South Beach Diet Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Note from Cheri: The recipe and text below are reprinted with permission from The South Beach Diet -- Parties & Holidays Cookbook by Arthur Agatston, MD (2006 Rodale). What I like best about this book, along with other South Beach Diet Cookbook (see The South Beach Diet Dining Guide and The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook) is that the recipes are appealing even you aren't following Dr. Arthur Agatston's wildly popular South Beach Diet. To eat food this good and still lose weight is just a happy bonus. You'll get 20 full party plans and menus and 150 delicious South Beach Diet friendly recipes. Now you can entertain and still stay on your diet. The food will be so good, your friends and family will never suspect they eating healthy. Click here for more information about this book along with discount ordering links through Amazon.com NOTE: This recipe is part of an entire South Beach Diet party plan -- Hors d’Oeuvres Party for a Crowd (click link for party plan and many more recipes).

Toasted sesame seeds add extra crunch and a tasty surprise to this easy-to-eat dessert. Look for large strawberries with stems for the nicest presentation.

1/3 cup walnut pieces, finely chopped 2 tablespoons sesame seeds 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate 2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half 20 large strawberries with stems (about 2 pints), rinsed and dried

Makes 10 (2-piece) Servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 15 minutes Preheat oven to 275°F. Spread walnuts on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. While nuts are toasting, place sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, gently shaking pan back and forth, until seeds are golden, about 5 minutes. Allow nuts and seeds to cool, then mix together in a shallow bowl. Heat chocolate and half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisking until chocolate is melted, about 3 minutes. Line a baking pan with wax paper. Dip strawberries into chocolate (about three-quarters of the way in), then dip one side into nut and seed mixture, coating well. Place nut side up in baking pan. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes, and serve. Make-Ahead: Walnuts and sesame seeds can be toasted up to 3 days ahead. Strawberries can be dipped up to 8 hours ahead. Carefully cover berries and refrigerate; do not freeze. Nutrition Per Serving: 0 calories, 7 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 2 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 0 mg sodium.