The Stove-top Method over a Hot Water Bath:  Break 8 ounces to 1 pound of chocolate into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside in a perfectly dry
4- to 8-cup saucepan. Pour 2 to 3 inches of water into a roomy larger
pan and bring to the simmer. Remove the pan from heat and let cool 15 seconds; then cover the chocolate pan tightly, and set it in the pan of hot water. In 5 minutes or so stir up the chocolate, which should be smoothly melted and glistening. If not. Remove the chocolate pan and reheat the water in the larger pan to below the simmer, remove from heat, return the chocolate pan to it, and stir until the chocolate is smooth and glistening.
The Microwave Chocolate Melt:  (Microwave strengths vary, and if yours is top-of-the-line powerful, use the shorter amounts of time indicated.) Spread the chocolate pieces in an open glass bowl, and set uncovered in the microwave oven. Microwave on “high” for 45 seconds to 1 minute. The chocolate should be soft and glistening, and still hold some of its broken shapes. Stir it up to let to melt completely. But if it
has not quite melted, try another 10 to 15 seconds, and if necessary another, and another. I’m always on the conservative side here as to timing, since too many seconds and the chocolate will burn.
How to Melt Chocolate with Liquid Flavoring: When a recipe calls
for chocolate melted in a small amount of liquid flavoring, such as coffee or rum, the minimum amount of liquid is 1 tablespoon per 2 ounces of chocolate. You can add more but not less or the chocolate will stiffen.
As an example, break 8 ounces of chocolate into a saucepan and add
1/4 cup of strong coffee or rum. Cover the pan tightly and let it melt
over hot water as in the stove-top method. (Note: I prefer the water
bath method over the microwave when it is a question of chocolate and liquid – it works better for me.)
A Remedy for Stiffened Chocolate:  If you have mistreated your chocolate and it has “seized” (stiffened), you can usually smooth it out
by beating in a tablespoon of hot water, setting the pan in hot water, and stirring it about. It will rarely smooth out enough to glisten as a frosting should, but it will be suitable for use in cakes or sauces.