Chocolate Haystacks with Crushed Strawberries (Veg.)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!! "Want to impress your loved one with chocolate? Take it easy and try this. Wrap them up in a cute box and give them to someone you love. When you get rave reviews about how good they taste, you can divulge how easy and good for you they really are, OR you can keep quiet and relish that feeling of being justa tad sneaky". Tee heee.
(makes 12 pieces)

1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries
3 large shredded wheat cereal biscuits (about 2&1/2 oz.)
6 oz. dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), or milk* chocolate

Place the freeze-dried strawberries in a resealable plastic bag, and use a mallet or rolling pin to crush them until they are mostly pulverized with some small pieces remaining. Line a rimed* baking sheet with wax paper. Use your hands to crush the shredded wheat into threadlike pieces over a med. bowl. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan filled with a few inches of barely bubbly water (med. heat). Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Melt the chocolate, stirring frequently, for about 1 min., then remove the bowl from the pan. Add the crushed shredded wheat to the chocolate and stir until well coated. use your fingers and/or a large spoon to transfer 16 T-size stacks of the cereal-chocolate mixture onto the wax paper. Sprinkle some of the crushed strawberries on top of each stack. Refrigerate for about 20 min. or until set. Store and serve at room temp.

"Embracing God's love for us is the key to loving others."

Don't forget to have some FUN today!!

Love,

Chef Machete Milletti

Endive Leaves Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Sliced Strawberries, and Chopped Walnuts (Veg.)

You can vary this quick-to-assemble vegetarian appetizer recipe with the season. Try sliced nectarines in place of the strawberries in the summer, and halved grapes in the fall. Chopped pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts are all delicious in place of the walnuts, as well.
(no serving size given)

24 large Belgian endive leaves (from 4 heads; about 8 oz.)
3 oz. soft goat cheese
1&1/2 cups sliced small to med. strawberries
1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts
1/4 t. sea salt
4 T. EVOO
1 T. honey or balsamic vinegar* if you would rather take the savory route*
1 T. finely chopped fresh basil or chives*

Arrange endives leaves on a serving platter. Crumble a little bit of goat cheese onto each leaf. Top with strawberries and walnuts. Sprinkle with salt. Drizzle with oil and honey, and sprinkle with basil.

"Who will you help today?"

Love,

MM

Ree Drummond's (The Pioneer Woman) Burgundy Mushrooms (GF)

I am making this TASTY treat for Patti and Steve! Editor's note: I will make these in the crockpot.
(serves 8)

4 lbs. white button mushrooms
2 sticks butter
1&1/2 t. Worcestershire Sauce
1 qt. Burgundy wine (I prob. will use a Merlot*)
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
2 cups boiling water
4 whole chicken bouillon cubes (low sodium*)
4 whole beef bouillon cubes (low sodium*)
1 t. dill seed
5 cloves garlic, peeled
2 t. kosher* salt

Thoroughly clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel*, and throw them into a large stockpot. Add all the remaining ingredients except salt. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over med.-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 6 hours. Remove the lid, then continue cooking, uncovered, for three hours. Add salt to taste at the end, if desired. The mushrooms will be very dark in color. Simmer until needed. Serve straight from the pot or in a serving bowl. Dip crusty bread in the juice. Yum. Mushrooms will keep for days in the fridge. You'll love em!

"God supplies all our needs - one day at a time".

Love,

MM

Banana-Caramel Pudding Parfaits

Oh, YEAH, Baby!! If you are short on time, use instant banana pudding mix, then layer as directed for a ready-in-minutes treat!!
(makes 10) Special equipment: 10 mini Mason jars

3 cups whole* milk
4 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed until smooth
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
2 t. vanilla extract
2 T. cornstarch
1 (11 oz.) box vanilla wafers, crushed
1 cup caramel sauce
2 cups whipped cream

In a saucepan over med.-high heat, bring milk to a simmer. Whisk in banana puree and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring often. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, vanilla extract and cornstarch; stream in 1/4 cup hot milk mixture to temper eggs, whisking constantly. Add egg mixture to pot; stir continuously until pudding thickens. Transfer to a bowl; chill 1 hour. Divide half the crushed wafers among 10 mini Mason jars. Divide half the pudding and caramel sauce among jars; repeat layering. Top with whipped cream and crushed wafers as desired.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."

Love,

MM

High Powered Grain Bowl

Perfect for satisfying lunch or dinner!
(Serves 1-2)

3/4 cup long grain white (brown* or multi-grain*) rice, cooked
2 oz. pulled pork
2 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed well*
Half an avocado, sliced*
1/4 cup cooked corn
1/4 cup Campari* tomato, seeded* and diced*
Freshly* squeezed* lime juice

Top the rice with all the other ingredients. Season to taste with lime juice.

"In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich."

Love,

MM

Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef

Requiring just 4 ingredients and 10 min. of prep, this showstopping roast makes an effortlessly easy centerpiece to a mouthwatering meal.
(serves 12)

1 5 lb. boneless chuck roast
1/2 cup Dijon mustard, divided
4 T. prepared horseradish, drained
1&1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Heat oven to 425 Season beef generously with kosher* salt and freshly* ground pepper on all sides. Place beef on rack set in roasting pan. Brush with half the mustard. Roast 30 min. Reduce oven temp. to 325. Roast 1&1/2 hours. more. In a bowl, stir together prepared horseradish, bread crumbs and remaining mustard. Season to taste with S&P. Remove beef from oven; pat mixture over top. Return beef to oven; roast 10 min or until 125-130 for med.-rare. Lightly cover with aluminum foil; let sit 20 min. before carving.

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

Love,

Chef Machete Milletti

Spicy Mixed Nuts

This different nut mix has an appealing kick thanks to the cumin and chili powder. Try 'em warm!
(makes 3 cups)

3 T. Kerrygold* butter
1 lb. mixed nuts
1/4 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. kosher* salt
1/4 t. smoked* paprika
1/8*-1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1/4 t. chili powder
1/8 t. ground cumin

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add nuts and Worcestershire sauce; cook and stir over low heat for 5-7 min. Drain on paper towels. Place nuts in a large bowl. Combine seasonings; sprinkle over nuts and toss to coat. Serve warm or cool and store in an airtight container at room temp.

"Pride has a way of distorting how we see ourselves while humility offers a realistic perspective."

Love,

MM