Valentine's Day Table

To avoid crowded restaurants on Valentines Day, I take a raincheck on eating out and prepare a special meal at home.  Valentine's Dinner is always served on the china I selected for my hope chest at age 15. It is the Norwegian "Farmer's Rose" pattern.  They were purchased at a Norwegian gift shop, Dannevigs, owned by my Aunt Marge Danewick.   Many place settings and serving dishes for this pattern were received as wedding gifts.

February's Chocolate Dessert of the Month

It's just a simple chocolate brownie; but it's rich and chewy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!  With a little sauce, caramel or fruit atop; it qualifies for a  special-occasion dessert.  It's got good keeping quality too.

With raspberry sauce for a Valentine's Day dessert

Best Chocolate Brownie Recipe      8" square pan.  325   approx 30 min. 
2-1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
--Melt chocolate and butter together in microwave by putting in for 1 min, then stirring until chocolate melts.  Heat a little longer if necessary.  Mix sugar and eggs and add to chocolate mixture.  Add vanilla, salt and flour and stir to combine.  Spread in greased 8" square pan.  Bake at 350 for 25-40 min; until pulling away from sides and top is set and dry (with little holes starting to appear).