Cupid’s Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

What’s Valentines Day without a little chocolate?  And what’s a little chocolate without a little champagne?  Go ahead, indulge yourself; count it as one of your fruit servings for the day.

Whether you eat out or stay in, make these for your Valentine and you’ll make someone very happy.    They’re perfect for any occasion and  look extra special served on a silver tray.  If you’re passing them around though, they probably won’t make it very far across the room.

Cupid’s Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried well

1. Put the semisweet chocolate into a heatproof medium bowl. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowl of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)

2. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.

3. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.