Chocolate Dipped Mandarins

We have a winner!

I recently made chocolate dipped mandarin tangerine slices, and boy, was it a hit!  The sweet, slightly bitter chocolate and the juicy orange combine perfectly.  The surprise sprinkling of salt adds depth and complexity.

I suppose you might even make a case that this is health food since it’s chock full of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants.  Right?  Right?  It’s good for me.  I know it is.  I should probably eat more…

Plus it was so very easy to make.  Tasty, elegant and easy – that’s the perfect recipe, if you ask me.

Here’s what you need:

• 2 oz Baking chocolate
• 2 T. Cream – give or take
• 2 of your favorite variety of Tangerines – Mandarin, Clementines, Cuties or Halos
• Course sea salt

Peel the tangerines and divide the slices.  Clean the strings and pith for pretty slices.

I used a 2 ounces (half) of a Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate bar.  Break into pieces and heated it in the microwave in a small bowl for about one minute.  Stir.  Add enough half and half to smooth the chocolate and make it a little more creamy.  Keep heating at 30 second intervals and stirring in between.  Add half and half as desired.  (You may need to take a taste to make sure the chocolate is the right consistency.)

After you’ve melted the chocolate dip the slices into the chocolate and place slices on wax paper.

Finish by sprinkling with sea salt while the chocolate is still warm.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens.

Keeps for a day or two in the refrigerator.

Pair with a malty Assam or strong Ceylon Black tea.