Hey Amy!

All of you are aware that St. Valentine’s Day is Sunday (and those that pretend they ‘forgot’ are usually the cheap humans who don’t want to spend a dollar on a valentine).  Every year I try to find something new and sweet to send to those I love.  Not just my partner in crime (he gets treats all year) but also to my dear girlfriends, my mom, and the other ladies of my family.  I thought this week I will share my favorite ideas, recipes and ‘finds’ as we countdown the day to excitement, anticipation and unfortunately for some, disappointment.

For the sake of ordering and delivery time, today I am featuring my favorite sites from which you can order a treat (and most have all levels of financial commitment).  In no particular order…

Fat Witch Babies–Fat Witch is a great bakery in Chelsea.  I have been ordering her babies (a small petite bite-size brownie) for several years prior to making NY my home.   Each are $1.50 and you can put together a lovely assortment and ship for right around $20.

Good Karmal–Enjoy the most delicious candy caramel with a Valentine’s sample for only $10.  Each piece of caramel is wrapped in a “fortune” inscribed with a quote of wise words from sages ranging from Gandhi to Maya Angelou.

Zoe’s Chocolates–Zoe’s offers their heavenly traditional chocolates in several special packages for the lover in you.  Lot’s of choices for less than $20.

Cookie Sandwich Company–These sandwich cookies are truly the size of sliders.  They are sandwiches!  I have been able to soften the hardest individuals with these cookies.  They have a special cookie for Valentine’s with a strawberry filling.  You cannot go wrong here.

I would be overjoyed to be the recipient of any of these specialty items.  You will feel the same sending them.  Get off the site now and go place your orders in order to get the most reasonable shipping charges.

xo–me

1 Comment | In: Just Amy | tags: chocolate, cookies, gifts, Just Amy. | #

I have found a fellow lover of marshmallow cream who seems to love it as much as I!  We share stories of how our mother’s didn’t want us to get into the jar for fear we would devour the entire contents with a spoon and a smile.  I found this recipe in Nany’s stash and tried it a few years ago.  It’s creamy and heavenly and quite easy to make.  Cat this recipe is for you!

Ingredients:

1 13-oz. jar marshmallow cream
1 1/2 c. sugar
2/3 evaporated milk
1/4 c. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1 12-oz pkg. chocolate bits
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional, I don’t mix nuts with my chocolate)
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt over medium heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil 5 minutes continuing to stir constantly.  Remove from heat and add chocolate bits.  Stir until melted.  Add nuts and vanilla.  Pour into greased 8″ square pan.  Chill until firm.  Cut and devour!

You must try this recipe because as we all know, Nany knows a good recipe. 

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking, Nany Knows | tags: chocolate, dessert, Nany, sweets. | #

As we continue to salute the cold stuff falling from the sky, I am excited to share this recipe. It is so simple that kids can lead the way in the kitchen. Nothing beats their sense of pride when they are the teacher and you are the student.

Ingredients:

1 bag of marshmallows
popsicle sticks
1 bar white chocolate
white sprinkles

Melt chocolate over medium heat, stirring constantly. Secure marshmallow on end of stick. Dip top half of marshmallow in chocolate and then toss with sprinkles. Devour!

You can substitute milk or white chocolate as well as flavored crystals. I sometimes use mint crystals with dark chocolate. Sinful!

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: chocolate, dessert, easy, simple, sweets. | #

Over Christmas, Aunt Barb handed me a few recipes that she said were delicious.  Never one to settle for average food, I grabbed them and knew I had to post as soon as possible.  This one in particular is perfect for these cold days and nights most of the nation is experiencing this week!  Nothing kicks out the cold like hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

2 c. whipping cream
6 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz. white chocolate chips

Toss all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Heat on low for 2 hours until chocolate is melted.  Stir well and serve with lots of marshmallow goo!

Begin this recipe before you go out to shovel the sidewalk or build that snowman.  It will be waiting for you when you come back inside.

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: beverages, chocolate. | #

I love peanut butter.  I love it on bread, bananas, graham crackers, a spoon.  My friend from church, Mrs. Honadel, told me recently that women should eat one tablespoon of peanut butter every day as it aids in heart health.  Thanks Mrs. Honadel for the tip!

This recipe is so simple, your kids can make it with your supervision.  You can whip it up at the last minute when your husband/boyfriend/child says “Oh I need to take something to school/work tomorrow” and its bedtime.  I call it heaven becuase it sure tastes like it and it has some of my favorite ingredients.  You will need a candy thermometer and you can get one rather inexpensive at Target or your supermarket.

Ingredients:

1 lb. package powdered sugar
5 oz. can evaporated milk
12 oz. jar creamy peanut butter
7 oz. jar marshmallow creme

In a large sturdy saucepan, combine sugar and milk and cook over medium heat until candy thermometer reaches 240.  Stir constantly while the temperature is rising.  Remove from heat, blend in peanut butter and marshmallow creme.  Pour into greased 13 x 9 baking dish and chill until set.  Cut into squares and indulge!

I have made these and cut them into teeny squares to use as a dipper into chocolate at a fondue party.

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: chocolate, dessert, fondue, sweets. | #

My friend Aissa loves pears.  She fell in love with a pear tart (which I will share soon) the very first time I ever made it.  Since then I have tried to find pear recipes I think she would enjoy.  This one I know she will love, she just needs to get in the kitchen and create it!

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 Tbsp. butter
3 ripe pears, peeled and halved
1 oz. semisweet chocolate, shaved

In a large skillet, combine the OJ and butter.  Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, until bubbling.  Arrange the pears, cut side down in the pan.  Cook for about 1 minutes.  Gently flip the pears.  Cook for another minute.  Remove and sprinkle on chocolate.  Serve.

This could very well be the simplest recipe I have ever posted.  It’s easy and looks very fancy on the plate.  Take a minute today to make this!

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: chocolate, dessert, easy, pear. | #

Occasionally, okay more than occasionally, we like an ice cream treat after dinner.  Or before dinner.  Or with dinner.  The chocolate malted is a quick easy recipe to satisfy that need.  I will end this chocolate salute as I began it with a recipe from Julie Hasson’s 300 Best Chocolate Recipes.

Ingredients:

6 scoops vanilla ice cream
3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. malted milk powder
whipped cream

In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, chocolate chips and malted mil powder.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into glass and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

I hope Ms. Hasson will allow me to suggest a few alterations to her recipe.  When I really need my chocolate fix, I use chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream.  And top it with malted milk balls.  It’s a decadent mess but I drink up every drop!

xo–me

No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: beverages, chocolate, dessert, easy, fast, simple. | #