How to Get the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries- Recipe

Healthy chocolate. Is there such a thing? More and more research says yes, there is. The health benefits of dark chocolate (the more cocoa content, the better), are fast becoming the buzz words of the healthy foods industry. What could be better than sharing the rich creamy goodness of dark chocolate than to combine it with the luscious, sweet freshness of the strawberry ? Read on for a recipe that combines the best of the best.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Strawberries
• Dove Dark Chocolate
• Other candied fruit (optional)

1. 
    
   Gather supplies

   Assemble your double boiler pans on the stove burner and gather dark chocolate and strawberries. A double boiler is the best option to keep chocolate from scorching on the bottom of the pan. A regular pot will work, but be diligent in stirring throughout the process.
   
   Prepare a baking pan with a sheet of waxed paper for the chocolate dipped berries to harden on.

2. 
    
   Wash and dry strawberries

   Wash strawberries carefully using your method of choice. Keep stems in tact and dry thoroughly.
   
   *(To get the full health benefits of dark chocolate in this recipe; it is important to wash strawberries as they carry high levels of pesticide residue. Equally important is to dry them completely as chocolate won't stick to wet berries!)

3. 
    
   Add dark chocolate

   Unwrap and add Dove dark chocolate in the quantity you desire to the double boiler.
   
   One 8.5 oz bag will cover approximately one quart of strawberries. (One dip).
   
   (See tips and resources below and on other areas of the page for more info. on the health benefits of dark chocolate and the reason for choosing Dove Dark).

4. 
    
   Inspiration !

   Be sure to read each inspirational message inside the Dove wrappers as you go ! Dark chocolate feels good, but so does inspiration !

5. 
    
   Heat on medium

   Heat the chocolate on medium and stir with a spatula consistently until melted. Remove from heat.

6. 
    
   Dip strawberries in dark chocolate

   Work quickly to dip each individual strawberry as you like it, using the stem to hold onto. As the photo shows; these are only partially chocolate dipped to show the red contrasting color of the berry.
   
   Place on waxed paper to harden.

7. 
    
   Candied ginger

   Consider using other dried fruit in place of fresh strawberries.
   
   Another way to get the health benefits of dark chocolate is to choose to dip candied ginger which has a multitude of health benefits of it's own. See article listed below on ginger.

Tips & Warnings

• For variation; melt milk or white chocolate and swirl over hardened dark chocolate dipped strawberries.
• Dove dark chocolate has been studied and found to have one of the highest ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity: Antioxidant value) of all chocolates commonly found in stores.
• Watch heating chocolate so it doesn't scorch.

Resources

• Indulge her with chocolate !
• How to know the truth about dark chocolate !
• Be familiar with ways to use ginger !

[Thims]

on 2/6/2010 I think this article was a directive from heaven. Strawberries instead of cherries? Interesting.

[sixsmiles6]

on 2/2/2010 Great recipe and easy to follow instructions! Thanks!

[amberdawn]

on 3/16/2009 If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be chocolate covered strawberries :D Also I thought it was interesting about the Dove dark chocolate being the healthiest. It's one of my favorite reasonably priced chocolates!

[MotherDove]

on 3/10/2009 Yum! You just can't go wrong with chocolate. To find out about the health benefits is just more reason to love chocolate-dipped strawberries. Thanks!

[honeyd81]

on 3/5/2009 Great article! I loved the pictures. I'll have to try this sometime.