Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

Today we’re doing our Foodie Friday recipe at the beginning of the week instead of the end so we can get this in before Valentine’s Day.
I love chocolate dipped strawberries! They have a romantic and fancy air to them.

If you’ve never tried making them they are much easier than you might think.
First, thoroughly rinse your strawberries and let them fully dry before dipping them.
Chocolate won’t stick to wet berries.

You can use just about any chocolate brick or morsel chocolate. I prefer Ghiradelli semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
I usually melt a full bag of chocolate chips. I like to add 2-3 teaspoons of vegetable oil which will cause a nice sheen to the chocolate once the berries have been dipped.

There are a few ways to melt your chocolate. I’ve melted it in the microwave before but it takes a lot of babysitting. If you melt it at too high of heat you can scorch your chocolate then you have to trash it and start over. I prefer melting it on the stove top by simmering a few inches of water in a saucepan. Then I use a double boiler pot that sits on top of my saucepan. You can also just use a bowl. The key is to make sure the bottom of the pot or bowl doesn’t touch the simmering water or you chocolate could scorch.

Add your chocolate and oil then stir constantly until melted. Do not walk away for a second. I learned this the hard way. Your chocolate will melt pretty quick. Once you have a few lumps left, remove from stove and continue to stir. They will melt on their own and assure that chocolate doesn’t scorch.

Then start dipping your berries and set on wax paper to cool and harden. To add a little bling to your chocolate dipped strawberries you can also dip them in flaked coconut, sprinkles, chopped nuts or you can even drizzle some white chocolate over them. Refrigerate for at least an hour.