The Recipe Critic

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries Posted: 03 Feb 2022 05:00 AM PST Chocolate-covered strawberries are ripe, juicy strawberries that are dipped it into melted chocolate. Then, you garnish them with a variety of toppings to really make this treat for just about everyone! I love strawberries and I love dessert! Put them together and enjoy these strawberry desserts for any occasion like this strawberry pie, this amazing no-bake cheesecake, or these delicious cheesecake stuffed strawberries! The Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries Chocolate-covered strawberries are seriously so good. I mean, I just can’t resist mixing some juicy fruit with rich chocolate covering the top. Every single bite is perfect and delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! These chocolate-covered strawberries are the best for Valentine's Day! They are delicious, easy and not to mention the right color. This is a classic dessert that is primarily tied to the month of February, and I really just want these to be made for every single holiday. They are SO good! Plus, they can easily be switched up to add different toppings, so you can have a lot of different looks and flavors on your platter. Make these strawberries for Valentine's charcuterie board if you want to go the extra mile. Then there is really something for everyone! Ingredients to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries: This dessert not only tastes fantastic but it also looks like a million bucks. Plus, you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make them! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.  Chocolate: You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or dark chocolate for your strawberries! Or, keep it interesting and do a few of each. Shortening: This creates a smoother consistency for your chocolate.  Strawberries: When you are picking out your strawberries, make sure to pick out the largest ones that you can. These are easier to dip and hold on to when eating them.  Toppings (Optional): Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crushed candy bars, and crushed peppermint.  Let’s Dip Some Strawberries! This recipe is simple and easy! All you need is a few ingredients and a microwave to melt your chocolate. Once you try them out, then you will want to make these for every occasion!  Melt Chocolate: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate of choice and shortening. Melt and stir after every 30 seconds until chocolate is completely smooth. Dip and Add Toppings: Dip the strawberry in chocolate so that it is completely covered. Then, lay it on parchment paper to set. If using toppings, immediately put them on the top. What is the Best Type of Chocolate to Melt? I like to use chocolate chips or candy melts for chocolate-covered strawberries. That’s because they have a delicious flavor and melt into a smooth and creamy texture. You can find them in any baking aisle at your local grocery store. Your store should have different kinds of milk, dark and white chocolate chips. Try using specialty chocolate like Ghirardelli or Guittard for a little more chocolaty taste. Tips for making Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Picking strawberries: Red strawberries with little to no yellow will have the best flavor! Also, try and get bigger strawberries. They will be easier to dip and to hold.  Preparing strawberries: Make sure to wash and then completely dry your strawberries before starting. The chocolate won’t stick if they are wet at all!  Holding strawberries while dipping: Hold the strawberries by their green leaves. Then, dip the strawberry in the bowl (make sure to roll it so that it’s completely covered.) If you can’t get a good enough grip on the greens then try using a fork or wooden skewer at the top instead. Set up chocolate-covered strawberries: Your strawberries will stick to your tray if you don’t use parchment paper. So don’t skip this step! You can also use a nonstick silicone baking mat. Drizzling: To drizzle a topping onto the strawberries, take a ziplock bag and cut a small hole in the corner. Then, fill the bag with your topping and slowly squeeze it out of the hole onto the top of your strawberry. Make different designs and toppings to change things up!  To keep chocolate-covered strawberries from sweating: Sometimes, you might see drops of water on your chocolate shell while the strawberries are in the fridge. Don’t wipe it off, just grab a paper towl and dab them with it. It will absord the consensation! Variations You can dip or drizzle these strawberries to your heart’s content! There are endless options out there on how you can make these strawberries just right for you and your guests. Here are a few ideas! Drizzle: Add your drizzle of topping on after your chocolate has hardened on the strawberry. I like to use white, milk, or dark chocolate melts, melted peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or caramel sauce! Just cut a tiny hole in the corner of a ziplock bag and put in your topping of choice. Drizzle it over the top of the strawberry and enjoy! Toppings: Add your toppings right after your strawberry has been dipped. That way, your toppings will have something to stick to. I have tried sanding sugar, candy, or cookies that have been crushed up or even graham cracker crumbs!  How to Make These Ahead of Time  These chocolate-covered strawberries are SO simple to make! Plus, they are a fun treat to have your kids help you make! They will love getting to dip them! Can you make Chocolate Covered Strawberries Ahead of time? YES! They will last about 2 to 3 days stored in an airtight container in your fridge. If you see that they have condensation building up on them then just go ahead and dab them with a paper towel. Can you Freeze Chocolate Covered Strawberries? I don’t recommend freezing them. It is best to keep them covered in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. This is because the strawberries will build up condensation on top of the chocolate as they defrost. This makes the chocolate melt quickly and it creates a bit of a mess. I would stick to storing them in the fridge! More Delicious Valentine Desserts to Try Once you have made these chocolate covered strawberries then you are going to want even more recipes to try out for the holiday! My kids love it when I add in a lot of themed treats for any holiday so here are some of our favorites that we enjoy! Desserts Heart-Shaped Cake Desserts The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe! Desserts Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies (3 ingredients!) Valentine's Day Sweetheart Valentine’s Buddies Print Chocolate Covered Strawberries Chocolate-covered strawberries are ripe, juicy strawberries that are dipped it into melted chocolate. Then, you garnish them with a variety of toppings to really make this treat for just about everyone!  Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword chocolate covered strawberries, Chocolate Strawberries Prep Time 15 minutes Total Time 15 minutes Servings 8 people Calories 197kcal Author Alyssa Rivers Ingredients 8 ounce semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate 1 Tablespoon shortening 1 pint strawberries Optional Toppings: Sprinkles mini chocolate chips chopped nuts crushed candy bars crushed peppermint Instructions Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate of choice and shortening. Melt and stir after every 30 seconds until chocolate is completely smooth. Dip the strawberry so that it is completely covered and then lay it on parchment paper to set. If using toppings, immediately put them on the top. Notes Updated on February 3, 2022 Originally Posted on February 1, 2020 Nutrition Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

Chickpea Tacos Posted: 02 Feb 2022 05:00 PM PST Chickpea tacos are a great way to get your daily protein and all the Tex-Mex flavors that you crave! These flavorful tacos are loaded with fresh veggies and topped off with a creamy cilantro drizzle! Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a versatile superfood that can be used in a bunch of different recipes! Crispy air fryer chickpeas, hummus, and Southwest chickpea salad are just a few tasty recipes to start you out with. Easy and Fresh Chickpea Taco Recipe Healthy eating can be tough! My mind says salad, but my heart says tacos! These chickpea tacos are the answer we’ve all been looking for. It’s a way to curb that craving for street tacos while also giving your body the nutrition it needs. Each flour tortilla is topped with creamy avocado pieces, tomato, crunchy red onion, jalapenos, and cojita cheese. You can swap out any of these toppings to your liking! To top it all off, I add some homemade creamy cilantro ranch drizzle on top. It gives it the perfect punch of zesty, creamy flavor! It’s so amazing! You’re going to love adding this recipe to your meal rotations. If you haven’t already started incorporating chickpeas into your diet, you should definitely try! They have a super versatile, mild flavor that works in a lot of different cuisines. Not to mention, they’re loaded with protein and vitamins! In fact, in a 1-cup serving of cooked chickpeas, you’ll get nearly 15 grams of protein! The other great thing about these chickpea tacos is that they’re super quick to throw together. Tasty tacos bursting with flavor in less than 15 minutes! It’s the perfect lunch and will keep you full all day! What Are Chickpeas? Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a legume! Legumes are edible seeds, and include things like beans, lentils, and peas. Chickpeas are a superfood loaded with vitamins, protein, and fiber. You’ve probably already had them in hummus! Ingredients for Chickpea Tacos 4 easy ingredients is all it takes to make the foundation of these tacos. From there, you just add all of your favorite toppings! These chickpea tacos are the perfect lunch. So quick and easy! If you’re looking for measurements, they can all be found below! Canned Chickpeas: You can also find these labeled as garbanzo beans. Olive Oil: Used to add a little moisture and flavor while the chickpeas are stir-fried. Homemade Taco Seasoning: You can use your favorite packaged taco seasoning here, or make it from scratch! It’s super easy and tastes delicious. Find my full recipe here. Small Flour Tortillas: Homemade tortillas are the key to making the most delicious tacos! You can make them from scratch with just a few simple ingredients. Find the recipe here! Optional Toppings Avocado: A must! Avocados are so creamy and delicious! They’re also a great source of healthy fats. Tomato: I dice mine into little pieces for bits of juicy flavor. Red Onion: Red onion is a great way to add a little crunch to your chickpea tacos. They’re loaded with sharp flavor, too! Jalapeno: Chopped jalapenos add the perfect spice. Cilantro: Add cilantro on top for some nice aromatics! Cotija Cheese: Cotija is a delicious cheese that tastes savory and milky. It can sometimes be tricky to find- feta and parmesan are great substitutes! Creamy Cilantro Ranch: This sauce, in my opinion, is what brings the tacos together! It’s the perfect blend of creamy and zesty! How to Make Chickpea Tacos This healthy lunch is as easy as it gets. Tasty tacos loaded with flavor in a pinch! Looking for more healthy, quick and easy recipes? You can find my full list here! Prepare Chickpeas: First, drain and rinse the chickpeas. Then, pat with a paper towel to dry. Stir-Fry: In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat, add the chick peas, olive oil and taco seasoning. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until the chick peas are crispy. Assemble: Next, add the chickpea mixture to the tortilla. Top with favorite toppings! Tips and Variations Here are a few things I like to do to make my chickpea tacos as delicious as possible! The sky is the limit when it comes to fillings and sauces for these tacos. You’re going to love what you create! Drain and Dry: Be sure to drain your chickpeas completely and pat them dry before cooking. This will prevent them from becoming soggy when cooked. Make Your Own Tortillas: The key to getting tacos that taste like they’re from your favorite taco truck is to make them from scratch. You’ll be amazed at how much better your tacos taste when they have the perfect foundation! They only take a few ingredients to make and are super easy. Find my recipe here for the softest, most delicious tortillas ever! More Toppings: Add your favorite Tex-Mex toppings here! Sometimes I like to switch it up and add guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo! Sauces: Not a cilantro fan? I’ve got you covered! You can easily swap out the cilantro ranch for plain ranch, chipotle sauce, enchilada sauce, or even mango lime salsa for a zesty twist! Storing Leftovers I like to store toppings and tortillas separately for best results! Here’s how to keep them on hand to make the most delicious lunch in a snap! Homemade Tortillas: Your tortillas can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to keep them in a Ziploc bag for easy access. Perfect for throwing together wraps! Chopped Veggies: As a general rule of thumb, I will keep my chopped vegetables in plastic containers in the fridge no longer than 3 days. Always check the freshness of each one before using. To keep avocados from browning, spritz a little lemon juice on them! More Great Tex-Mex Recipes Bursting with things like peppers, corn, juicy tomato, salsa, and cheese, you can’t go wrong with Tex-Mex! Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are super delicious and so easy to make. They’re packed with so many bright veggies and amazing flavors! Soup Recipes Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder Dinner Amazing Steak Fajitas Dinner Queso Chicken Skillet Side Dishes Amazing Mexican Corn Salad Print Chickpea Tacos Chickpea tacos are a great way to get your daily protein and all the Tex-Mex flavors that you crave! These flavorful tacos are loaded with fresh veggies and topped off with a creamy cilantro drizzle! Course Dinner Cuisine American, Mexican Keyword chickpea tacos Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Total Time 20 minutes Servings 4 people Calories 124kcal Author Alyssa Rivers Ingredients 2 (15 ounce cans) chickpeas 1 Tablespoon olive oil 2 Tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning 4-5 small flour tortillas Optional Toppings Avocado Tomato Red Onion Jalapeno Cilantro Cotija Cheese Creamy Cilantro Ranch Instructions Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Pat with a paper towel to dry. In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat add the chickpeas, olive oil, and taco seasoning. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until the chickpeas are crispy. To assemble the tacos: Add the chickpea mixture to the tortilla. Top with favorite toppings! Nutrition Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

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