Can’t afford a $20 heart-shaped box of chocolates? Try this quick alternative that will delight your sweetheart and save your wallet.

Chocolate-Covered

Strawberries:

• 2 pints strawberries

• 1 pound bittersweet or

semisweet chocolate pieces

• Tender loving care

Melt the chocolate using a double-boiler or, melt the pieces on a bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. When completely melted, remove from heat and dip the strawberries (make sure the berries are dry). Place dipped strawberries on a baking sheet or plate lined with wax paper or aluminum foil and refrigerate for 20 minutes. When ready to surprise your lover, serve immediately.

For a more attractive chocolate-covered strawberry, “temper” the chocolate before dipping the heart-shaped berries by melting it at a specific temperature to achieve a glossier finish.

To do so, melt two-thirds of the chocolate using the hot-water bath method above, to about 115 degrees F. Remove from heat and add the remaining chocolate to the melted chocolate, stirring with a spatula. Using a thermometer, make sure the melted chocolate is at 90 degrees F before dipping.