Comes But Once a Year!

Here comes Valentine's Day and I can already see pretty red hearts and sparkling garlands about town. I am excited for this day because there are so many different kinds of “Valentines” in my life besides my sweetheart. There are good friends, neighbors, those less fortunate, and of course any ”kid” old or young.

You know those great Valentines that children share in school? Well, we can create our own special treats to share with anyone we know by getting to their hearts through their stomachs!

No matter where we live I hope we can keep the holiday spirit alive 365 days of the year. To quote Lao Tzu: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage”. I hope you enjoy sharing the goodies I am offering to you today.

SADIE'S CHOCOLATE PECAN CARAMEL PIE

One store bought graham cracker pie crust - 9”

Filling:

40 vanilla or plain caramel candies, bite sized

(about 1 1/2 packages of candy bites)

1/2 cup whipping cream

3 1/2 cups chopped & toasted pecans

Topping:

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2 tsp butter

2 Tb. whipping cream

1. Toast and chop pecans

2. Melt caramels with 1/2 cup whipping cream

3. Add pecans to melted caramel mixture and stir well

4. Spread onto bottom of pie shell

5. Melt chocolate chips with butter in a fresh sauce pan.

6. Add 2 Tb. cream and stir to blend.

7. Pour and smooth over top of pie

8. Refrigerate at least one hour to make sure filling is firm.

Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS

Recipe provided by: Linda McCall Glynn and her sister, Sally Barton of Badger Roofing, www.BadgerRoofing.net sharing the joy of being in the kitchen with the people you love.

One part (12 oz.) Bittersweet Chocolate Chips

2 parts (24 oz.) Butterscotch Chips

2 parts (24 oz.) Salted Cocktail Peanuts

Combine chocolate and butterscotch chips in a 2 qt. microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave on power lever 5 for 2 minutes, stir then repeat just until melted being careful to not overhead the chips. Stir the peanuts into the melted chocolate mixture.

Drop spoonfuls onto a wax or parchment paper covered cookie sheet, refrigerate until hard then package in an airtight plastic container or bag.

Tip: These can be wrapped in clear plastic bags tied with red ribbons and then given as gifts!

Please enjoy these with your Valentines!