Food for Thought – November 27, 2012

It is always good to see family and close friends, but it is also very good to be back home.

Soon we’ll need to think about food gifts.  The following bars from Sharon Skildum of Maple Grove, MN would fit the bill for chocolate, coconut or peanut butter lovers.

Chocolate Coconut Bars

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups flaked coconut

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 plain chocolate candy bar (7 oz)

2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

Combine crumbs, butter and sugar.  Press into greased 13″ x 9″ x 2″ baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine coconut, milk and pecans; spread over crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; cool completely.  In a small saucepan, melt candy bar and peanut butter over low heat; spread over coconut layer.  Cool until set.

Yield: about 3 dozen bars

This next recipe is from the Nestle Chocolate Co.

Chocolate Quickie Clusters

Melt 1 cup Nestle Chocolate Morsels with 3 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp water; stir to blend.  Add 2 cups cereal*; stir gently till well coated.  Drop by rounded teaspoons on aluminum foil.  Chill until firm.

Yield: 2-1/2 to 3 dozen

*Variations: Substitute for cereal: 1/2 cup chopped, preserved fruits and 1/2 cups chopped nuts or 1 cup flaked coconut and 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries or 1 cup miniature marshmallows and 1 cup salted peanuts or 2 cups corn flakes, 1/2 cup chopped pecans and 1/2 cup chopped dates or 1 cup chunk-style peanut butter or 2 cups raisins or one 3 oz. can (2 cups) chow mein noodles.

This next recipe is from my sister-in-law, Renee’ Gustin.

Peanut Butter Bon Bons

1/4 lb. oleo

1 (1 lb.) box confectioner’s sugar

1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

Few drops milk

1 (6 oz.) pkg butterscotch or chocolate morsels

1/4 cup shaved paraffin

Combine oleo, confectioner’s sugar and peanut butter.  Add enough milk to form into balls.  Melt butterscotch or chocolate morsels with paraffin.  Dip balls into paraffin mixture.  Place on buttered wax paper or foil.

This last thought – many have written about angels through the centuries.  I like this thought by Isaac Watts.

Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber,

Holy angels guard thy bed.

Heavenly blessings without number

Gently fall upon thy head.

Please send your recipes or recipe requests to: The Vista, 24 Peavine Plaza, Suite 104, Crossville TN or email to: [email protected].

Until next time,

Ellie