Lovin' Spoonful: Sweets for the sweet
by Sherrie Norris
There's no better way to say “Be My Valentine,” than with
treats from the kitchen.
Sweets for the sweet, a candlelight dinner for two, breakfast in bed — it doesn't matter how you express your love this Valentine's Day, just as long as you do it.
As the most romantic of all celebrations arrives, take time to lavish your loved one with the things that mean a lot; it doesn't have to be an expensive gift. Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.
Spend time reflecting on the good times; try re-enacting your first date, renew your wedding vows, for example.
Play a little “romantic trivia” by creating a game based on questions about your relationship: Where was our first kiss? Where did we go on our first date? What kind of car did I own when we first met?
Give rewards for the right answers and lovingly accept the wrong ones.
If all else fails, or even before it has a chance to, you may want to head to the kitchen and stir up a little something sweet for your loved one.
These recipes are sure to get to the heart of the matter:
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Fresh strawberries
Semisweet chocolate chips
Crisco shortening
Ahead of time, rinse (and let air dry) fresh strawberries with stems intact. For each batch, melt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon Crisco over double boiler, stirring constantly. Dip strawberry halfway in chocolate and place on waxed paper until set. Best if served the same day.(White chocolate works great, too.)
Valentine Pancakes
Heart-shaped pancakes are the perfect treat for your valentine. Simply mix pancake batter as usual and make a few large, skillet-sized pancakes. Cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter, stack and serve with a red berry syrup or red jam or jelly, warmed to thinned stage.
Crispy Chocolate Heart Cookies
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
2 Tbs. butter or margarine
3 cups crisp rice cereal
Frosting (optional)
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
Line cookie sheet with waxed paper; grease paper with butter or margarine. Set aside.
Mix chocolate, corn syrup and 2 Tbs. butter or margarine in a heavy medium saucepan, cooking over low heat; stirring constantly until melted.
Or, place chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and butter or margarine in a one and a half-quart microwave-safe casserole.
Microwave, uncovered on high for 1 minute or until chocolate and butter melt, stirring once.
Add cereal to chocolate mixture, stir until evenly coated.
Pat cereal onto prepared cookie sheet.
Chill about 20 minutes or until slightly firm then cut mixture with heart-shaped cookie cutter. Decorate with frosting, if desired.
Chill until firm; wrap each heart in plastic wrap. Return to fridge until serving time.
Makes 8 or 9 three-inch hearts.
Sweetheart Yogurt Cake
1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix with pudding
1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cartons (6 oz. each) strawberry or cherry yogurt
Bake cake in oblong pan as directed on package. Cool completely. Mix whipped topping and yogurt; spread over cake. Refrigerate until serving time. Garnish with compatible fruit, if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.
Strawberry Dumplings
4 eggs
4 Tbsp. melted butter
4 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
12 Tbsp. flour
Combine above ingredients to make dumplings; should be a stiff batter that holds shape.
4 cups strawberries
2 cups sugar
Mash berries with sugar. Bring to boil in a large pot with a tight lid.
Drop dumplings into hot liquid; reduce heat and simmer covered, for 15 minutes. Don't peek. Remove dumplings carefully to dessert dishes and spoon berries over top. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Sweets for the sweet, a candlelight dinner for two, breakfast in bed — it doesn't matter how you express your love this Valentine's Day, just as long as you do it.
As the most romantic of all celebrations arrives, take time to lavish your loved one with the things that mean a lot; it doesn't have to be an expensive gift. Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.
Spend time reflecting on the good times; try re-enacting your first date, renew your wedding vows, for example.
Play a little “romantic trivia” by creating a game based on questions about your relationship: Where was our first kiss? Where did we go on our first date? What kind of car did I own when we first met?
Give rewards for the right answers and lovingly accept the wrong ones.
If all else fails, or even before it has a chance to, you may want to head to the kitchen and stir up a little something sweet for your loved one.
These recipes are sure to get to the heart of the matter:
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Fresh strawberries
Semisweet chocolate chips
Crisco shortening
Ahead of time, rinse (and let air dry) fresh strawberries with stems intact. For each batch, melt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon Crisco over double boiler, stirring constantly. Dip strawberry halfway in chocolate and place on waxed paper until set. Best if served the same day.(White chocolate works great, too.)
Valentine Pancakes
Heart-shaped pancakes are the perfect treat for your valentine. Simply mix pancake batter as usual and make a few large, skillet-sized pancakes. Cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter, stack and serve with a red berry syrup or red jam or jelly, warmed to thinned stage.
Crispy Chocolate Heart Cookies
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
2 Tbs. butter or margarine
3 cups crisp rice cereal
Frosting (optional)
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
Line cookie sheet with waxed paper; grease paper with butter or margarine. Set aside.
Mix chocolate, corn syrup and 2 Tbs. butter or margarine in a heavy medium saucepan, cooking over low heat; stirring constantly until melted.
Or, place chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and butter or margarine in a one and a half-quart microwave-safe casserole.
Microwave, uncovered on high for 1 minute or until chocolate and butter melt, stirring once.
Add cereal to chocolate mixture, stir until evenly coated.
Pat cereal onto prepared cookie sheet.
Chill about 20 minutes or until slightly firm then cut mixture with heart-shaped cookie cutter. Decorate with frosting, if desired.
Chill until firm; wrap each heart in plastic wrap. Return to fridge until serving time.
Makes 8 or 9 three-inch hearts.
Sweetheart Yogurt Cake
1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix with pudding
1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cartons (6 oz. each) strawberry or cherry yogurt
Bake cake in oblong pan as directed on package. Cool completely. Mix whipped topping and yogurt; spread over cake. Refrigerate until serving time. Garnish with compatible fruit, if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.
Strawberry Dumplings
4 eggs
4 Tbsp. melted butter
4 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
12 Tbsp. flour
Combine above ingredients to make dumplings; should be a stiff batter that holds shape.
4 cups strawberries
2 cups sugar
Mash berries with sugar. Bring to boil in a large pot with a tight lid.
Drop dumplings into hot liquid; reduce heat and simmer covered, for 15 minutes. Don't peek. Remove dumplings carefully to dessert dishes and spoon berries over top. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream