Chocolate-Dipped Clementines

You thought I was kidding when I said we were going to dip everything in chocolate this week, didn't you? Mmmmm, nope, pretty much not kidding at all.

The smell of clementines will always remind me of Christmas.  Growing up in Europe, we spent almost every Christmas in a different country.  I will have to dig up the picture of me riding a bobsled down the Olympic track in Norway so you guys can see my big dorky owl glasses and huge sweater.  I told you I was super cool.  The one thing that was pretty much always consistent was clementines. No matter where we were, we had clementines.

Also, when we moved back to the US, one Christmas my sister and I polished off an entire bag of oranges in one sitting.  (Not clementines my friends... Oranges... Probably like 10 pounds worth.  I'm pretty sure I must've had a vitamin deficiency at that point, because who does that?) 

So anyways, I think these dipped-clementines are not only super Christmasy, but also classy and delicious.  I highly recommend these for Christmas Eve festivities.


PS- If you love clementines, I wonder if you've made this soda yet?  Delish!

Chocolate-Dipped Clementines

-Clementines 

-Dark chocolate chips or chocolate bar chopped into pieces

Carefully peel and separate the wedges of your clementines.  If you "break any skin" and juice comes out, set that piece aside.  You won't be able to use it, or the juice will seize your chocolate. 

Let your wedges sit out for an hour or so to dry out.

Melt your chocolate chips in a double boiler, or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted.  Add a little vegetable oil to get your chocolate super smooth if you desire.

Take each clementine slice and dip it straight into the chocolate and pull straight back out*.  Gently shake to remove excess.  Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to set.  Repeat with each slice.

Once all slices are set, move to the fridge to cool before serving.  Serve within two days.  (The longer the pieces sit in the fridge, the more likely they are to "bloom".  If they do they will still taste good, but will not look as pretty.)

Bask in Christmasy goodness.


*If you want to dip the entire slice instead of just half, you'll want to use a dipping fork from a chocolate dipping set, or even a regular fork.  You can just dip it down into the chocolate and then coax it off the fork and onto the parchment by shaking gently while angled towards the baking sheet.