Strawberries make for an amazing dessert and if coupled with a layer of chocolate, they taste yummier. Here are some tips to store some chocolate-covered strawberries for your next party!
Strawberries are known for their sweet and tangy flavor. This taste gets enhanced when you cover strawberries with a layer of chocolate, be it dark chocolate or white. But remember, this treat needs to be consumed within a span of 48 hours, so that you get the very best taste. Meanwhile, I would love to tell you how you need to store chocolate-covered strawberries till you actually eat them.
Storing Chocolate-covered Strawberries the Right Way
Storing chocolate-covered strawberries in the right way starts with the process of their actual preparation. Though the initial recipe is simple, it plays an important part in preserving strawberries till they are served to your guests. Here is how you begin.
Washing the Strawberries
Once you buy fresh strawberries, wash them as soon as you can. Do not rub harshly as the outer layer of strawberries is tender. Do not pluck away the green stem. Once done, spread out the strawberries on a kitchen napkin for drying. Take care to check that the strawberries are completely dry. Even a small drop of water may affect the taste and texture of this dessert. Once done, use small toothpicks to spear into the fruit.
Covering with Chocolate
Dip these strawberries in a pan full of hot, melted chocolate. Here, you may choose to use layers of dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate. Chocolates can be used in combinations too, with the dark chocolate towards the stem and white chocolate towards the base of strawberries. After applying a thick layer of chocolate to the strawberries, place them on a sheet of wax paper. It is essential that the chocolate gives off all the steam, so as to protect the strawberries from excessive moisture. Now place the chocolate-covered strawberries in your refrigerator for at least half an hour, to hasten the process of chocolate setting. Once the chocolate hardens, remove from the refrigerator.
Freezing Strawberries
Take a clean plastic container. This container should be large enough to avoid these strawberries from overcrowding. Also the container box needs to have a tight lid or cap. Take a fresh piece of waxed paper and spread it at the base of the box. Now place the chocolate-covered strawberries on it. Strawberries may be placed inside the container in layers. However, make sure to add a fresh sheet of waxed paper between every two layers. Once done, place a last piece of waxed paper on top of the strawberries and just below the lid. Ensure that your strawberries are not getting squished while you shut the lid.
Storing the Plastic Container
Once the lid is tightly closed, place the container in the vegetable section of your refrigerator, as it is one of the coldest sections of the entire appliance. Ideally, keep the lid closed till you actually serve the strawberries.
Chocolate-covered strawberries should be served chilled. Do not place them out in the open or close to a heating medium lest they turn mushy. In this case, there is a high chance that the chocolate will melt and ruin the entire dessert. You may opt to serve chocolate-covered strawberries along with vodka or any other alcoholic beverage of your choice. It is interesting to note that chocolate-covered strawberries make for a really innovative Valentine’s day gift. Isn’t it romantic to combine fruits that are red, sweet and aromatic with some divine chocolate? Anyway, I now leave you to give you time to try out the above tips.