chocolate chips
Vegetable oil, optional
1 cup finely chopped nuts, optional

Wash the strawberries and let them dry completely.

Pour the chocolate chips in a small microwave-proof bowl. Heat the chips in the microwave very slowly on low power, stirring occasionally, until melted, about 6-10 minutes. Remove. (Only if necessary, stir in a little vegetable oil to bring it to dipping consistency.)

Holding one strawberry by its cap, dip three quarters of it into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off any excess chocolate. Now upend the strawberry and twirl it a little to capture any dripping chocolate. Dip the end into finely chopped nuts, if desired, and lay it on wax paper to cool and harden.

One last tip: Try coating just half the strawberries with nuts in case some of your guests are allergic to nuts.

Repeat with the remaining strawberries, warming the chocolate as necessary. The strawberries may be quick-cooled in the refrigerator.

	Web GreatPartyRecipes.com

Surprise me with another party idea from Great Party Recipes.