Fast Whipped Jello - Karlene Von

1/2 c boiling water
1 small pkg jello

blend these together for 1 min in a blender

add 1 tray ice cubes

mix well and pour quickly into a bowl. take out any un-melted ice cubes. refrigerate for 25 min.

Corn Bean Frito Salad - Lisa Mercer

1 can corn drained
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
mayonnaise (start small it doesn't take much)
chili cheese Frito's

mix and serve immediately

This salad is deceptively simple and surprisingly tasty - try it before you judge on ingredients.

Pistachio Salad - Ashlee Von

1 small box pistachio instant pudding
1 lg can crushed pineapple with juice
1 8 oz tub cool whip
1/2 c chopped walnuts / pecans

mix together quickly and chill for 1 hr or more

Won Ton Salad - Stacey Kjar

1 head romaine lettuce
2 small chicken breasts cooked cubed
chopped green onions
sesame seeds
won ton skins fried to a light brown

Dressing:
1/2 c oil
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c red wine vinegar (plus a little more)
1 tsp salt

Bowtie Pasta Salad - Laura Mills

carrots cubed
chicken cubed cooked
tomatoes
cucumber
olives
uncooked broccoli
bowtie pasta cooked

toss with Italian dressing

Valentines Day Ideas

I know this is so late... Let me know if I missed anything else that we talked about that night.


Chocolate Dipping - Louise Day

Temper your chocolate by bringing it to 115 degrees gradually so that you don't scorch the chocolate. Take the chocolate off the heat and bring it down to 80 degrees by either letting it cool or adding un-melted chocolate. Bring the chocolate back to 87 degrees and it is tempered and ready to dip in.
Un-tempered chocolate will harden with a white dusty coating and will not look as nice.


Chocolate Bowls - Karlene Von

You are supposed to use a blown up balloon for this, but Karlene found that using a silicone baking cup was much easier. Dip your item in chocolate and lay down to cool and harden. Repeat until you have the desired thickness. Yum!

These can be used as part of a date night with a crazy menu. Karlene has the details if you are interested.

Tortillas - Louise Day

4 cups flour (use 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 to 1 1/2 c hot water
1/4 c shortening or butter

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the shortening with a fork until it forms fine crumbs. Gradually stir in water and press into a ball. Kneed on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide into 12 pieces and roll each piece out into a 6 inch circle. Cook over low heat without oil for 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until the surface is speckled brown.