Food Friday >> Quick & Easy Chocolate Covered Strawberries

When I'm craving something sweet but don't really want to pack on the pounds and the deathly sugar+butter+flour combo -- I just make this quick dessert to quickly satisfy my sweet tooth!

Ingredients
-Chocolate Chips
-Strawberries

Other Things 
-Microwave-safe Bowl
-Spatula
-Cookie Sheet
-Parchment Paper

Directions

1. Wash your strawberries thoroughly, keeping the leaves (& stems) intact. Set aside to dry.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, add about one handful of chocolate chips (I'm using Ghiradelli's Dark Chocolate Chips), and microwave for about 25-30 seconds. Stir with a spatula. Add another handful of chocolate chips and microwave for another 25-30 seconds. Stir with a spatula. You should get a creamy consistency -- add more chips or microwave a bit longer if you desire/depending on how many strawberries you have.
3. Dip a strawberry in the melted chocolate (holding the leaves/stem part) and coat the entire strawberry except the leaves/stem.
4. Place it on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and slide it forwards about one centimeter (this helps give it a smooth bottom and prevents it from sticking to the parchment paper).
5. Repeat steps 3+4 for all the strawberries.
6. (Optional) Place each strawberry in a cupcake wrapper then arrange them on a large plate.
7. Place the chocolate covered strawberries in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes to cool.
8. Ready to eat!