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Reprint with permission
11-Feb-2014 pairforthecourse.com blog 
 photo by Jane Phillips, Santa Fe New Mexican
If there is a dessert or a fruit that says "I love you," "I like you a lot," or "You are special," that dessert is a fruit ~ a strawberry dipped in silky smooth chocolate. Whether you are giving them as a gift, a sweet morsel for your sweetheart, a treat for the family there is something really special about juicy, red strawberries hand-dipped in decadent chocolate. recipe
Ingredients 4 - 6 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate, coarse chopped 1 pound strawberries {about 20}, washed and patted dry 2 - 3 drops of your favorite essential oil {Wild Orange, Peppermint, Lavender, even some exotic flavors such as Myrrh}  photo by Jane Phillips, Santa Fe New Mexican
Tip for using essential oils for flavoring
If you want to create a medley of different flavors, prepare two or three smaller saucepans and stainless bowls. Add essential oils {one drop at a time} to each small batch of melted chocolate. If you are experimenting with a flavor combination you haven't tried, use just a toothpick of the essential oil in a small ramekin to do a taste test. Please be sure to ONLY use pure, therapeutic/culinary-grade essential oils. Contact me at joanlucci@gmail.com to find out what I use ~ I'll share how you can buy these essential oils at wholesale prices! Instructions using the double-boiler method Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Course chop the chocolate or roughly shave with a vegetable peeler. Put the chocolate pieces or shavings into a heatproof glass or stainless bowl. Set aside. When the water is boiling, turn off the heat and set the chocolate filled bowl of chocolate on top of the saucepan. Stir and fold with a heat-proof rubber spatula until most of the chocolate is melted. Remove from the top of the warm pan, and continue stirring and folding until the chocolate is completely melted and is smooth and glossy. Hold a strawberry by the stem end, dip the berry into the chocolate. Give it a twist over the pan of chocolate; let the excess drip off back into the pan, gently slide the side of the berry that will be resting on baking sheet against the edge of the bowl (to avoid the foot that sometimes form), and and transfer to the parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until all the berries are dipped. Refrigerate for at least 30-minutes to firmly set the chocolate.
Instructions
microwave method Using a microwave to melt the chocolate works well too but there is less control and greater risk of overheating the chocolate. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe glass bowl, set the microwave for 30-seconds, stir, repeat until the chocolate is almost completely melted. Continue stirring until fully melted, smooth, and glossy.
Notes
Chocolate dipped strawberries are best consumed same day, but will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Dress up your strawberries by rolling in fine chopped nuts, sprinkles, coconut or drizzling with a contrasting white chocolate (which is actually not chocolate), dark chocolate, or milk chocolate using either method described above to melt your chocolate. wine pairing
Our resident sommelier, Derek Werner, recommends, as an elegant pairing with our chocolate dipped strawberries, a sparkling rosé with fruit notes. Two suggestions: H. Billiot Fils Brut Rosé is a grower's champagne and excellent choice ~ retails for about $55. As a more affordable and accessible alternative, Mumm Napa Brut Rosé at $18 - $25.
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Ingredients
½ large or 1 medium onion, minced or fine chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced or fine chopped 2 stalks celery, minced or fine chopped 2 - 3 carrots, minced or fine chopped 2 - 3 T olive oil Salt and black pepper* to taste 1.5 lb lean ground beef 2 {28-ounce} cans of San Marzano crushed tomatoes Optional splash of red or white wine or chicken stock or both Optional ¼ c cream {heavy cream, half and half, or a plain Greek yogurt} Optional handful of chopped fresh Italian parlsey Optional 6 - 8 rough chopped fresh basil* leaves Fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese *Indicates essential oils can be substituted {see notes at the end of this recipe}
Instructions
Prepare a mirepoix or sofrito ~ fine mince or chop the onion, garlic, celery, carrots ~ before you get to the end of the chopping, heat a large {high-sided skillet} over medium heat. When pan is heated, add olive oil. Let the oil heat for 20-30 seconds, then add the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Sauté vegetables for about 8 minutes ~ the onion should be soft and translucent. Increase the heat to medium-high or high and add the ground beef {breaking it in bite-sized chunks as you add it to the skillet. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the meat. When the meat is browned {about 8-10 minutes} add the tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook about 30-minutes until sauce reduces and thickens. If it gets too thick, you may add some wine {a dry red or white}, a bit of chicken stock, or both ~ cook it down until it’s the desired consistency. Be careful with adding the liquids ~ you don’t want it too thin if you plan to add cream at the end. Taste and add finishing salt and pepper if needed. Add parsley or basil or both. Fold the fresh herbs into the sauce {adding the herbs at this stage allows them to gently cook, wilt, and retain their color and freshness}. Serve Bolognese on top of ziti or your favorite pasta. Top with fresh grated cheese
Substituting essential oils in this recipe
Black Pepper and Basil are the recommended essential oils for this recipe. Here is the best method and timing for adding them: Black Pepper ~ add 2 drops to a tablespoon of olive oil after the tomatoes have been added Basil ~ at the end of the cooking cycle, transfer about ¼ c of sauce to a small bowl or large ramekin, add one drop, mix then add and combine with the large skillet of sauce; repeat if a stronger flavor is desired Note: Be sure to use only pure, therapeutic/culinary-grade essential oils. Please contact me at joanlucci@gmail.com to find how where and how to buy the brand that I recommend at Wholesale prices! |
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