Tuxedo Strawberries

Strawberries are delicious. Chocolate is delicious. There is something about pairing strawberries and chocolate that not only makes them double delicious but super luxurious as well. Especially when done well. You an charge a great deal of money for a feed of chocolate dipped strawberries. Not only are the great on their own, but they can be used as an elegant decoration for a variety of desserts. Tuxedo strawberries are one of the fancier versions of chocolate covered strawberries and are easier to make than they may look. I made some the other day to decorate a flourless chocolate torte.

Begin with strawberries that are well washed and dried. You can use any size you wish, just choose firm, blemish-free berries. I like it when stems are still attached, which also makes them easier to dip. If they don't have stems you can stick a toothpick in them for dipping. Begin with white chocolate and dip the entire strawberry (save a little bit at the top) in it. Then allow the chocolate to set - you can set them on a sheet tray, but the chocolate will pool around the bottom of the strawberry so keep that in mind. A wire rack is better to allow the excess chocolate to run off. Properly tempered chocolate will set quickly, but the strawberries can be chilled to speed up the process. Once the white chocolate is set, dip the sides of the berries at an angle into dark, milk, or semisweet chocolate to create a suit appearance. Use a toothpick or plastic bag to add three buttons. Allow to set again before using.

Some tips for the chocolate: use the best quality you can find, melt it properly, place it in a narrow, deep bowl for easier dipping and stir in a small amount of oil if needed to thin it out slightly,