Q: What’s the best way to melt chocolate chips?

A: Chocolate chips contain lecithin, which helps them retain their shape when baked. But chocolate chips can be melted. Use this method: Bring an inch or two of water in a saucepan barely to a simmer. Place the chips in a bowl and place the bowl over the hot water, making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir the chips constantly until they melt. Remove the melted chips from the heat and use them immediately; melted chocolate chips firm up quickly as they cool. If you melt chocolate chips with butter, cream or oil, the chocolate melts more easily, is a little more liquid and firms up more slowly.