Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate covered strawberries are super simple to make, yet they are oh, so expensive to buy, so why not make your own.

Ingredients

• 16 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening or olive oil or another oil (about 1 Tbsp per 1 1/2 cups chips)
• 1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
• toothpicks
• styrofoam or parchment paper or lightly oiled plate for cooling berries
  double broiler to melt the chocolate (I simply placed a stainless steel bowl over top a boiling water bath in my soup pot.)

Toppings ideas: Here's where the fun comes in..
raw, unsweetened shredded coconut
dried goji berries
crushed cinnamon graham crackers
chopped raw pecans

chopped nuts (wide variety of options - brazil, walnuts, macadamia nuts and more)

Directions

1. Set up your topping station with shallow bowls filled with different toppings. Wash and dry your berries. Make sure the berries are totally dry - so the chocolate is able to stick.

2. Pour your chips into a stainless steel bowl. Add about 1 Tbsp of oil. Start boiling a shallow pot of water on the stove. Place your chocolate bowl over the steam and allow the chips to melt slowly. Stir gently. When your chocolate is melted you will want to work quickly.

dark choco chips..

3. Easy! Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries and dip your strawberries into the chocolate then into the toppings or without. Lay them on a flat platter to cool while you continue dipping. Parchment paper or a lightly oiled surface works well for this or turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool.

4. Chill your berries in the fridge for at least an hour. Remove berries from fridge when ready to serve! Enjoy and have a Happy Vegan Valentine's Day!!!