Do You Want to Impress Your Sweetheart?
Quick & Easy, Holiday, Chocolate, favorite products, fondue, fruits, gift ideas, healthy, Healthy, Lassens natural foods market, organic strawberry, strawberry
Elegant, Romantic, Easy!
I have always felt Valentine's Day was a made-up holiday--manufactured by the sellers of cards and candy, abetted by restaurants and florists.
But maybe we shouldn't pass up the opportunity to express love and appreciation to those we love. So here are a couple of fun, romantic, and frankly easy ways to give a little love on this holiday--or any day.
Ingredients
Chocolate Fondue:
1 cup of whipping cream
2 TBSP Agave syrup
12 oz premium chocolate (I used the Sunspire semi-sweet baking chocolate)
A variety of fruits for dipping--strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwi, pineapple, mango--use your imagination!
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries:
Premium Chocolate (I really like the Chocolove brand chocolate--you'll need plain chocolate for this recipe) -- I used extra-strong dark, milk, and white chocolate
Strawberries
Chopped nuts, if desired -- I used pecans and pistachios
1 cup of whipping cream
2 TBSP Agave syrup
12 oz premium chocolate (I used the Sunspire semi-sweet baking chocolate)
A variety of fruits for dipping--strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwi, pineapple, mango--use your imagination!
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries:
Premium Chocolate (I really like the Chocolove brand chocolate--you'll need plain chocolate for this recipe) -- I used extra-strong dark, milk, and white chocolate
Strawberries
Chopped nuts, if desired -- I used pecans and pistachios
Directions
Chocolate Fondue:
Bring the cream and agave syrup to a boil. Meanwhile, break up the chocolate into nickel-sized pieces. When the cream comes to a boil, remove from the heat and add the chocolate pieces. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. If you like it a little thinner, add more cream. If you have a fondue pot, transfer the sauce into the pot and keep warm. If not, you can cool and gently reheat when ready to serve.
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries:
Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries.
In a double-boiler, melt each of the chocolates separately, stirring regularly. You can also use the microwave on half-power, 30-40 seconds at a time. Do not try to melt the chocolate over direct heat or on full power -- if it gets too hot it will get crumbly instead of melting.
Hold on to the stem/leaves of the berries and dip them into the melted chocolate.
If you wish, roll the berries gently in the chopped nuts.
Place on a foil- or waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Allow to cool.
You can add stripes of a contrasting chocolate by dipping a fork into the chocolate and then drizzling it over the cooled berries.
These can be made up to two days in advance. Keep in the refrigerator.
Bring the cream and agave syrup to a boil. Meanwhile, break up the chocolate into nickel-sized pieces. When the cream comes to a boil, remove from the heat and add the chocolate pieces. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. If you like it a little thinner, add more cream. If you have a fondue pot, transfer the sauce into the pot and keep warm. If not, you can cool and gently reheat when ready to serve.
Chocolate-dipped Strawberries:
Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries.
In a double-boiler, melt each of the chocolates separately, stirring regularly. You can also use the microwave on half-power, 30-40 seconds at a time. Do not try to melt the chocolate over direct heat or on full power -- if it gets too hot it will get crumbly instead of melting.
Hold on to the stem/leaves of the berries and dip them into the melted chocolate.
If you wish, roll the berries gently in the chopped nuts.
Place on a foil- or waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Allow to cool.
You can add stripes of a contrasting chocolate by dipping a fork into the chocolate and then drizzling it over the cooled berries.
These can be made up to two days in advance. Keep in the refrigerator.
What sounds good ?













