Chocolate-Dipped Fruit Wreath

Haven't made yet -- but sounds like a very pretty and special holiday buffet recipe. Can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated (about 6 hours, but not much more than that).

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 1 wreath

Ingredients

• 6  ounces  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1  tablespoon shortening
• 6  cups  fresh fruit (whole strawberries, grapes, mandarin orange segments, cherries, sliced star fruit, dried apricots, e)
•  fresh mint leaves or  fresh rosemary

• Orange Peel Bow

• 1  orange
•  sugar

Directions

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Wash and dry fruit. Slice star fruit.
3. Heat chocolate ships and shortening in a small pot over low heat, stirring often until smooth. Remove from heat.
4. Dip HALF of each fruit piece in chocolate. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
5. Arrange fruit on a serving plate in the shape of a wreath. Garnish with fresh rosemary and/or fresh mint leaves by inserting sprigs into the "wreath" then top with an orange peel bow.
6. Orange Peel Bow: Using a channel knife, cut a long strip of orange peel. Roll or sprinkle with sugar the arrange into a bow on top of the wreath.