Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

• 16 ounces (450 grams) fresh strawberries
• 8 ounces (225 grams) chocolate semi sweet, milk, or white chocolate

Instructions

1. Prep the strawberries: In a colander, wash the strawberries under running water for a minute, and drain well. Dry with paper towels before working with them.
2. Melt the chocolate using the double boiler method: Place the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch of water to a very gentle simmer on low heat (the water should not exceed 140ºF/60ºC), and let the bowl sit over the water without touching it. Using a spatula stir the chocolate until it has completely melted. Remove the chocolate from the heat immediately.
3. Melt the chocolate using the microwave method: Place the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 15 to 30 seconds intervals, stirring the chocolate well between each interval until the chocolate has completely melted and looks smooth.
4. Place the melted chocolate in a deep small bowl or cup.
5. Dip the strawberries: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, and set it next to the chocolate. Dip each strawberry at a time, hold it by the leaves or stem (or you can insert a toothpick into the top of each strawberry) and dip into the chocolate rotating slowly and gently shaking off any excess.
6. Place on the parchment paper, and let the chocolate harden (if you used a toothpick, remove it after the chocolate has hardened). If dipping in toppings (crushed nuts, desiccated coconut, sprinkles, etc) then dip in the topping first and then transfer onto the parchment paper-lined sheet.
7. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries until all of them are done.
8. Allow the chocolate to harden for about 20 minutes. Then decorate with a drizzle of chocolate.
9. To decorate with a chocolate drizzle, melt dark, milk, or white chocolate (or melting wafers), and transfer to a small Ziploc bag. Cut off the tip (a very small cut), then gently drizzle over the strawberries.
10. Allow the chocolate to harden completely before serving.