Lovin’ From The Oven

A little lovin’ from the oven goes a long way this time of year (or anytime!) – so let’s get busy and get to baking. Fellows, we don’t mind baking and cooking for you before the big day, but we really hope you will come up with something on your own for Valentine’s Day – preferably a reservation!

Valentine Salad

1 can cherry pie filling
1 can crushed pineapple
1 lg. Cool Whip
1 pkg. shredded cheese (optional)
½ pkg. miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Mix all ingredients and chill overnight.

(When not using the cheese, I freeze this recipe and it is wonderful!)

Cupid’s Sundae Bar

Vanilla and Strawberry Ice Cream
Chocolate and strawberry sauce
Red and white sprinkles
Red hot cinnamon heart candies
Regular or pink whipped cream

Set up a “Sundae Bar” on table or counter with each ingredient in its own container. Family members or guests can create their own sundaes.

Dessert Pizza

1 (18 oz.) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 can of strawberry or cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350; Press cookie dough evenly into a 12-inch pizza pan. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Cool in pan on wire rack.

In meantime, mix cream cheese and cool whip together and spread over cooled crust nearly to edge. Cover cream mixture with pie filling. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

This is my “holiday” version of fruit pizza. Fresh fruit may be used instead of pie filling.

Valentine Pancakes

Heart shaped pancakes are the perfect treat for your Valentines. Simply mix pancake batter as usual and make a few large, skillet sized pancakes. Then cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter, stack, and serve!

Quick Valentine Salad

Get a plate, a large leaf of lettuce, cottage cheese and tomatoes. Wash the lettuce and put it on a plate. Spread the cottage cheese in the shape of a heart. Be creative. You may want to dice tomato and sprinkle on top of cottage cheese or circle cheese with thinly sliced tomatoes.

Strawberry Swirl Squares

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 Tbs. sugar
¼ cup butter melted
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 (3 oz.) pkg. strawberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
½ lb miniature marshmallows
½ cup milk
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Mix crumbs, sugar and butter. Press over bottom of square baking dish. Chill to set.

Sprinkle 2 Tbs. sugar over fresh berries: let stand ½ hour. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Drain berries and reserve juice. Add water to juice to make 1 cup; add gelatin. Chill till partially set. Combine marshmallows and milk; heat and stir until marshmallows melt. Cool then fold in whipped cream. Add berries to gelatin, then swirl in marshmallow mixture for marble effect. Pour into crust. Chill until set. Cut in squares.

Strawberry Dumplings

4 eggs
4 Tbsp. melted butter
4 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
12 Tbsp. flour
Combine above to make stiff batter to hold 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 with lid on 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

 

Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful . . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris. It is available at all locations of High Country Media – Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level, booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.