PUDDLEWACKY

Daily A~Musing #3:  Strawberries in Tuxedos

Seriously…the only thing sexier than a good lookin’ chap in a tux is a big, fat, ripe, juicy strawberry…in a tux.  Just look:

 

See?  How could you possibly resist?  Let’s start with some facts, shall we?  Strawberries are reputed to boost the libEEEeeedo (pretend I said that in a husky, yet lilting tone of voice which made your tummy flutter JUST a little).  They're also supposed to ease you into a good mood.  These properties are allegedly attributed to some sort of nonsense about vitamins C, B, yadda yadda yadda…go chat up a nutritionist if you want more info. 

What you may NOT know, is that strawberries AND chocolate (well, DARK chocolate anyway) possess super antioxidant powers that do battle with free radicals.

Fighting free radicals?

Ha! 

If James Bond were a berry, he’d be a strawberry in a chocolate tuxedo.  Who knew???

Below is a recipe I found on www.ishotthechef.com for you braver souls to try if you’re feeling frisky and want to impress your beloved on V-Day.  For the rest of us who love to eat, but cannot find within ourselves the motivation to spend hours on creating pretty edible things, you can order these around this time of year from many candy shops.   I believe Godiva and Haven's are two shops that can be found in Maine and can deliver on the dapper fruit. 

Try them with a glass of milk, a chocolate martini, or a bronzed Bond-Babe in a vintage white bikini.  J 

Tuxedo Strawberry Recipe

1 dozen perfect strawberries, preferably with stems
8 oz white chocolate
8 oz dark chocolate

1. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Chop the white chocolate into small pieces, place in a small glass bowl and heat in the microwave in 30 second increments. Remove and stir; repeat until completely melted and smooth.

2. Gently rinse and dry each strawberry. Holding the strawberry by the stem or the leaves, dip into the white chocolate, almost to the stem. Only leave a bit of strawberry exposed, right by the stem. Scrape one side of the strawberry on the side of the bowl to remove excess chocolate and then place that side down on the parchment paper covered sheet pan. This helps to avoid a big “foot” of chocolate on the strawberry. Repeat with remaining strawberries. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes, until the chocolate has hardened.

3. Melt the dark chocolate as you did the white chocolate above. Take a white chocolate dipped strawberry and dip it at an angle on both sides, to create the jacket of the strawberry. Again, scrape the bottom of the strawberry to remove excess chocolate and place on the parchment paper. Repeat with remaining strawberries and refrigerate again for a few minutes.

4. Make a paper cone out of parchment and fill with 1-2 tablespoons of melted dark chocolate. Pipe the bow tie and dots for buttons on each strawberry.

5. Let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving to allow the chocolate to soften.

Note: If you have plenty of time, do not refrigerate between dippings, and the chocolate will remain very smooth and shiny.