[8] Although there are several things to love about Valentine's Day (so much pink! my birthday falls the day after!) there is one thing that I love the most about it: It's a day when it's completely socially acceptable to stuff your face with chocolate.
Of course, where the chocolate came from is neither here nor there (thanks, Mom). All that matters is that, across the world, Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated for love. Though I may be single and already envisioning my life as a crazy cat lady, I don’t like to write off the holiday just because there isn’t a ‘special someone’ to celebrate with. Plus, there certainly is a special someone to celebrate for: Myself.
The “Holiday of Love” is not strictly confined to the concept of loving another person. Love is a universally applicable feeling. In this case, I choose to love food. And this Thursday the 14th, there is no food I would rather love than chocolate.
In my opinion, there is nothing more indulgent than a rich, dark cocoa. It’s heavy on both antioxidants and taste bud-charging yumminess. While I can appreciate dark chocolate in a variety of dishes, I’m happiest with it on its own. Solo dolo, just like me!
The perfect treat for Valentine's Day though? Dark chocolate-dipped strawberries.
In total, this recipe will take ten minutes. It requires:
- 2 squares of your fave dark chocolate (I recommend Ghiradelli, obv)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Simply combine the chocolate and water in a saucepan and heat over a low temperate, stirring until the chocolate has melted. Add the sugar. Continue cooking over low heat while stirring constantly. Remove your pan from the heat and stir in the butter (cause what’s a dessert without any butter?) and the vanilla. Dip your strawberries in and enjoy while hot!
Happy Valentine's Day to all, both single and taken, and I hope this recipe has made you all as deliciously happy as I know it will make me!
