A Great Gift Idea: the Chocolate Covered Strawberry

Every now and then, you find yourself wanting to give a gift that is a little different from the usual. If there is an event coming up and you want to offer something a little different consider a chocolate covered strawberry.

Many specialty shops offer a large chocolate covered strawberry, complete with a special gift-wrap. While that is certainly an easy way to go, the truth is that even someone with severely limited culinary experience can prepare a chocolate covered strawberry at home.  Here's a few tips to help you master the process.

First of all, forget trying to use frozen strawberries. They don't work. If you want to create a really tasty strawberry covered in chocolate, you will need to use fresh strawberries. Check them for a vibrant red cover and plumpness. Make sure the shape of the strawberry is similar to that of a plump teardrop. If your intention is to prepare a dozen or so as a gift, you can most likely find good candidates at your local supermarket. If the idea is to prepare one large strawberry, look at an organic food market or at your local health food store. In any case, you want to be guaranteed that the strawberry you select is sweet and juicy.

For your chocolate coating, you have two avenues to investigate. The first is to go with chocolate bark. You will find this product in your local supermarket. The second is to prepare your own chocolate covering by preparing a mixture of paraffin, cocoa, and sugar, with a little shortening. The point is to create a dipping coat that will cool and harden very quickly on the strawberry. 

Wash and dry the strawberry thoroughly. Melt down either the chocolate bark or the homemade mixture in a double boiler. After inserting a toothpick into the top of the strawberry, dip and evenly cover the exterior of the strawberry. You can set it aside to cool on a sheet of wax paper, or insert the toothpick into a piece of Styrofoam for cooling.

When it comes to dressing up your basic chocolate covered strawberry, let your imagination run wild. You can do a double dip on the strawberry by adding a second coat of white chocolate. Another option is to dress the chocolate covered strawberry with drizzles of white chocolate or creating small bow ties or bells with frosting. If you do decide to garnish with frosting, make sure it is the type that will harden and keep its shape.

When it comes to wrapping your chocolate covered strawberry for presentation, you can be a simple or as fancy as you like. If you are giving a set of strawberries, consider wrapping them individually with clear wrap and then finishing off with a festive bow. Place them in a small basket or even a decorative box. For a liner, you may want to use a white or a red and white checked napkin.

Making a chocolate covered strawberry for a gift is relatively easy and inexpensive. With a little effort, you can create an offering that is sure to bring a smile to the lips of a loved one.