I've loved the idea of Valentine's Day as long as I can remember. Yes, it's a very commercial holiday and we (especially men) are guilted into buying gifts for their special someone, but I don't care, the fact that we have dedicated a day to love is pretty amazing. It's even more amazing when you have someone you love to share with it. I actually went online the other day to try and find a book from elementary school that I used when I was younger to make Valentine's Day crafts. I wasn't able to find the specific one I was looking for, but I ended up ordering another great one.
Every year in beginning February, I usually bust out my special V-Day box filled with doilies, ribbon, glue sticks and lace. I getting my crafty fingers to work and I make something homemade, from the heart, for my friends and family. However, for my guy, I do something a little extra special and this year it pertained to food and alcohol, of course! The first Valentine's Day gift idea I'm sharing with you is an oldie but a goodie, and it won't cost you a lot of money either. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. Oh, and did I mention it's super sexy? Just read a couple of chapters from 50 Shades of Grey and then let your imagination go wild - catch my drift?
Chocolate, next to flowers, is the epitome of Valentine's Day. Add the chocolate to red, heart shaped strawberries, and you've got a delicious, gourmet Valentine's Day gift to remember AND this gift is great for both guys and gals. I served my chocolate dipped strawberries in an antique style martini glass I got at the year end Anthropologie sale to really make the presentation pop! You can use regular strawberries, but I chose the long-stemmed kind because they are more dramatic, easier to dip and work with the chocolate and the long stem works great for feeding each other (insert sexy Emoji)! I suggest buying one of those multi-sprinkle Valentine's Day containers
Rinse strawberries and dry. I removed the leaves, but that's up to you. Pour a half bag of milk chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 45 seconds. Stir and heat the bowl for another 30 seconds. Stir chocolate until smooth. If you need the chocolate more melted, then return the bowl to the microwave, but only heat in 15 second intervals. You don't want to overheat the chocolate! Lay a sheet of wax paper on a baking sheet next to you chocolate bowl.
Holding the stem, dip your strawberry 3/4 deep into the melted chocolate and let excess chocolate drop off. Lay the strawberry on the way paper and sprinkle with desired sprinkles. Repeat this process with up to 15 strawberries. Once you have dipped and decorated all of your strawberries, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes so the chocolate can set and firm up. Try making this treat for you Valentine at least a few days before February 14th for optimal freshness. Enjoy!
