PEPPERMINT BARK IS EASY TO MAKE

 This is the time of the year when the

kitchen smells so yummy.  It also means

sticky fingers on the oven, refrigerator

and sweet things on the floor.

I got up early this morning knowing I

was going to try Peppermint Bark to

take to a meeting to share.  It was easy to

make and soooo much cheaper than those Ghirardelli Squares you get at Sam's (and

probably Costco too) for $9.98 for less

than 1/2 pound.  I made 2 - 10 x 15 trays of this which was probably like 2 pounds

worth for a fraction of the cost:

Line 2 10 x 15 jelly roll pans with

parchment paper

1.Melt 6 cups of semi choco chips (name brand - not generic) and

add 1 tsp peppermint extract

and spread on the parchment paper 

and put in the refrigerator to cool

Once cool:

          2.  Melt 6 cups of white choc chips 

        (name brand please) and add one tsp peppermint extract

then spread over the first layer.   Sprinkle

candy cane pieces all over the top of the white

chocolate and press in a little - refrigerate again until cool

When it is cool - just break up the

pieces.  The carton below was just

about 1/2 of what I had and  because there 

were 2 of those trays in the photo below.

(I also had enough to spread on 1 pie tin)  

I went ahead and froze about 1/2 of

what I made in small cartons in the

freezer.

I melted my chocolate each time (because 2 types) in a double boiler but my friend

suggested I tray the microwave next time.

WHEN VIOLETS BLOOM

Years ago, when we lived in Spring, Texas I especially loved February.  Would you believe that winter was over in February and the smell in the air - I will never forget. It was like the Secret Garden....spring had arrived and that meant violets were blooming.

 Here in Colorado winter hasn't even really begun yet in February. But that's o.k. because we can "pretend".  Thank God for an imagination! I don't think violets bloom here in Colorado until May.

 

I have arranged a little table by the window for us today as we "imagine" spring in all its glory. I also have something special since Valentine's Day is just around the corner!  Fudge - yes and the recipe too!  This is so easy and tastes like really expensive chocolate shop type fudge!

Valentines Day Fudge

1 can 14 oz condensed milk

1 pkg 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips

1 Tsp vanilla

1 ½ cups chopped walnuts as desired

Butter a square 8 x 8 x 2 pan. Heat milk, chocolate chips, in 2 quart sauce pan over low heat.  Stir constantly till all melted and mix is smooth, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and nuts.  Spread quickly in pan and refrigerate until firm.  At least 1 hour. Cut into 1 ¼” squares - makes about 3 dozen.

Tea and fudge- what could be better, 

so pour yourself a cup of Paris Tea and relax.

CHOCOLATE TEXAS TURTLES

With Valentines Day just around the corner, you will want to make some wonderful chocolate item!  Yum......and these Chocolate Turtles (or Texas Turtles) are so easy to make.  You see them in all the chain chocolate shops - I'm sure you have purchased one before!

First of all....do you have one of those double boiler pot sets?  They even have them in the discount stores.  I have had one of mine since the 1970's and recently bought another.

Here is what you will need for the inside of the candy:  14 oz pkg  Kraft Caramels, 2 Tb water and 3 cups of chopped pecans.  For the chocolate outer coating you will need:  1 14 oz pkg milk chocolate chips and 1 oz paraffin. 

Directions:  Melt the caramels with 2 Tbs water in top of the double boiler over boiling water.  Now add the chopped pecans and stir.  Drop by loaded teaspoons onto a butter cookie sheet.  Chill these for 1/2 hour in the freezer or overnight in the refrigerator.

Using the cleaned up double boiler, melt 14 oz pkg milk chocolate chips over boiling water with 1 oz paraffin.  Dip the caramel pieces in the mix one at a time and return to cookie sheets -  Cool and store in airtight container...makes around 40 pieces.