Classic Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Valentines Day is now a week away. Do you have your plans set yet? There are those among us who curse the holiday as one made up by several industries and say that noone should need a dedicated day to show appreciation to that special someone in your life, and I don’t necessarily disagree with their thought process. That being said there is some value in taking the time and extra effort every now and again and why not let one of those times be February 14th.
Under the philosophy of “less talk, more action” there are always those special things we can do to show we care, and guys, go beyond opening a door. While the typical gestures include gifts of jewelry and chocolate there are many other ideas out there. A special night out, or a night in, where the phones are turned off and you really get to reconnect can show your commitment a lot more than a dozen overpriced roses sent to a desk with a card that was picked out and written by someone who does not even know the recipient.
Deciding what to do is really a matter of preference. Going out allows limitless options. Be it a movie, a meal or just coffee and some dessert you can design an evening around your interests. Just don’t make it all about your interests, include your better half’s as well. Staying in on the other hand offers less headaches. No traffic, no lines and nobody overhearing your conversations. If you plan to stay in you should probably have something to offer your guest upon arrival and as cliché as it may sound, chocolate covered strawberries just may be that hand made gesture you’ve been looking for.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup chocolate chips.
1 qt. fresh strawberries.
Directions:
- Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or over very low heat, stirring frequently.
- Trim the tops off the strawberries and pierce the tops with one toothpick each.
- Once liquid, spoon the chocolate over the strawberries, rotating the berries for an even coating.
- Let rest on a cooling rack, and then transfer to your fridge to cool completely.
- Remove toothpicks and box or plate for delivery/serving.
I know what you’re thinking, chocolate covered strawberries? Yes, chocolate covered strawberries. While it is traditional, and it may not appear that much thought had gone into the gift remember, these are strawberries that you made yourself. Effort is all about giving of one’s self to a task. Spending five minutes to buy a present is a lot less meaningful to some than putting some sweat equity in and creating something yourself, which will not require more than twenty minutes in the kitchen. So this year, put a little more into your offerings and I am sure the effort will be noticed.
Happy Valentines Day.
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