Making Chocolate Curls

One of the easiest and most effective chocolate decorations, chocolate curls are made from block chocolate, available at gourmet markets and some supermarkets. Cut a 3- to 4-ounce chunk from the chocolate. The chocolate must be slightly warm before curling. One way to warm it is to place the chocolate in your apron pocket (if it has one) for about 30 minutes to heat from your body’s warmth. Or, place the chocolate in a warm place (near a turned-on oven or stove) for about 30 minutes. Another alternative is to microwave the chocolate on low power at 10-second intervals. Or blow warm air from a hair dryer over the chocolate. The chocolate should be warmed, but not melting.