Simple Decadence

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My mother dropped by the other day with a plate of these. I mined the depths of my culinary discipline to take a photo before gobbling. Of all the simple pleasures, whole, fresh strawberries dipped in dark chocolate ranks right up there with the first crocus of spring, a summer breeze and line-dried sheets. There’s something sensual about the combination that goes beyond my passion for chocolate and my love of strawberries.

I adore how the chocolate snaps, making me bite the strawberry harder than I normally would. This seems to release the juices faster and I always end up wiping my chin. The bitterness of the chocolate intensifies the berry’s sweetness, elevating both items — if that’s possible. The experience requires both ingredients to come from opposite ends of the flavour spectrum, which is why I would rather eat plain strawberries than those dipped in sweet white chocolate. Or milk chocolate, for that matter.

Best of all, this sensual treat is simple to make.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Makes as many as you like

  1. Chop the dark chocolate roughly. (I use President’s Choice bittersweet chocolate bars.)
  2. Melt dark chocolate in a small bowl over hot water or in the microwave at 30%. Soften it until most has melted and then stir the last few stubborn pieces into submission.
  3. Meanwhile, wash strawberries and set them on a towel to dry. Do no hull them.
  4. Take the berry by the stem and dip 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate.
  5. Set the dipped on a piece of waxed paper to harden.
  6. Share with friends. I’m available.