Valentine’s Day means jewelry advertisements every time you turn around and sucking on cinnamon heart candies until your tongue is burning. It also means chocolates and glittering red and pink decorations.
I am enjoying the celebration this year. My boys never showed much enthusiasm but my six-year-old daughter is excited.
We have had fun filling out Valentine cards for her class, making sure that a boy does not get a mushy one.
It is the first year that she has been able to write them out and read what is on the cards.
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It is great to experience the satisfaction of watching a child learn to read and write. It is like the whole world opens up for them.
We have been reading a book called Ruby Valentine about a little girl who is infatuated with Valentine’s Day and how things can go wrong.
She realizes that showing people how much she appreciates them can be said anytime, not just on special days.
All this Valentine stuff has been rewarding, but in many ways, like Christmas, we forget about just being happy in our lives and instead concentrate on shopping and buying gifts.
Do we have to use money to show appreciation and adoration to others?
Try the following easy recipes for your Valentines and show them how much they are appreciated.
Spicy Apple Cider
This is such an easy hot beverage. Local students served this to me at a holiday gathering.
2 (12.5 oz) cans frozen apple juice concentrate 355 mL
4 c. water 1 L
4 cinnamon sticks
Place the ingredients in a large pot. Mix and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Yields six one cup or 250 mL servings. Keep warm in a slow cooker if desired.
Raspberry Fizz
A refreshing cocktail to serve guests.
Empty one pouch of Crystal Light raspberry ice drink mix into a large glass pitcher.
Add two cups (500 mL) of ice cold water and 1/3 cup (75 mL) of gin or vodka (optional).
Stir in four cups (1 L) of cold sparkling water or club soda and one cup (250 mL) of frozen raspberries.
Source: Kraft Kitchens
Chicken Stir Fry
1 lb boneless, skinless chickenbreasts, cut in strips 500 g
3 c. fresh, chopped or frozen vegetable mixture, thawed* 750 mL
1 1/4 c. ready to use chicken broth 300 mL
1 tbsp. soy sauce 15 mL
2 tbsp. cornstarch 30 mL
1 tsp. garlic powder 5 mL
1/2 tsp. ground ginger 2 mL
4 c. hot cooked rice 1 L
Heat a large skillet, lightly coated with vegetable oil. Add the chicken and brown. Set aside. Add the vegetables to the skillet and stir fry until tender. Add the broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic and ginger to the skillet. Heat until bubbling, stirring often. Return the chicken to the skillet. Turn heat to low. Simmer until chicken is heated through – about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve over rice.
- I like using peppers, onions, carrots and mushrooms as my vegetables.
Source: Cookwithcampbells.ca
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
A family member gave me this recipe.
The cookies are fun to make and we love the cinnamon flavor. Good for a coffee party.
1 c. butter 250 mL
1 c. brown sugar 250 mL
1/2 c. white sugar 125 mL
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla 10 mL
2 1/2 c. flour 625 mL
1/2 tsp. baking soda 2 mL
1/4 tsp. salt 1 mL
Cream the butter and the sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Mix with the dry ingredients. Do not over mix.
Form batter into balls and roll in:
3 tbsp. sugar 40 mL
1 tbsp. cinnamon 15 mL
Bake at 300 to 325 F (150 to 160 C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes on an un-greased cookie sheet.
Makes about five dozen.
Valentine’s Chocolate Muffins
These treats were made for the chocolate lovers in your life.
1 pkg. white angel food cake mix
1/2 c. cocoa 125 mL
4 c. whipped cream 1 L
fresh or frozen strawberries
grated or chunked dark chocolate
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Grease or line the muffin tins.
Make the cake batter as directed on the package, adding 1/2 cup (125 mL) of cocoa before mixing. Fill cups 3/4 full of batter and bake 12 to 18 minutes or until top is golden brown and cracks.
Cool and remove from tins. Place on a plate and top with whipped cream, fresh strawberries and grated dark chocolate.
Makes approximately 30 muffins.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and a member of Team Resources. Contact: team@producer.com.
