Making a homemade Valentine treat for your sweetheart doesn’t have to be a daunting task. And receiving an easy, handmade gift from the kitchen is one of the most desirable gestures one could wish for on Valentine’s Day.
I wanted to come up with some sweets to share that are fast to make and require few ingredients with my busy weekday schedule.
A popular dessert in England, and now elsewhere around the world, is a little bowl of fluffy goodness called Eton mess. Eton College is a prestigious school where many members of the royal family have continued their educations.
The Eton mess is often served after cricket matches, for picnics, and now at many occasions. It consists of crumbled meringues, strawberries and whipped cream. One explanation for creating this concoction is that during one of the matches in the late 1800s, an excited Labrador dog sat on a spectator’s picnic basket and crushed the strawberry Pavlova they had brought for dessert. The large, broken meringue was then crumbled into a bowl, and topped with the strawberries and whipped cream. It couldn’t be easier, especially if you purchase premade meringues.
Eton has their mess and now Texas has our tumble. This tasty version has Texas flair and flavor, and you can put it together in a matter of seconds.
For another simple treat, we can’t ever go wrong with traditional chocolate and oat no-bake cookies. I grew up with these, and they are always a staple. Plus, all the ingredients are usually right in the cupboard without making a trip to the store.
If ever there is a day to treat your sweethearts with sweets, Valentine’s Day is the one. Or it is at least one of the days on our list of special occasions that calls for something special from the kitchen. After all, they do say the kitchen is the “heart” of the home.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and enjoy food made fresh!
Texas Tumble for Two
¼ cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup crumbled meringue cookies, (coffee, vanilla or chocolate flavor) 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce 2 tablespoons dulce de leche or other caramel sauce ¼ cup pecan halves or chopped pecans (candied pecans work well, too) With an electric mixer, beat whipping cream on mediumhigh speed for a few seconds until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue whipping for 30 to 60 seconds until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Place a few crumbled pieces of meringue cookies into 2 individual serving dishes. Add some of the sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of each sauce. Sprinkle a few of the pecans onto each dish. Repeat layer, using the rest of the ingredients. Place in the fridge to keep cold, or serve immediately.
Traditional No-Bake Cookies
2 cups rolled oats 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter 2 cups granulated sugar ½ cup milk ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter ¼ cup powdered cocoa 1 teaspoon vanilla Place oats and peanut butter in a large bowl and set aside. Cook sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often until butter is melted. Once the mixture comes to a boil, continue cooking for 1 minute. Add vanilla and stir to combine.
Pour the hot mixture over the oats and peanut butter. Stir until well blended.
Let mixture cool for a couple of minutes*. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a buttered piece of wax paper, parchment paper, or baking sheet. Makes about 2 to 3 dozen.
*Cool the mixture only long enough for it to hold its shape.
Angelina LaRue, author of “The Whole Enchilada: Fresh and Nutritious Southwestern Cuisine,” grew up at White River Lake, lives in Idalou and writes a weekly food column for local newspapers.
