Chocolate covered strawberry

 Let's make elegant chocolate covered strawberries to celebrate Valentine's day or any other occasions such as baby shower, mother's day, father's day and birthdays etc. They are quite expensive to buy in stores and chocolates are not real chocolates most of time, just candy melts. It is so easy to make with best quality ingredients and takes just an hour or less. 

 Buy finest quality strawberries.They must be firm, bright, no bruises or fungus and bright green caps fully attached. I always use good quality chocolates also not just the chocolate flavor candy melts.

Ingredients~

1 lb large ripe strawberries (If you find long stems they are the best)

1/2 lb (8 oz) semi sweet  or dark chocolate morsels 
 1/4 lb (4 oz) white chocolate (optional) + 1tbsp oil

2 tsp of Vegetable Oil for one cup morsels

Chopped nuts, mini chocolate morsels/sprinkles, crushed candies or sparkling sugars(optional)

Method~

Gently rinse the strawberries under cold water. Place them on a dry kitchen towel. Don’t rub them. Pat dry gently with paper towel. It is very important to keep strawberries dry before dipping. If they are wet chocolate won't stick to strawberries.
  
I prefer to use microwave method to melt chocolate. Set your microwave power level to 50 percent. Make sure chocolates are in room temperature. I melt half chocolate first, dip some strawberries, then melt the rest of the chocolates. Put half semi sweet chocolate and oil together in a microwave-safe small bowl/cup and melt for 30seconds. Give it a good stir every 10seconds otherwise it will burn. In winter it may take more time.

If Chocolate takes  more time to melt add few drops of oil and microwave 20 seconds again.Vegetable oil will make chocolate smooth and shiny. Stir it up until completely melted. Never use any single drop of water.

White chocolates tend to burn quickly. Set the microwave power level down to 10-percent. Melt for 20seconds. Stir well and it will become fluid.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently pull all the leaves into your fingers and dip almost 2/3 or more of the strawberries in the chocolate mixture.You can dip whole red flesh of strawberries. All sides must be evenly coated. Carefully shake off any excess chocolate. Place them on the parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat the process for the remaining strawberries. To drizzle white chocolate pour the melted white chocolate into a  plastic zipper bag. Seal and cut a very tiny tip off the corner of the bag. To make some horizontal lines gently press chocolate through the hole in the corner of the Ziploc bag. Move your hand side by side on the dipped strawberries very quickly. Refrigerate for 25-30 minutes or until chocolates harden.

 Serve chilled chocolate covered strawberries. They are best to enjoy the day they are made. Next day they become bit soft but still taste good.

To gift someone, wrap your strawberries in a pretty tissue lined box. Tie with a ribbon if you desire. What a wonderful gift!

Note: For variation you can dip in white chocolate and make horizontal lines with semi/dark chocolate.