homemade chocolate dipped fruits such as strawberries, apples, figs,
raspberries or pears. It is easy to prepare and a delicious gourmet treat that is sensual to eat and easy to gift wrap. Feeding someone a chocolate dipped strawberry is a great way to end your Seduction Meal before moving on the the real main course.
If you are pressed for time I have included links to wonderfully prepared and packaged gifts that can be served up for your next romantic rendezvous; or you can impress your loved one with a special delivery in time for the holidays.
Home Made Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
12 extra-large perfectly ripened strawberries, green caps attached, preferably with 1 inch stem
1 tablespoon of shortening
2 cups of dark or milk chocolate bars, coarsely chopped
(option) 1/8 cup of finely chopped hazelnuts (you can use peanuts, pecans or walnuts)
Line a cooking sheet with wax paper and set aside
Melting the Chocolate
In the top of a double boiler over
simmering water, melt the chocolate stirring until the chocolate smoothens out. Be sure the chocolate stays hot otherwise it may clump when you are dipping the fruit.
Dipping the Fruit
Holding the top of the strawberry, slowly dip 2/3’s of the way into the melted chocolate. Quickly remove the fruit with a clockwise swirling motion to spin the dripping chocolate off, resulting in a smooth, even coating. Invert your hand to point the strawberry towards the ceiling–this will allow the chocolate to settle and briefly air dry. (Option) Dip the tip of the strawberry in to the ground hazelnuts, gently rolling in a circular motion to cover the tip all around.
Place the strawberry, gently resting on one side to cool down/dry. Hand feed each other one strawberry at a time. If you are sending this as a gift, you can store strawberries in the refrigerator in an airtight container between layers of waxed paper. Try to find a box that has sections to place a strawberry in chamber.
Don’t have time for home-made gifts, here are a few delicious gifts to satisfy any gourmet sweet tooth.
John and Kiras Chocolate Covered Figs ($47Gotta Have It!)
We love this combination! Noted for their extremely thin skins and sweet, almost candy-like taste, these Spanish figs are filled by hand with a silky dark 64% Valrhona ganache and enrobed in a thin layer of dark 54% chocolate. The Calabacita variety of fig is grown by a family owned company in “Los Llanillos” in the village of Almoharin located in the Extremadura region of Spain. The delights are paired with a 15-pc Every Flavor box of our Signature chocolates. To ensure freshness, please enjoy our chocolate figs within two weeks
Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Strawberries ($55-$110 Gotta Have It!)
A dozen luscious berries are dipped in chocolate and delivered overnight to ensure freshness. Six white and six dark chocolate strawberries are drizzled with premium dark chocolate.
Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Raspberries ($25 Gotta Have It!)
An extra decadent take on the venerable traditions of chocolate fondue and chocolate-dipped strawberries–these raspberry truffles each contain a whole hand-picked, farm-fresh raspberry at their centers. Rich dark chocolate is poured around them and they are finished with a raspberry swirl on top. Twelve truffles arrive nestled into individual fluted paper cups and tucked into a box.
Red Envelope: Chocolate Covered Pear ($22: Gotta Have It!)
A more perfect pair of juicy fruit and rich confectionary would be difficult to find. This fresh bosc pear gets the full sweet-and-crunchy treatment–it’s enrobed in caramel, coated with walnuts and drizzled in gourmet chocolate. Pure Seduction!
Red Envelope: Chocolate Caramel Apples ($25 Gotta Have It!)
These caramel apples are innovative and decadent versions of the traditional harvest favorite. You can choose between an apple that is drenched in caramel and gourmet chocolates then rolled in walnuts and dried cranberries; or try the giant Fuji apple is dipped in chocolate and then coated with crushed butter finger candy. Each apple arrives wrapped in cellophane and tied up with a big, red grosgrain bow.
