My holiday celebrating seems to start a little earlier every year.
This year, my family grudgingly put up with a preview of Michael Bublé‘s new Christmas CD before Halloween. (I know, I know). I’ve not been able to play it since without major groans from the audience. And who can blame them.
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or a different holiday you are preparing for, it’s nice to have some dessert options that are a little lighter to balance off the heavier hitting classics. It’s also a particularly good time of year to ramp up on vitamin C as we enter the true season of giving and receiving.
So, with that spirit in mind, I’m pleased to introduce Strawberry Tuesdays which will appear at Inspired Edibles through the month of December.
This recipe could not be simpler. The sea salt shows up beautifully against the dark chocolate giving it a shimmering glow and the lime is different and refreshing. I hope you enjoy it.
You can prepare the strawberries the morning of, or even a day before, and store them in the fridge until showtime.
Strawberry Tuesdays: La Margarita
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150 grams 75% cocoa chocolate
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18 or so fresh strawberries
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pinch of coarse sea salt
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pinch of grated lime zest
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Tequila, optional
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Note:
I promise not to judge the adults if they choose to enjoy a shot of tequila with their strawberry-chocolate margarita delights.
And, not that I would know this from personal experience but, I’m told that if you try adding tequila to the warm, melted chocolate it will seize – better to enjoy on the side.
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Melt chocolate in a small sturdy pot on stove over lowest heat, stirring until fully dissolved.
Remove pot from heat and allow it to settle for a moment.
Taking one strawberry at a time, simply dip the berry into the pot of warm melted chocolate, coating it as much or as little as desired.
Place the chocolate coated strawberry on a plate or tray and sprinkle with a few crystals of salt and a touch of lime zest before the chocolate dries, so that the lime and salt adhere to the berries.
Simple as that.
Store in the fridge until serving time.
FoodJaunts says
I love chocolate covered strawberries and your photo looks absolutely gorgeous.
Charles Smith says
I’m very ashamed to admit I’ve had neither :( I’ve had fruit dipped in a chocolate fountain before (does that count?) – I’ve also stared with my tongue out at a rack of strawberries dipped in white chocolate in the window of the chocolatier Godiva, in Brussels too… that must count for something :D
Greg says
I had this up the other day and then got distracted, ever since I’ve had margarita on my brain!
foodfashionandflow says
These look so delicious, especially the addition of salt. I am a huge fan of Michael Buble too!
inspirededibles says
thank you Nami! they were a hit with the whole family and there are so many variations you can try. It’s fun – xo
inspirededibles says
hee-hee… thanks for noticing! ;0
inspirededibles says
thanks Claudie – it’s a fun one and so easy to prepare…
inspirededibles says
hee-hee… that’s great about your hubby! :)
inspirededibles says
I’m glad you like them, thanks so much!
inspirededibles says
Thank you so much Carolina – I appreciate you stopping by!
inspirededibles says
thank you Elegant Eggplant – our family enjoyed the preview ;0
inspirededibles says
thanks Miss P. it’s quite light and refreshing.
inspirededibles says
Linda – that’s such a great idea – i can totally picture a tray of chocolate covered berries with tequila shots going around at a party – fun!
inspirededibles says
thanks so much Lynn – I got lucky on the shot ;0 – it’s a fun one and as Linda below mentions, a great party idea to pass them around with shots – love that!!
inspirededibles says
I too enjoy the old salt-sweet cross court combo and was pleasantly surprised by how well the lime flavour came through.
inspirededibles says
hee-hee, excellent! Thanks for stopping by Shauna :)
inspirededibles says
that’s so interesting about the salt to chocolate – i’m relatively new to it but it was so nice… strawberries are hardly in good shape here but i still wanted to work with them ;0 Cheers Sissi!
inspirededibles says
thanks firefoodie!
inspirededibles says
hee-hee, tequila has its fans but it’s not for everyone for sure. Glad you like the photo Mandy – thank you for your kind words. xo
inspirededibles says
thanks Chris – just nice to vary it up a bit – the lime zest comes through surprisingly well here.
inspirededibles says
you’ve never had strawberries dipped in chocolate? Mais qu’est ce qui ce passe?? Surely you’ve had chocolate fondue… Charles, tell me you’ve had chocolate fondue! :0
inspirededibles says
yay! Thanks Kay xo
inspirededibles says
ha-ha, agreed, his voice seems to work well with the holiday tunes! Thanks Anne :)
inspirededibles says
Excellent – will think of you too when I’m listening :)
inspirededibles says
thanks sarah – it’s a yum!
inspirededibles says
hee-hee, I keep hoping if I put it in front of you you’ll come to your senses – :0
inspirededibles says
i’m with you! spread the joy :) Thanks Curt.
inspirededibles says
ha-ha! it almost certainly is… merry me, merry me ;) xo
inspirededibles says
I think I could drizzle melted chocolate on just about anything – ;0
inspirededibles says
thanks yummy – i loved the contrast between sweet and savoury – the salt is surprisingly yummy!
inspirededibles says
Ah, a cozy, intimate holiday sounds wonderful. Enjoy Mj
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Oh I love chocolate covered strawberries!! It’s my first time seeing sea salt and lime zest on it. I must remember trying adding them. Kids love it and always look nice on a platter… I love it! :-)
Joanne says
I had to laugh at that “true season of giving and receiving” business. All the more reason to eat healthier desserts! Love this!
Claudie says
I haven’t had a margarita in a while, and now I’m craving your dessert — it makes for the perfect, *healthy* substitute :) love it!
Lisa says
I love how you added the sea salt and fresh lime zest. Oh, believe it or not my husband enjoys listening to Michael Buble. Not sure if he appreciates me letting you all know! lol
Kimber says
This is genius! I cannot wait to try these little delectable treats!
Carolina HeartStrings says
Incredible picture and sounds like a wonderful treat!
The Elegant Eggplant says
What a wonderful holiday treat this is!!
Juniakk says
love the idea of adding some zest to the strawberries :).
Linda says
Kelly, I love chocolate covered strawberries and this idea rocks! I can so see it being passed as a party with shots!! I’m not a shot girl, but all my “party” friends are! Love the sea salt on top!
Lbergeron says
What a beautiful photo! Nice deep rich color. Love strawberry dip chocolate, nice twist with the lime! A pleaser for any festive occasion! Great idea, thanks!
Look forward to hearing more about strawberries!
Lynn
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
What a great twist on chocolate covered strawberries! I love the lime zest!!!The salty-sweet combo is one of my faves too :)
Shauna says
Perfect! I’ll enjoy them with a shot and listen to my rock ‘n roll boyfriend!
Sissi says
Your dessert looks fantastic and so surprisingly light among the apple cakes, pumpkin pies and other heavy Autumn recipes we all read about (and post! and bake). I always add a bit of salt to dark chocolate so I can only imagine how heavenly the combination tastes. Sadly, here strawberries are completely bland now :-(
Firefoodie says
Tequila lime and strawberries… brilliant.
Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says
Oh boy, what perfection and exquisitely beautiful! Love the specks of salt and zest! Will leave the tequila for my hubby though.
:-) Mandy
The Café Sucré Farine says
I like the idea of something fresh and different at this time of the year – although I love all the autumn flavors it’s so nice to have something totally different – like this yummy sounding treat!
Charles Smith says
Nom nom nom :) I love dipped strawberries. I see it done from time to time in TV shows, but never tried doing it myself. I’ll stick to melting my chocolate in my water-bath though. Ever since my beautiful pan of chocolate turned into a thick, stolid paste… :(
Purecomplexblog says
I Just LOVE fresh strawberries.. I think this V recipe is perfect for me
Anne@Frommysweetheart says
Kelly…you’ve just made strawberries, which are perfect and beautiful all on their own….so much more appealing! I love this photo of this simple, chocolate dipped strawberry with the little bits of zest! I’m going to be looking forward to Tuesdays in the month of December! Thanks for the tip about the chocolate seizing. I’ll have my shot on the side while I listen to Michael Buble. How can you not listen to him at Christmas!
Sylvie @ Gourmandeinthekitchen says
LOL, I’m laughing because I love Michael Bublé and always have him on rotation during the holidays as well!
sarah says
Love the lime/salt/chocolate strawberry combination! And looking forward to more strawberry tuesdays!!
Kristy says
Wow! How fun! Even though I’m not a big chocolate fan, I’m really looking forward to Strawberry Tuesdays! I LOVE strawberries. And I’m totally getting in the spirit of things early this year too. I’ve held off on the music though…waiting until Thanksgiving. ;)
Curt D says
Sounds absolutely delicious. It’s never too early to start celebrating the holidays!
My Inner Chick says
Lovely. The lime colour looks beautiful & decadent rubbing agaist the chocolate.
Magical.
I bet Michael Bublé’s album is getting you in the mood, Miss Kelly :)) X
My Inner Chick http://myinnerchick.com
Baker Street says
Strawberry and chocolate is such a divine combination! :)
inspirededibles says
oh, he shot the strawberry – how smart (and disquieting all at once ;0) – yes,the water content in the tequila is a sure killer via the chocolate. How great that you shared this tip! thanks Eliot.
Eliotseats says
We had some strawberries once at a catered event that were spiked with tequila. We asked the caterer how they did it and they shot each strawberry full of tequila with a syringe. I wonder how that would be with these beautifully dipped and salted berries? I love how that sea salt shows up.
inspirededibles says
ha-ha-ha!! my other husband, loved that ;0
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I love these, Kelly! Really looking forward to more strawberry recipes! Oh, and I also love Michael Buble! He’s my other husband.
Yummychunklet says
How pretty! Love the coarse sea salt!
Mjskit says
I was sitting here looking for ideas for a “light” dessert this year since it’s just going to be the hubby and me and here it is! What a great idea! I especially like the shot of Tequila as a complement to the lime zest. :)