Making Chocolate Curls and Chocolate shavings

Using chocolate curls and chocolate shavings as a garnish is a simple way to make a dessert look very elegant.

To make the curls you will need a vegetable peeler or a paring knife.
To make shavings you will need a paring knife, preferably serrated.

You will also need either gloves or something to wrap around the chocolate to keep the heat from your hand from making the chocolate soft.

Take a piece of chocolate, either a candy bar or a square of baking chocolate and put it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes prior to shaving it or making curls.

Now, to make the curls, run the peeler or knife along the edge as if you were peeling a potato. As you peel it, the chocolate will naturally curl.
If the chocolate starts to soften, stick it in the fridge to firm up again.

To make shavings, use your knife to cut through the chocolate, getting as close to the edge of the bar as possible. If it is cold and firm enough, the chocolate should come off the bar in little shavings.
Just like making curls, if the chocolate starts to soften firm it back up in the fridge before shaving anymore.

Make sure to have the gloves on or something protecting your hand from the chocolate. You might think, you don't want to make much so the chocolate won't soften or melt, but it does not take long.