Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Chocolate covered strawberries -- how much more decadent can you get? These luxurious treats are so easy to make and ideal to serve at a dinner party.

I simply melt some dark semi-sweet chocolate buds in a double boiler and then dip in the strawberries. The chocolate needs to set so I place the chocolate strawberries on a waxed baking sheet in the fridge for half an hour.

To make the strawberries extra special I like to melt some white chocolate and then dot on white chocolate seeds.

They're a guaranteed hit every time.

Ingredients:

• 15-20 small - medium strawberries, washed and patted dry
• 1 1/4 cups of dark semi-sweet chocolate buds
• 1/4 cup of white chocolate buds (optional)
• Double boiler or metal bowl to melt chocolate

Preparation:

Wash the strawberries well and then pat dry with a paper towel.

Line a plate with waxed paper. Set aside.

Fill a pot with warm water and then place a metal bowl over the pot. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl.

Place the dark chocolate buds into the bowl and turn up the heat to medium-high.

Stir the chocolate while it melts to make sure it's smooth. Keep stirring until it's completely smooth.

Turn the heat down low but keep it warm enough that the chocolate doesn't harden.

Dip in each strawberry 3/4 of the way. Let any excess chocolate drip off and then place berry gently onto the waxed paper. Repeat process.

Once all the berries are coated place them in the fridge for 30 minutes and then serve.

If you want to decorate them with some white chocolate, then clean and dry the metal bowl. Place the bowl over the pot of water and then repeat process with the white chocolate buds.

Remove the strawberries from the fridge and then use a wooden or metal skewer to dot small amounts of white chocolate onto the dark chocolate coating. Repeat process and refrigerate for another 20 minutes. Serve.