Recipe: Melted dipping chocolate

This is Shari's Secret Recipe No. 4, in "Berried in Chocolate."

• 1 (12-oz.) bag semisweet chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips)

• 1/4 tsp. orange, hazelnut or mint extract or liqueur, optional

Directions

Put chips in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on defrost setting for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir. Return to microwave for another 2 to 3 minutes. Stir. Repeat until chips are completely melted.

If desired, add liqueur or flavored extract.

Pour melted chocolate into fondue pot or slow cooker. Keep warm on lowest setting and place on a table for dipping goodies. Stir occasionally if necessary.

SHARI'S CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRY MARTINI

Serves 1.

This is Shari's Secret Recipe No. 8, in "Berried in Chocolate."

• Chocolate syrup

• Red sugar

• 11/2 oz. strawberry vodka

• 1/2 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur

• Splash strawberry purée

• Splash cream

• Ice

• 1 chocolate-dipped strawberry, partially sliced and fanned out

Directions

Swirl chocolate syrup inside a chilled martini glass. Rim with red sugar. Shake vodka, liqueur, strawberry purée and cream over ice, and strain into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with chocolate-dipped strawberry placed elegantly on the rim.

MOM'S STRAWBERRY PIE

Serves 8.

This is Shari's Secret Recipe No. 3, in "Berried in Chocolate."

Piecrust:

• 18 graham crackers

• 1/4 c. sugar

• 1/2 c. (1 stick) melted butter (not margarine)

Strawberry filling:

• 11/2 c. cold water

• 2 tbsp. cornstarch

• 1 (3-oz.) pkg. sugar-free strawberry gelatin

• 3 tbsp. sugar

• 4 c. hulled, sliced strawberries

Directions

For pie crust: Crush graham crackers into a bowl. You should have approximately 11/2 cups. Add sugar and melted butter, and mix well. Press the mixture firmly into a buttered, 8-inch pie pan. Chill the crust in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes.

For strawberry filling: In a saucepan, mix together water and cornstarch. Bring this to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn down heat to medium and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the gelatin and sugar, mixing well until dissolved. Add the strawberries; mix together well. Pour into graham cracker crust. Place in refrigerator until set (about 2 hours). If desired, serve with whipped topping.