• Prepare a plate, pan, or other surface with a layer of wax paper or parchment paper so you can catch your chocolate shavings -- and move them around, as needed.

For Jagged Chocolate Shavings

• Hold a bar of room-temperature chocolate at a 45-degree angle in one hand and the vegetable peeler in the other.

  Pull the vegetable peeler down along the side of the chocolate bar in a short stroke, shaving off jagged shards of chocolate. 

For Curled Chocolate Shavings

• Warm the block of chocolate in the microwave at 50% power in 5-second increments until slightly soft but not melted. It may take a couple of tries to get the chocolate to the right temperature. 

  Hold the chocolate bar at an angle in one hand and the vegetable peeler in the other. Slowly run the vegetable peeler along the length of the chocolate bar in an even motion to cut off a thin layer of chocolate into small curls.

  If the chocolate is too cold, it will break off in shards. If it is too warm, it will shave off in uncurled slices. Rewarm the chocolate as necessary.
• Place chocolate shavings in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.