VALENTINE FACT

*Sweetheart Conversation Hearts,sold only between New Year's Day and Valentine's Day, are so popular that Revere,Mass,-based NECCO manufactures 8 billion of them year-round.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberries & Snacks

VALENTINE COLLECTION- 1 2/3 cups(10-oz pkg) Dark Chocolate Morsels  1 TB vegetable shortening  Fresh strawberries (rinsed and patted dry), pretzels,ripped potato chips and/or cookies*  Assorted sprinkles, finely chopped nuts(optional)  LINE  baking sheets with wax paper.  MICROWAVE  morsels and shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 45 seconds; STIR. If morsels retain some of their original shape,microwave at additional 10-15-second intervals,stirring just until melted.  DIP  strawberries (by stem or leaves) or snacks into melted chocolate, filling bowl to easily dip. Use side of bowl to remove excess. Place on prepared baking sheets. If you are using sprinkles or nuts, sprinkle them on when the chocolate is still wet. Refrigerate for 15 min or until set. Makes 1 cup dip. * Assorted bite-size fresh fruit rinsed and patted dry,dried fruit, large marshmallows, cut-up pound cake and nuts can also be used for dipping. (Source: Tollhouse)

Dark Chocolate Cherry Fudge ;)

VALENTINE COLLECTION- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar  2/3 cup (5 fl-oz can) evaporated milk  2 TB butter or margarine  1/4 tsp salt  2 cups miniature marshmallows  1 2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg) dark chocolate morsels  3/4 cup (4oz.) dried cherries,coarsely chopped 1 tsp vanilla extract   LINE  8-inch square baking pan with foil.  COMBINE  sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4-5 min. Remove from heat. STIR in marshmallows,morsels, dried cherries and vanillia extract. Stir vigorously for 1 min or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.  VARIATION: For an equally delicious fudge, try substituting 3/4 cup dried berry blend for the cherries. (Source: Tollhouse)  Makes 24 servings,  2 pieces per serving

VALENTINE FACT

*In Las Vegas,Nev., the self-proclaimed Wedding Capital of the World, an average of 328 weddings take place every day, with Valentines Day and New Year's Eve being the two most popular dates.

Traditional New Orleans King Cake

MARDI GRAS- Legend has it that if you hide a tiny plastic baby in this classic cinnamon-swirl cake, whoever finds it has 1 year of good luck! (Just don't bake the plastic baby in the cake-after the cake has been baked and cooled,cut a small slit in the bottom and then insert the token).    PREP: 40 min+ rising  BAKE: 25 min + cooling    2 pkgs (1/4 oz each) active dry yeast  1/2 cup warm water(110-115 degrees) 1/4 cup sugar,divided 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup warm 2% milk(110-115 degrees) 2 egg yolks 1 1/4 tsps salt 1 tsp grated lemon peel 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg  3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 egg,beaten  GLAZE:  1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 tsps lemon juice 2-3 TB water  Green,purple and yellow sugars  In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add 1/2 cup sugar,butter,milk,yolks,salt,peel,nutmeg and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough ( dough will be sticky).  Turn onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 min. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16-in by 10-in rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over dough to eithin 1/2 in. of the edges. Roll up dough jelly-roll style, starting with a long side,pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet;pinch the ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush with egg. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 -30 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with colored sugars. YIELD: 1 cake (12 slices) ( Source: Taste of Home)

Fast Flourless Chocolate Cake :)

VALENTINE COLLECTION- This recipe is easy, the chocolate is dense and wonderful!!!  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch deep-sided springform pan, line with parchment paper,and butter the parchment. In a large saucepan, simmer 1lb bittersweet chocolate,coarsely chopped; 1cup unsalted butter; and 1/4 cup chocolate,hazelnut,or coffee liqueur. When mixture is melted and smooth, stir in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Set aside to cool. Beat 7 eggs (at room temperature) with 1 cup granulated sugar on medium for 5 min or until fluffy. Gradually add eggs to chocolate mixture. Spoon batter into pan. Bake cake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached. Cool for 1 hour in pan, then loosen springform and remove. When cool, sprinkle cake with confectioner's sugar. Store in refrigerator. Serves 12. (Source: Parade magazine)