Food for Thought – February 19, 2013

Hope all my readers had a nice Valentine’s Day.  I received a pleasant surprise.  My husband got me a gold heart necklace with our names engraved on it and our birth stones.

Since Presidents’ Day has just passed, I thought about Lincoln and Washington – and so food with cherries and chocolate.

The following recipe fits the bill for chocolate and is good for a party.

Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Brownies

4 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate

3/4 cup butter, cubed

2 cups sugar

3 egg whites

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate baking chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

Glaze:

1 cup 60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate baking chips

1/4 cup butter, cubed

In microwave-safe bowl, melt unsweetened chocolate and butter; stir until smooth.  Cool slightly.  In large bowl, combine sugar and chocolate mixture.  Stir in egg whites and vanilla.  Stir in flour ad chips.

Spread into greased 13″ x 9″ x 2″ baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool or wire rack.

For glaze, melt chips and butter; stir until smooth.  Immediately spread over brownies.  Cool before cutting.

Yield: about 5 dozen

Here is a no-bake cherry dessert from Judy Harris of McRae, GA.

No-Bake Cherry Dessert

2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp butter

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 Tbsp confectioners sugar

1 cup whipped topping

1-1/4 cup cherry pie filling

In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar and butter; press into bottom of ungreased 9″ x 5″ x 3″ loaf pan.  In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners sugar; fold in whipped topping.  Spread over crust.  Top with pie filling.  Chill until serving.

Yield: 4 servings

This last thought from Kay E. Richardson.

The Soul of a Child

Like a beautiful flower

That blooms in the spring…

The soul of a child

Is a delicate thing.

Teach them truth

And teach them to pray…

So they will have wisdom

To guide their way.

Give them memories

In their heart…

That nothing in life

Can pull apart.

Please send your recipes or recipe requests to The Vista, 5413 Peavine Road, Crossville, TN 38571 or email to: [email protected].

Until next time,

Ellie