MADISON COUNTY —
It is that time of year when we stop and at least try to like a lot of people in our lives if only for one day. I would hope that it would last the entire year for all of us.
Here are some time-saving ideas to make to treat the special people in our lives such as family members, teachers and even the post person as well as the one that delivers this paper to your door.
Red Velvet cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 pkg of red velvet cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 tub cream cheese frosting
1 1/4 cup of water
sprinkles for garnishes
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pans or line with paper baking cups.
Blend dry mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Spoon batter into muffin pan or paper cups.
Bake cupcakes for 19 to 22 minutes. Cupcakes are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
I know that I really should not be telling this romantic story, but it really did not work.
I took a class one time at EKU called “Mental Health and Personal Adjustment.” I learned about a book called the “Cinderella Complex.” I did one of the suggestions in the book to put romance back in a marriage.
I went out to the back storage building, took all my clothes off, wrapped myself in the large commercial clear plastic wrap and put a large red bow on top of my head. I waddled to the back door, rang the bell thinking this will really blow his mind. It blew alright, the large yell from within and the door slamming and locked.
Well there I was — get the picture. So I waddled back to the building only to not find the beginning of the wrap to unwind myself. I finally found a small hand saw and got the stuff cut off. I bet I lost five pounds that day. I know my 80 year old neighbor lost part of her mind when she saw me going back to the building. So much for the romance idea with plastic wrap!
You can use any flavor cake mix to be creative with cookies.
Quick mix cookies — Given to me by Gina Rose
Ingredients:
1-8 oz. pkg cream cheese at room temperature
1 stick of softened butter
1 large egg
1 box of cake mix.
Directions:
Cream the first three ingredients together, then add the cake mix slowly. You can add chocolate chips and nuts if you wish. My favorite is orange cake mix with white chips and toasted pecans. Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Drop by large tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Enjoy!
One more easy recipe for this romantic day is
Mint chocolate truffles.
Ingredients:
8 oz bittersweet chocolate
8 oz semisweet chocolate
one 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
mint extract (3 to 4 drops)
8 oz melt able milk chocolate-I usually use a candy bar
Decorator's sugar
Red food coloring
Directions:
Heat the dark chocolate, semisweet chocolate and condensed milk in a double boiler over medium heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. The mixture will have a slight marshmallow texture. Stir in the mint extract to your taste. Remove from the heat, and then cover and refrigerate until completely cool, at least two hours.
Once chilled, roll in teaspoon-size balls, and then dip into the melted milk chocolate coasting, using a fork to let the excess chocolate drip off. Color the decorators sugar with a small amount of the red food coloring and sprinkle on top of the truffles.
This is a good time to remember all the memories of past Valentines days. I remember all the paper ones we would cut out and take to school and pass out to all our classmates. Make a lot of memories this time of the year with thoughts and cards to love ones we have in our lives.
Come by again soon for some more interesting table talk and if you see my husband please don't tell him I wrote about the plastic wrap. I might just get stone soup for my valentine this year.
Arritta Morris earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University. She is certified as a Food Service Specialist by the School Nutrition Association.
Lifestyles & Community
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Arritta Morris
Ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day
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