Valentine's Day

Want a quick and easy Valentine's dessert? How about Chocolate Fondue! All you have to do is melt some good quality chocolate (about 8 oz) with some whipping cream (about 3/4 cup). You can play around with the consistency of the sauce by using more or less cream. And you can use milk for a lower-fat version, but it isn't quite as rich and smooth. Dip firm fruit (strawberries, orange segments, apples, pineapple), cake, cookies, or marshmallows into the warm chocolate. And if there is any left over sauce, use your imagination!

Cranberry Sauce

I found this recipe in the paper a few years ago. I don't like canned cranberry sauce (or jelly), so was very excited to try this. The cinnamon and honey really make it good, and it only takes about 30 minutes to make. I like to make it a couple of days in advance of the holiday meal.

1 pkg (12 oz/340g) fresh cranberries
1 3/4 cup cranberry juice
1 tbsp grated orange peel
3/4 cup honey
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp cloves

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes (until berries pop and sauce is thickened). Remove bay leaf, let cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Use unsweetened cranberry juice. I substituted orange juice once, it was very good, too. I was cooking it while typing this; wow, does my house smell good!