Saturday, February 13, 2016

Leader Enterprise - February 2016 - Showing Love & Chocolate Recipes



Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day to all of my family and friends! 

Here's a few easy ideas to help you celebrate Valentine's Day with someone...no matter what...and no matter who.  You don't have to have a 'sweetie' to celebrate this day of love. Showing a good friend or family member by giving them some personalized time can make a difference in their day...their world. And in yours too!

- Have dinner and a movie in. (Kind of a no-brainer huh?) Enjoy some candy conversation hearts after the meal to get some conversation going. Make time to reminisce. 

- Make personalized ice cream by stirring favorite treats into softened ice cream, then come up with a fun name for your new treat. 

- Throw an after-dinner fondue party for couples or single friends. You can never go wrong with chocolate. Dunk brownies, marshmallows, strawberries, dried apricots or graham crackers. 

- Have your guests make their best dish and enjoy a potluck with friends or family. Tie a ribbon around a few (red of course) lollipops to make a 'bouquet' to send home with each person. 

- If staying in with family, eat by candlelight and have everyone dress up in their best. The kids will get a kick out of seeing you in your 'fancy dancies'. 

This recipe is fun for the kids to help with. And it's "Da Bomb"! Nutella is a chocolate hazelnut spread usually found near the peanut butter. 

NUTELLA TOFFEE CRESCENT BARS 

1 (8 ozs) refrigerated crescent rolls (8 count) 
(Pillsbury makes a crescent roll sheet now that would make it easier)
2/3 c. butter
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. chopped nuts
3/4 c. nutella, warmed
**see note below( or use 1 c. semi sweet chips instead...

Preheat oven to 375. Unroll crescent dough into 2 long rectangles. Press in an ungreased 10" X 15" jelly roll pan (you need sides), sealing perforations. 

In small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar ; boil for 1 minute. Pour evenly over dough. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 14 - 16 minutes or until golden brown. Warm nutella in the last few minutes of baking so it drizzles easier. Immediately drizzle top with warmed nutella - using a fork. (**Or you may sprinkle 1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips over the top, letting them melt for a few minutes. Spread slightly.) 

Cool completely; cut into bars. Yield: 40- 48 bars 


SOUTHERN STYLE CHOCOLATE GRAVY 

3 Tb. butter
1/3 c. baking cocoa
3 Tb. all purpose flour
3/4 c. white sugar
(may use part xylitol if desired)
2 c. milk, divided
2 tsp. vanilla extract 

Melt butter in a large skillet over low heat. Mix in cocoa, flour and sugar. (Using a whisk works best). Slowly pour 1 cup of milk into the skillet and whisk well to remove lumps. Whisk in remaining milk, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick, being careful not to scorch. Stir in vanilla until smooth. Serve hot over biscuits.

CHOCO-LISCIOUS CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE 

3 Tb. cornstarch
5 Tb. baking cocoa
1-2/3 c. water
1 (14 ozs) can (fat free) sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 Tb. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 baked pie crust or graham cracker crust

In medium saucepan, mix cornstarch and cocoa together; add water and stir until smooth. (a whisk works great). Add sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks.  Place over medium heat on stove; cook and stir constantly, until thick. Add butter and vanilla; stir until well blended and smooth. Remove from heat; cool slightly and then pour into pre-baked pie crust or enjoy as pudding. Top with whipped cream or make meringue from leftover egg whites. 

I Corinthians 13: 4 - 7 -
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

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