It is strawberry time in Beaufort, SC ! And the place to go to pick these sun-ripened jewels of delicious sweetness is Dempsey Farms on St. Helena Island. There is nothing quite so enjoyable as taking a basket and walking through the rows and rows of strawberry plants to find the perfect berry – bright red with frilly green leaves on top. And half the enjoyment is picking a few strawberries that don’t make it into the basket!
Here’s a couple of trivia questions. What fruit has its seeds on the outside? You guessed it, strawberries! Along with blackberries, raspberries, bayberries, cashews and pineapples. Why is the strawberry red? Give up? To attract birds to eat and spread the seeds. Nature is so very clever.
This year I’ve not picked strawberries (there is still time!); however, this hasn’t deterred me from purchasing Florida grown berries at my local grocer. I love them in my morning shake leafy greens and all, atop a salad, mixed into Greek yogurt or just plain and simple.
My absolute favorite way to enjoy strawberries is dipped into chocolate! So the other day when I needed to take along a treat to a ladies tennis match I decided that a platter of chocolate dipped strawberries would be the perfect elegant, delicious and maybe even nutritious treat! They make such a “wow” presentation and they are so simple to make.
To make 24 of these lovelies I did the following –
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (aluminum foil will work)
- Chop 1/4 pound of dark chocolate. Note: I used Trader Joe’s Belgian Chocolate because this is what I had on hand. I’ve also used Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Chips.
- Place chocolate in microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Take bowl from microwave, bow will be hot. Be careful and use a hot mitt. Stir chocolate and if not melted through put into microwave for another 30 seconds. Check chocolate and stir until all chocolate chunks are melted. Be careful not to burn the chocolate.
- Gently wipe strawberries with a paper towel or clean dish cloth. Do not wash because the strawberries will get mushy.
- Hold the strawberry by the green leafy tops and dip half of the strawberry into the chocolate. Pull the strawberry out of the chocolate and let the excess drip off. I use a twirling motion.
- Place on baking sheet.
- When you’ve run out of chocolate or all strawberries are dipped place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about an hour.
- When ready to serve place on platter and enjoy!
These delicious treats always amaze. And they are spectacular with wine or a glass of bubbly! The tennis ladies loved them. They said they were an unexpected and special treat! Something so fancy and yet so simple is hard to resist!
Sandra
Lowcountry.Felicity.Life 
its wonderful when they arrive. summer is close now 🙂
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Yum and I loved the idea of the simple to make, but elegant treat. Thank you!
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Thank you Deb…I think my niche needs to be simple and elegant, agree? I like the juxtaposition.
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Thanks for the heads up! Want to go pick some this week? If so, text me! Let’s do it!
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These look absolutely delicious! Thanks so much for your kind words on my blog. Your blog is delightful and I look forward to following you.
Happy Weekend!
Heather @ Style*Mind*Chic Life
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Love the strawberries there! This is a very cute post! Good job. Love the chocolate one! Have a great week.
Maria
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Thank you!
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Great post, love the chocolate one the best. I need to take a ride to the farms soon
Maria
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Thank you for reading my post! I couldn’t make it to the farm so I went to the Port Royal Farmer’s Market on Saturday and found some grown by a local farmer and hand dipped some more for the final match yesterday. Made enough for dessert last evening!
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I love everything about this post! Strawberries are my favorite but I’ve never gotten to pick them myself! You’re so right, the best way to eat them is dipped in chocolate! Nothing beats it!
xx, Caitlin
http://www.wandererandwolf.com
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Caitlin, thank you so much for your comment on my post…I cannot stop dipping strawberries…it is an obsession while they are fresh and oh so delicious! By the way, your blog makes me long for Michigan. Many, many, many years ago I lived in East Lansing and then Farmington Hills for a total of 8 years. I worked in Detroit for a bit. It was in Michigan I saw my first big snow and discovered Big 10 football and heard the phrase “geez o pete!” I look forward to reading more about your wanderings. P.S. Love Chicago, too!
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Oh yum! There’s just nothing quite like chocolate and strawberries. Definitely a delicious treat, and I will absolutely need to try Trader Joe’s Belgian Chocolate. It sounds amazing!!
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I can’t seem to stop dipping strawberries into chocolate! Recently I used Ghirardelli 60% dark chocolate chips and the result was delicious! I am sure whatever chocolate you choose will delight the taste buds!
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Oh how I can’t wait for strawberry season again. In New Zealand we are coming into winter. Fab photos.
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Lowcountry winters are generally mild except for that occasional freeze. We are heading into summertime, hot and humid. We just had our first tropical storm! June 1 marks the start of the dreaded hurricane season!
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