A Gourmet Dessert on a Cracker Jack Budget

Lately I have been experiencing a post-holiday let-down. The excitement and hectic pace of the holidays is behind me, and I am finding myself desiring to make one more holiday treat, just to get it out of my system. If you are feeling the same way today, why not make chocolate covered strawberries? They only require a few simple ingredients and are well worth the work of preparation.

Chocolate covered strawberries are considered to be a gourmet delicacy, but I recently discovered that they are fun and fairly easy to make.

Here is what you will need:

~One container of strawberries
~One or two packages of almond bark baking chocolate or chocolate chips
*If two, buy white chocolate and regular chocolate. If one, chocolate of your
choice.
~A colander for washing the strawberries (optional)
~Vegetable wash (store bought or homemade)
*For homemade, mix 1 Tablespoon of white distilled vinegar per One cup of
water. Use a clean spray bottle to apply. Inexpensive spray bottles
should be available at your local Wal-Mart, dollar store, or beauty supply
store.
~Running water for washing the strawberries
~A box of toothpicks
~Paper towels for drying strawberries once they are washed (VERY IMPORTANT)
~Flower foam or styrofoam (optional, but it makes dipping easier)
*I used circles of styrofoam which I found at my local Dollar Tree. They
worked very well.
~A double boiler or pan for melting the chocolate
~Wax paper for cooling the chocolate once the strawberries are covered
~A ziploc-type bag or icing glaze bag (optional)
~A pair of scissors (optional)
~Sprinkles and/or other edible decorations such as colored sugar (optional)

Instructions:

~Melt chocolate at a low setting.
~Thoroughly wash and dry strawberries. Do not remove stems.
~Put a toothpick through each strawberry at the stem. Toothpick should be inserted enough so that the strawberry will not fall off if you hold the toothpick but not so much that it goes all the way through.
~If using flower foam or styrofoam, insert other end of toothpick into styrofoam. You can prepare several strawberries at a time this way.
~Once the chocolate has melted, hold the strawberry by the toothpick and dip it into the chocolate. Double check to make sure the strawberry is thoroughly dry prior to dipping. This is important for smoother chocolate.
~Allow excess chocolate to drip back into double boiler or pan for a few seconds. Chocolate may still look lumpy after dipping but should smooth out as it cools.
~Place each strawberry with toothpick onto wax paper and decorate exposed area with sprinkles or other dry edible decorations if desired.
~Allow strawberries to cool completely. Decorate with other chocolate if desired. Allow to cool completely then remove toothpicks. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a few hours. Best if consumed the same day as you prepare them. May be "mushy" after a full day in the refrigerator.